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The Church of Sweden: Ecumenical Catalyst, International Agent of Peace

15 February 2024

General Secretary

Religiöse Führungspersönlichkeiten setzen sich gemeinsam und in Solidarität mit Geflüchteten für Klimafrieden ein und geben der UN-Konferenz neue Impulse

Als religiöse Führungskräfte von rund 40 glaubensgeleiteten Organisationen aus der ganzen Welt während einer Zusammenkunft in Genf beschlossen, das individuelle Recht auf Asyl zu verteidigen, war dies ein Höhepunkt am Vorabend des Globalen Flüchtlingsforums, der weltweit größten Versammlung dieser Art. Die Teilnehmenden trafen sich am 12. Dezember auf einer eintägigen Veranstaltung beim Ökumenischen Rat der Kirchen (ÖRK) unter Vorsitz eines armenischen Erzbischofs und eines UN-Diplomatin, die früher einmal türkische Abgeordnete war.

15 December 2023

Les responsables religieux-ses s’unissent pour la paix climatique, en solidarité avec les personnes réfugiées, et encouragent la conférence de l’ONU

Les responsables religieux-ses d’une quarantaine d’organisations confessionnelles du monde entier se sont mis-es d’accord pour continuer à défendre le droit individuel de demande d’asile, lors d’une réunion à Genève. C’était un moment fort à la veille du Forum mondial sur les réfugiés, le plus grand rassemblement international de ce type au monde. Ils et elles se sont réuni-e-s le 12 décembre, au Conseil œcuménique des Églises (COE), sous la présidence d’un archevêque arménien et d’une diplomate des Nations unies, ancienne législatrice turque.

15 December 2023

Religious leaders uniting for climate peace in solidarity with refugees, boost UN conference

The moment religious leaders from around 40 faith-based organisations worldwide agreed to keep defending the individual right to seek asylum during a gathering in Geneva marked a high point on the eve of the Global Refugee Forum, the world's biggest such international gathering.They met at a one-day event on 12 December at the World Council of Churches (WCC), chaired by an Armenian archbishop and a UN diplomat who was once a Turkish legislator.

14 December 2023

Statement: public statement

Statement: Religious Leaders Unite for Climate Peace in Solidarity with Refugees

Reinforcing the traditional role of faith communities in offering sanctuary and, indeed hospitality to refugees, 90 faith-based leaders today committed to offering their continued and additional support to refugees, including children, on their journey to safety, including in reception and admission, meeting protection or service delivery needs and supporting communities to find solutions such as private sponsorship or scholarship programmes.

12 December 2023

Ecumenical movement

Ecumenism in the Philippines means hope and resilience

As the World Council of Churches celebrates its 75th anniversary, a series of feature stories from different regions of the world will portray ecumenism at the local level—within churches, communities, and individuals who embody the spirit of ecumenism in unique ways. The feature story below offers a glimpse of some facets of ecumenism present in the Philippines.

22 August 2023

A delegation from the World Council of Churches and ACT Alliance visited Türkiye, expressing solidarity and support for churches on the ground responding to grave needs in the wake of the 6 February 2023 earthquake.

Hungarian Interchurch Aid helps earthquake survivors in Türkiye on path to recovery

During a solidarity visit to Türkiye in early April, a delegation from the World Council of Churches and ACT Alliance saw firsthand the devastation of the February earthquake, the needs of the affected population, and how churches are responding to that need.

13 April 2023

Report

WCC Communique: His Holiness Patriarch Kirill meets with WCC acting general secretary

On October 17, 2022, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia met with Fr Ioan Sauca, acting general secretary of the World Council of Churches.

19 October 2022

General Secretary

Statement: public statement

Was zum Frieden dient: die Welt zu Versöhnung und Einheit bewegen

"Was zum Frieden dient: die Welt zu Versöhnung und Einheit bewegen", Erklärung der 11. Vollversammlung des Ökumenischen Rates der Kirchen (ÖRK) in Karlsruhe, Deutschland.

22 September 2022

Assembly

WCC joins side event of the Human Rights Council on the intersectionality of human rights and climate justice

Organised by the Geneva Interfaith Forum during the 50th session of the Human Rights Council, the event addressed the importance of defending the rights of persons who are forced to move in the context of climate change.

30 June 2022

War, food, health, and faith examined in peace quest raised at foundation's conference

The World Council of Churches (WCC) had a pivotal place at a conference organized by the Foundation Dialogue for Peace in Geneva, drawing international speakers that would gladden the organizers of any world gathering as they interlinked trying to feed and heal people and get peace during war.

14 June 2022

Event

Climate induced displacement: Lifting voices of hope for the protection of human rights and climate justice

22 June 2022

Side Event for the 50th Session of the Human Rights Council.

Message

Address by Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca at the Forum of collaboration between international organisations on humantarian aid

Address by Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca, acting general secretary of the World Council of Churches at the Forum of collaboration between international organisations on humantarian aid, 10 June 2022.

10 June 2022

General Secretary

Mother with eyes closed sitting at the baby crib

Les Églises répondent aux besoins humanitaires croissants en Ukraine et dans les pays frontaliers

Accueillir des réfugiés, fournir de la nourriture, aider dans les hôpitaux et faire sonner les cloches des églises en guise d'avertissement lorsque les bombardements commencent - voilà quelques-unes des nombreuses façons dont les églises réagissent en Ukraine et dans les pays voisins alors que la guerre se poursuit. Plus de deux millions de personnes ont quitté l'Ukraine et les estimations des groupes de secours montrent que 18 millions de personnes, soit un tiers de la population du pays, auront besoin d'une aide humanitaire.

15 March 2022

Event

8th Symposium on the Role of Religion and Faith-Based Organizations in International Affairs

25 January 2022

The 8th Annual Symposium on the Role of Religion and Faith-based Organizations in International Affairs, entitled "Mobilizing Moral Influence and Governance to End the Systemic Injustices of Racism, the legacy of Colonialism and Slavery", will be held virtually 8:00 – 12:30 EDT on Tuesday 25 January 2022.

Three men sitting in chairs talking in a large room.

WCC acting general secretary visits the WCC president, HB John X, primate of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East

On 15 December, Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca, acting general secretary of the World Council of Churches paid a visit to His Beatitude John X, Patriarch of the Antioch and All the East at the patriarchal residence in Balamand, Lebanon.

17 December 2021

Dr Ellen Ueberschär, president of the Heinrich Böll Foundation

Digital rights can't thrive alone; support needed from civil society, churches, others, says Ellen Ueberschär

As a teenager growing up in East Germany in the 1980s, Dr Ellen Ueberschär learned of freedom of speech in her church parish and believes that fundamental digital rights will not prevail on their own or through voluntary commitments by corporations.

13 September 2021