The University of Blantyre Synod (UBS) proudly celebrates the international academic contribution of its Vice-Chancellor, Professor Isabel Apawo Phiri, who was invited as a plenary speaker at the 16th General Assembly of the International Association for Mission Studies (IAMS), held at the University of South Africa (UNISA) in Pretoria from 17–21 July 2026.
The invitation represents a significant recognition of Professor Phiri’s contribution to theological scholarship, mission studies, African women’s theology and global ecumenical engagement. The IAMS General Assembly brought together scholars, theologians, missiologists and practitioners from different parts of the world to reflect on contemporary challenges facing mission, Christianity and society.
The 2026 Assembly was held under the theme “Walking Together in Mission: Facing Global Challenges for a Sustainable World.” According to the programme guide, the gathering marked the third time that the IAMS General Assembly had been held on African soil, following previous assemblies in Harare, Zimbabwe, and Hammanskraal, South Africa.
IAMS is an international, interconfessional and interdisciplinary professional society dedicated to the scholarly study of Christian witness and its impact on the world, as well as intercultural theology. Established in 1972, the association brings together more than 400 scholars and over 50 corporate member institutions, with its international General Assembly held every four years.
Prof. Phiri’s Plenary Presentation
Professor Phiri was one of the distinguished plenary speakers at the Assembly, alongside internationally recognized scholars including Prof. Bokyoung Park, Prof. Dana Robert, Dr. Xiaoli Yang, Dr. Estêvão Raschietti and Fr. Gabriel Hanganu.
Her plenary lecture was titled:
“Walking Together in Mission: Water Scarcity and Sustainability in Sub-Saharan Africa through the Lens of African Women’s Theology.”
The presentation examined water scarcity in Africa not simply as an environmental or technical challenge, but as an issue deeply connected to theology, gender, justice, poverty, sustainability and human dignity.
Drawing on African women’s theology, Professor Phiri highlighted the disproportionate impact that water scarcity has on women, who in many African communities carry much of the responsibility for collecting and managing water for households.
Her paper argues that the burden experienced by women in accessing water is connected to broader systems of social, economic and environmental inequality. It therefore calls for approaches to water management that recognize women not merely as victims of environmental challenges, but as important agents and decision-makers in developing sustainable solutions.
The paper also explores the understanding of water within African indigenous spirituality and Christian theology. It presents water as a sacred, life-giving resource and challenges approaches that treat water solely as a commercial commodity. From this perspective, access to clean and safe water becomes closely connected to questions of justice, human dignity and the preservation of life.
Reimagining Mission Through Collaboration
A major argument of Professor Phiri’s presentation was the need to rethink what it means to participate in mission in today’s world.
The concept of “walking together” calls for mission to move beyond traditional models where mission was understood primarily as a one-way activity. Instead, Professor Phiri presents mission as a collaborative and mutually enriching process in which communities, churches, scholars, development partners and people of different backgrounds work together to address challenges affecting human life and creation.
In this understanding, responding to issues such as water scarcity is not separate from Christian mission. Addressing poverty, environmental degradation, inequality and the suffering of vulnerable communities forms part of a holistic understanding of mission.
The paper further calls for greater participation of women in water governance and environmental decision-making, arguing that sustainable development initiatives are more effective when they are grounded in the lived experiences and knowledge of the communities directly affected.
Professor Phiri also draws on African concepts such as Ubuntu, Botho and Umunthu, which emphasise interconnectedness and the principle that human wellbeing is inseparable from the wellbeing of the wider community and environment. The paper extends this understanding to environmental stewardship, viewing rivers, lakes and other natural resources as part of a wider moral and communal responsibility.
Bringing an African Perspective to a Global Conversation
Professor Phiri’s contribution is particularly significant because it places African experiences and African women’s theological perspectives at the center of an international academic conversation.
The paper draws from scholarship within the Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians while also incorporating insights from African indigenous spirituality, environmental thought and lived experiences from different African contexts. Professor Phiri connects these perspectives with her own experiences of living and working in places including Malawi, Namibia, South Africa and Switzerland, where she has encountered very different realities regarding access to water.
The presentation therefore demonstrates the importance of African scholarship in addressing global challenges. Rather than viewing Africa only as a recipient of ideas and solutions developed elsewhere, it highlights the continent’s capacity to contribute theological, cultural and practical knowledge to global conversations on sustainability and environmental justice.
A Distinguished Academic and Ecumenical Leader
Professor Isabel Apawo Phiri has an extensive academic and international leadership background. She has served as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Blantyre Synod since 2 February 2023. Before joining UBS, she served as Deputy General Secretary of the World Council of Churches from 2017 to 2022 and previously as Associate General Secretary from 2012 to 2016.
She has also held senior academic positions, including at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, as well as academic appointments at the University of Malawi and University of Namibia.
Her participation as a plenary speaker at IAMS 2026 therefore provides an important platform for UBS to be represented within a global community of scholars working in mission studies, theology and related disciplines.
Raising the Profile of UBS
For the University of Blantyre Synod, Professor Phiri’s participation at IAMS 2026 is more than an individual academic achievement. It reflects the University’s growing engagement with international scholarship and its commitment to positioning itself as an institution that contributes to important conversations affecting the Church, society and the wider world.
The University’s commitment to “Inspiring Holistic Transformation” is reflected in the work of its academic leadership and faculty, particularly in efforts to connect academic knowledge with real challenges facing communities.
Professor Phiri’s presentation demonstrates how theological scholarship can engage directly with contemporary issues such as climate change, water scarcity, gender justice, sustainability and human dignity.
As UBS continues to strengthen its academic programmes, research, partnerships and international engagement, opportunities such as the IAMS General Assembly provide an important avenue for the University to share African perspectives while learning from scholars and institutions from around the world.
The University of Blantyre Synod congratulates Professor Isabel Apawo Phiri on her invitation and contribution as a plenary speaker at IAMS 2026 and recognizes this achievement as another important milestone in the University’s journey towards greater academic excellence, international visibility and meaningful contribution to society.