WCC executive committee endorses new programmatic directions

At its first meeting since its appointment in February 2006, the WCC's executive committee has approved new programmatic directions for the Council and has endorsed a framework for activities in the coming years.

The 25-person executive committee also issued four public statements on matters of international concern, including the situation in the Middle East and human rights.

The committee, meeting at the Bossey Ecumenical Institute near Geneva, 16-19 May 2006, discussed a framework for the WCC's programmatic activity 2007-2013 which was prepared following the WCC's 9th Assembly in February. The Assembly had called on the Council to focus its work on a limited range of work where the WCC could play a unique and global role.

> Programme framework

The programme plan which was approved by the executive committee lists six programme areas which will provide the framework for the Council's activities in the coming period. These are: WCC and the ecumenical movement in the 21st century; unity, mission and spirituality; public witness; justice and diakonia; ecumenical and faith formation; interreligious dialogue and cooperation.

Detailed plans for activities, staffing and budget estimates will now be elaborated and submitted to the central committee for final approval in September 2006. The executive committee also mandated a partial reorganization and integration of the WCC's main consultative and advisory bodies, to bring these into line with the new programme plans.

Welcoming these decisions, WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia underlined that the programme framework "prepares the ground for a more integrated and proactive style of work in the WCC as we prepare to confront the new challenges of the 21st century".

> Communication for a global voice

The executive committee also called for a reinforced communication strategy to raise the public profile of the Council and to ensure that communication was a dimension of all programmatic activity.

Among other decisions, the committee took steps to set up a permanent body on youth participation in the Council, as recommended by the 9th Assembly. The body will be appointed by the central committee in September 2006.

> Other issues

Four issues of major international concern were the subjects of statements by the executive committee. The approved statements covered Iran and nuclear non-proliferation; the establishment of the new UN human rights council; the conflict in Israel-Palestine; and the situation in Sudan. The full texts of the statements are available on the WCC's website.

In a letter addressed to the Brazilian member churches, the executive committee moderator Rev. Dr Walter Altmann and the WCC general secretary affirmed the Council's "solidarity and prayers" for the victims of recent violent incidents in São Paulo. They also commented on the social and legal background to these events, specifically the "inadequacy of the legal system and the overcrowding of prisons," as well as the "corruption, impunity and lack of political will" that have made reforms difficult.

The 25-member committee, which includes members appointed by churches in every region, is moderated by Rev. Dr Walter Altmann from Brazil. It is the main decision-making body of the Council between the meetings of the central committee.