The current global financial crisis must be more than just an occasion for "short term financial bail out actions." It must be viewed as an opportunity to seek "long term transformation based on sound ethical and moral principles". As a result, a "new financial architecture" should be developed "under the aegis of the United Nations where broad participation of all countries and the civil society could take...

No doubt the global financial crisis is and will continue impacting negatively all regions of the world, but according to an advisory body of the World Council of Churches (WCC) it also represents an opportunity to deeply transform the international financial system for good.

Governments, civil society organizations and Christian agencies have expressed their disappointment that the ministerial declaration adopted at the World Water Forum in Istanbul does not include a reconfirmation of water as a human right.

The United Church of Zambia (UCZ) is keen to deepen its ties with the ecumenical family, says the church general secretary, Rev. Chrispin Mbalazi.

The Commission on World Mission and Evangelism and the Commission on Faith and Order recently held a joint consultation on mission and ecclesiology in Berekfürdö, Hungary. The respective working groups on ecclesiology of both Commissions recognized one another's work in view of the fact that mission lies at the very heart of the church. They shared insights and looked toward supporting one another in future activities.

During her first visit to the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva, the president of the Focolare movement Dr Maria Emmaus Voce invited the staff of the World Council of Churches (WCC) and other ecumenical organizations to live out the words of Jesus Christ so "that they give us that unity which bears witness to God in the world."

Until 31 March, young Christians aged 18 to 30 have the chance to apply for being one of 25 youth from all over the world in the next WCC Stewards Programme from 19 August to 4 September 2009. They will participate in the WCC Central Committee meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, contributing their work in the areas of worship, conference room, documentation, press office, sound, and other administrative and support tasks.

As the season of Lent draws near, the Ecumenical Water Network (EWN) invites Christians to mark the occasion with reflection and action on water justice.

Representatives of churches in Iraq confirmed their commitment to work together with all Iraqi citizens for reconciliation and rebuilding peace in the country.

In a letter congratulating Metropolitan Kyrill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad on his election as the new patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church, World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia expressed the appreciation of the worlwide ecumenical fellowship for this "outstanding Orthodox theologian, leader and hierarch".