WCC United Nations Advocacy Week 2009
15 - 20 November 2009
Opening prayer service
Sunday evening, 15 November, the participants of the WCC UN Advocacy Week, joined together in an opening prayer service.
Bread and stones
During the opening prayers, participants placed stones on the altar as a reminder of those who are struggling for just peace in the world today. Then they broke bread together.
Opening sermon
Rev. Elenie Poulos, of the Uniting Church in Australia, gave the sermon at the opening prayer service.
Olav Kjorven, UNDP
Olav Kjorven, assistant secretary-general and director of the Bureau for Development Policy at the UN Development Programme, was the first keynote speaker at the WCC UN Advocacy Week.
Lois M. Dauway, United Methodist Church
"If we in the churches are truly going to make a change in this world, we must realize that it takes more than eloquent resolutions and sermons on peace and justice," Lois M. Dauway said in another keynote address.
At the United Nations
UNAW participants from the Pacific region speak with Ambassador Collin Beck (left), permanent representative of the Solomon Islands to the UN after a seminar on climate change issues.
Morning prayer
Each day of the WCC UN Advocacy Week begins with a prayer service at the chapel of the Church Center for the United Nations.
Morning Prayer
The morning prayers on 17 November were led by members of indigenous communities from around the world.
Joseph Donnelly, Caritas Internationalis
Joseph Donnelly, Caritas Internationalis representative to the United Nations, said the the church had to be steadfast and persistent in its advocacy on behalf of the Colombian people.
Jenny Neme, JUSTAPAZ
Jenny Neme, director of the Christian Centre for Justice, Peace and Nonviolent Action (JUSTAPAZ) and member of the Mennonite Church in Colombia, said that, over the last decade, churches have established a vision of seeking peace with justice for Colombia by educating communities and churches at the local level, continuing theological reflection and documenting the suffering.
Bishop Juan Alberto Cardona, Methodist Church in Colombia
"In Colombia the church permeates society and is responsible for the prophetic point of view," said Methodist Bishop Juan Alberto Cardona.
