With the rise of religious fundamentalism and religious extremism in the world, as well as recently emerging tensions in India over the issues of conversions, a genuine need exists to review Christian-Hindu relationships afresh, according to the participants of a consultation organized by the WCC on Christian self-understanding in the context of Hindu religion.

The WCC supports Egyptian Christians in their quest for justice, rejection of violence and initiatives for dialogue in the wake of 9 October clashes between peaceful protestors and the army in Cairo which resulted in 25 people dead, mostly Coptic Christians, while the country was preparing to return to democracy.

During his recent visit to Pakistan, the WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit called for the protection of religious minorities and the need for the state to take necessary measures against religious intolerance.

Reflecting on the socio-political situation of Christians in Pakistan, the WCC general secretary finds God in difficult situations and explores the mission of the church in the country’s special context. He was speaking at a mission consultation organized by the Church of Pakistan on 9 October in Lahore.

After a meeting with Ricardo Patiño, minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Integration of Ecuador, WCC officials call the Yasuni Ishpingo Tambococha Tiputini initiative of the Ecuador government a courageous model of development.

On 28 September, the Tuvalu government declared Tuvalu to be in a state of emergency due to water shortage - the result of a five-month drought in the Pacific Island nation. Churches are calling for both swift action and long-term plans.

Official statistics indicate the existence of three million people who were pushed away from their land and property in Colombia due to armed conflict that has taken place for years in the country. Human rights organizations claim, however, that the number of "displaced people" is actually close to 5 million people.

During a recent visit to Indonesia, the moderator of the WCC Central Committee, the Rev. Dr Walter Altmann brought the solidarity of the worldwide fellowship to the members of the Indonesian Christian Church (GKI) in the city of Bogor where worship activities have been restricted recently.

“The speed with which you run depends on what is chasing you.” One of Ezra Chitando's favorite African proverbs also captures his beliefs regarding the church's long-term commitment to meeting HIV-related challenges.

“Mental illnesses affect people of all ages, in all societies, from the boy soldier in Sierra Leone traumatized by years of bloody civil war, to the mother affected by HIV/AIDS. Therefore it is crucial for the churches to challenge the stigma attached to mental illness,” the Rev. Kjell Magne Bondevik reminds the churches.