Reaching decisions by consensus, a major shift in the culture and ethos of the World Council of Churches (WCC), will be at the centre of the upcoming meeting of its Central Committee, which will take place 15-22 February in Geneva.

Ecumenical agencies and churches working in the field of relief and development have called for the creation of a new international alliance of church-related organizations to address issues of poverty and injustice, provisionally named "ACT Global".

The launch of an ecumenically-sponsored TV documentary on illegitimate debt and a call to take part in a Global Week of Action on Trade next April were among the highlights of a seminar on "Moving further on illegitimate debt" held during the fifth World Social Forum in Porto Alegre on 30 January 2005.

Is reconciliation possible? What does forgiveness mean, and what is needed for it to happen when the offence was a frightful one and the pain seems insurmountable? These and other fundamental questions will be part of the themes treated at the next Conference on World Mission and Evangelism (CWME).

"What is the magma within religions that can erupt so suddenly and brutally?" This is one of the questions raised at a panel discussion on "International ethics, religious conflicts and peace" at the fifth World Social Forum (WSF) in Porto Alegre, Brazil. Organized by a global ecumenical coalition that includes the WCC, the panel explores the role of religion in conflicts, and seeks to identify resources within religion for...

> WCC Central Committee meeting > WCC-RCC Joint Working Group > Workshop on sexual violence in Africa > WCC general secretary to visit Scandinavian countries

In a joyous procession of hope after the opening worship service of an ecumenical youth event preceding the World Social Forum (WSF), some 50 young people dance, clap and sing Por isso vem (God calls us for a new moment, so come and join the circle!) - a Brazilian song of hope for a better world.

"Affirming life in dignity: enhancing justice and rights in a globalized world" is the overall theme for the World Council of Churches' (WCC) participation in the 5th World Social Forum taking place 26-31 January in Porto Alegre, Brazil. Amongst others, a panel on women's spirituality and dignity and their key role in resistance, a seminar dealing with peace and reconciliation, and a panel on ecological debt will be offered by the WCC....

“I would like to express my thanks to this group of Christian leaders and volunteers who are here to promote the principles of the prince of peace,” said former US president Jimmy Carter. Present in the region as an international monitor for the Palestinian elections, Carter was speaking at a 20 January gathering in Jerusalem of members of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI),...

> Orthodox pre-Assembly meeting > Week of Prayer for Christian Unity > Young Missiologists’ Conference > WCC at the World Social Forum