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Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit at the End Violence Solutions Summit. Photo: Ninni Andersson, Government Offices of Sweden

Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit at the End Violence Solutions Summit. Photo: Ninni Andersson, Government Offices of Sweden

Speaking in Stockholm, Sweden, on 14-15 February, World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit addressed the End Violence Solutions Summit, part of the Global Partnership to End Violence Against Children.

Tveit is a member of the highest decision-making body of the Global Partnership, and the summit in Stockholm sets out an urgent call to action, bringing together governments, the United Nations, civil society, the private sector, academics and children themselves to design and share bold solutions for preventing and responding to violence against children.

“Violence against children is the most serious and devastating attack on a human being’s dignity as given by God the creator,” said Tveit. “Therefore such violence is also a sin against God.”

“Churches offer a lot in response to the needs of children: education, health care, moral guidance and support to parenting, just to name a few examples. But there are also shortfalls and missed opportunities,” said Tveit. “On behalf of the WCC, I am very pleased to announce that we commit to supporting our 348 member churches in their efforts to prevent and respond to violence against children.”

At the summit, Tveit took a lead in highlighting the destructive effects of corporal punishment, flagging this as an area where both changes in attitudes and legislation are necessary, and where the churches can make a strong contribution.

“Our commitment to prevent and end violence against children responds to the preferential focus on children that we find in the teaching and practice of Jesus Christ,” said Tveit.

”In March 2017 the WCC launched the Churches’ Commitments to Children, inviting the leaders of all our member churches to disseminate and discuss an action plan, including concrete measures to prevent and end violence against children,” Tveit noted.

“Responses received so far show a very high degree of readiness and enthusiasm for collaborative action by members of the WCC. Churches must be at the forefront of offering care and protection for those who are most vulnerable among us,” Tveit added.

Frederique Seidel, WCC special advisor on children’s rights, is an active member of the Civil Society Organisations (CSO) Platform of the partnership, and supports WCC member churches in joining national CSO Platforms within the framework of the Churches’ Commitments to Children.

Seidel reflected, “In 2015, world leaders acknowledged the severity of epidemic levels of violence against children and committed to end all forms of violence and exploitation of children by 2030 as part the Sustainable Development Goals. The summit here in Stockholm is a major milestone towards achieving that commitment, by raising awareness, showcasing solutions, and by celebrating pathfinding countries' success.”

”At this time in the life of the ecumenical movement, all people of good will are invited to join in a Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace, a movement uniting initiatives of individuals, member churches, and partners to address common challenges,” continued Tveit.

“Every day like today,” Tveit said, “when we hear about the shooting at the school in Florida, we see how urgent this agenda is. Our prayers and sympathy are with all those children, parents and teachers.”

”I invite all of you in your respective countries to reach out to churches who express readiness to increase their efforts for child protection… They will help you reach the most vulnerable in the most remote places, as well as those children whose suffering is visible to all,” Tveit concluded.

Learn more about WCC’s engagement for children

Resources and tools available for the implementation of Churches’ Commitments to Children