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On 1 May, in Hanover, Germany, the founding assembly of the “Bossey Ecumenical Institute Network in Europe” took place at the Ort der Ökumene, during Kirchentag, a German Protestant festival. Kirchentag takes place every two years in early summer, featuring over 1,500 events over five days, drawing 100,000 visitors and 30,000 contributors.
Rev. Emma Jansson, from the Church of Sweden, has been elected the president of the board of the new network.
"It gives me hope to see young people coming together and creating ecumenical spaces by Bossey transformative relationships and spreading the message of unity,” she said.
Rev. Prof. Dr Benjamin Simon, dean of the Ecumenical Institute at Bossey and director of the WCC Commission on Ecumenical Education and Formation, praised the initiative and noted that this is not the first alumni network.
“In Thailand and Nigeria, do exist Bossey alumni networks already. However, this one is regional as it comprises former students from all over Europe,” he said. “Alumni networks are of great benefit for Bossey as they support us in very meaningful ways and promote the ecumenical movement in their region.”
This historic gathering, attended by moderator of the WCC central committee Bishop Prof. Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, also established a formal association aimed at fostering dialogue, collaboration, and support for ecumenical initiatives across Europe.
