News
More than 300 participants onsite and online have already confirmed their presence at the upcoming conference organized by the World Council of Churches (WCC) in collaboration with the Protestant Church in Germany (EKD), Bread for the World (Brot für die Welt), and the Association of Protestant Churches and Missions in Germany (EMW).
The international conference titled:
“Berlin 1884–1885 and Anti-Black Racism: In Search of a Shared Anti-Racist Ecumenical Vision”
will take place from 17–20 May 2025 in Berlin, Germany.
It is open to all—churches, theologians, human rights advocates, youth, academics, and members of the public—who seek to engage with the complex legacies of colonialism and the urgent demands for racial justice today.
Why This Conference Matters More Than Ever
In today’s polarized world, anti-Black racism, xenophobia, and systemic discrimination continue to erode human dignity across continents. While these are longstanding global problems, church leaders, theologians, and ecumenical partners are recognizing an urgent need for deeper theological and institutional responses.
This conference offers a unique platform to:
-Examine the historical complicity of churches in colonial and racist systems
-Engage in collective lament, truth-telling, and theological reflection
-Shape ecumenical pathways for reparative justice, decolonized theology, and global solidarity
-Uplift the voices and leadership of people of African descent and other racialized communities
-Connect past injustices to contemporary forms of economic, environmental, and social exploitation
As the world continues to reckon with its colonial past and its persistent racist structures, this gathering calls the global ecumenical community to discern a shared, prophetic vision of hope, repair, and transformation.
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The Berlin Conference, 1884-1885, Image: Archive
Keynote Voices at the Heart of the Conversation
Prof. Hulisani Ramantswana: Decolonizing the Biblical Narrative
Prof. Hulisani Ramantswana, a distinguished scholar from the University of South Africa, is a leading voice in African Biblical Hermeneutics. His work delves into decolonization, imperial dynamics, and the reinterpretation of the Hebrew Bible through African knowledge systems.
In his keynote, “Colonial Dynamics and the Impoverishment of Africa 140 Years after the Berlin Conference,” Ramantswana examines how colonial legacies have economically and theologically impoverished Africa. He challenges the enduring impact of colonialism on the continent and advocates for a reimagined future rooted in indigenous cultures and languages.
Prof. Joerg Rieger: Uniting for Justice in a Divided World
Prof. Joerg Rieger of Vanderbilt University is renowned for his work on theology and public life, focusing on the misuse of power in religion, politics, ecology, and economics. His keynote, “Unite and Conquer in order to Divide and Conquer: Religion, Race, and Class, and the Urgency of Solidarity,” explores how strategies of artificial unity can be used to divide and control populations.
Rieger emphasizes the need for deep solidarities to overcome racism and false categories of race, advocating for a theology that supports movements bringing about positive change.
Ms. Adele Halliday: Addressing Anti-Black Racism Today
Adele Halliday, the Anti-Racism and Equity Lead at The United Church of Canada, brings extensive experience in anti-racism education and advocacy. Her keynote, “The State of Racism and Anti-Black Racism in the World Today,” addresses contemporary manifestations of anti-Black racism, including systemic injustices underpinned by colonialism.
Halliday discusses concepts such as racial neo-liberalism, identity politics, and performative allyship, while highlighting the agency and resistance of Black communities. She also examines the implications for churches and the importance of theological reflections in combating racism.
Ms. Yvonne Apiyo Brändle-Amolo: Advocating for Equity and Justice
Yvonne Apiyo Brändle-Amolo, a Swiss parliamentarian and activist, is known for her work in anti-discrimination and social justice. Her keynote, “The Global Persistence of Anti-Black Racism and Role of the Church,” analyzes the enduring issue of anti-Black racism rooted in historical legacies of slavery and colonialism.
Brändle-Amolo calls for societies and church institutions to adopt comprehensive strategies to combat post-colonial anti-Black racism, emphasizing the church’s potential role in effecting societal transformation and advocating for social justice and equity.
Be Part of the Movement
Whether you’re joining in Berlin or online, this is a unique opportunity to engage in deep dialogue, learning, and collaboration for justice.
REGISTER here
Registrations Now Open: Join the WCC Ecumenical Conference in Berlin
Annotated agenda of the conference
Learn more about the WCC work on overcoming Racism, Discrimination and Xenophobia
WCC offers new anti-racist and anti-bias material for churches and communities
