Global advocacy for justice and accountability

In a context of economic globalization, the rapid development of information technologies, threats to peace, security and multi-lateralism, the WCC through its Commission of the Churches in International Affairs (CCIA) attempts to ensure that the voices of the churches and ecumenical organizations are taken into consideration by governments and intergovernmental organizations - the United Nations, international financial institutions, the International Criminal Court and others.  

It does this by bringing churches and the ecumenical movement together to speak out from an ethical and theological perspective on social, economic and political issues.  It offers a platform to convey the different experiences of the churches to the UN in Geneva (including UNCTAD, UNHCHR, UNHCR, WHO) and in New York (in relationship to the UN General Assembly, secretary general, Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and debt relief efforts).  

Some cases require the WCC to pay attention to intergovernmental bodies such as the World Bank, the IMF and the International Criminal Court. The WCC also does coordination and networking at the UN and at the World Social Forum. 

Over the coming three years, this project will put special emphasis on nuclear disarmament, economic justice, Indigenous Peoples' claims, the International Criminal Court, and issues raised in whatever geographical region is the annual focus of the 2001-2010 Decade to Overcome Violence.  

Methods include statements, public letters, and declarations that express the position of the WCC and the churches; seminars and meetings to analyze concerns from ethical and theological perspectives; and an annual Advocacy Week in New York.

Protecting peoples' lives and human dignity / Churches responding to new threats to peace and human security / Building hospitable communities: responding to migration / Public life, religion and politics
The following report was presented to and received by the Assembly. Its resolutions were proposed by the Public Issues Committee and approved by the Assembly through consensus.
The following report was presented to and received by the Assembly. Its resolutions were proposed by the Public Issues Committee and approved by the Assembly through consensus.
WCC peacebuilding and disarmament work seeks to help churches, societies and the international community to manage and resolve conflicts, and become more skilled in transforming them through non-violent action.

 
Related publications

The Churches in International Affairs: reports 1999-2002

This eighth volume of "The Churches in International Affairs" continues the annual reports produced in the first 22 years of the Commission of the Churches on International Affairs (CCIA). It includes major studies, conclusions of international consultations, policy statements, resolutions and decisions adopted by WCC governing bodies, and actions taken by the WCC in the field of international affairs. [Note: The individual documents published in this book will shortly be accessible in the WCC documents database]

 
Related activities
Nuclear arms control
Advocating at various levels of national and international governance for nuclear disarmament
WCC UN liaison office, New York
Making the voices of the churches and ecumenical organizations heard in order to influence UN policy decisions.
Indigenous peoples advocacy
Advocacy and networking for Indigenous Peoples is concentrated around three major UN forums