Feature story
The discussion was organized by the World Council of Churches (WCC), Association of Protestant Churches and Missions in Germany (EMW), and the World Association for Christian Communication (WACC) to take stock of changes in the global digital landscape since the Symposium on “Communication for Social Justice in a Digital Age” held in Berlin in September 2021.
Philip Lee, WACC general secretary, opened the discussion by noting much has changed in the global digital landscape since the 2021 symposium produced its manifesto that articulated the justice principles raised by the digital age.
In addition to the rapid technological developments and impact, he noted the international discussions raising the economic, cultural, political and social dilemmas, including the United Nations’ “Pact for the Future,” with its “Global Digital Compact,” and a “Declaration on Future Generations” adopted in 2024, and the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS+20) which will come before the UN General Assembly 16-17 December.
“The concept of digital justice is now front and centre of rights-based and ethical discussions worldwide,” said Lee. “What is the response of the ecumenical movement to these issues?”
Facilitated by Rainer Kiefer, EMW director, participants at the roundtable discussed what kind of advocacy is needed to impact the development of digital technologies and the policies that regulate them.
Bishop Prof. Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, moderator of the World Council of Churches (WCC) central committee, offered his reflections as well as an overview of some of the WCC’s work in the digital justice area.
“AI is now part of normal life, almost,” he said. “And what I would also very much emphasize, it has become clear what a danger lies in the connection between power and money.”
He reflected that the themes identified in the manifesto are still – and perhaps even more so – critical today. Addressing algorithms as one example, he asked. “How can you make algorithms socially responsible? Algorithms, as we all know, are programmed in a commercial logic, rather than in a discourse logic, which is the basis for democracy.”
“We do not condemn AI or digitalization,” he said, but called for principles to guide responsible development and use: “Social justice principles, inclusive participation, freedom, equity, sustainability, sustainable life, ecology, solidarity.” We need to address the “systemic power imbalances”, he said.
Ellie McDonald, lead for Policy and Advocacy at Global Partners Digital, provided a brief overview of some of the current principal international digital policy processes, and key issues for advocacy.
“It is important not to lose sight of the enduring potential of the internet and technologies for inclusion, imagination, and understanding,” said McDonald. “An interesting observation since the time that you agreed to the manifesto is the extent to which a larger number of governments are now approaching digital technology, governance, and regulation as a means of strategic advantage, and with that, we've seen the ballooning of a number of global digital policy processes and discussions.”
In a round of sharing, participants outlined their current approach to digitalization and where they’d like more collaboration.
Rev. Dr Peter Kuhnert, chair, of the WCC Faith and Science Working Group, which is part of the Commission of the Churches on Health and Healing, described how the WCC is thinking theologically and ethically about faith and digital justice, especially artificial intelligence.
“What does it mean to be created in the image of God in this current age?” he asked.
Navya Dinah Saji, communications coordinator with the Christian Conference of Asia, described how, in October 2025, the conference organized an International Consultation on Artificial Intelligence and Post-humanism, with a specific focus on ethical and theological perspectives.
“AI systems begin to demonstrate abilities resembling reasoning, creativity, and even empathy. Deep questions emerge about what makes humans unique, and how we define ourselves in this new age,” she said.
Lorenzo Vargas, WACC program director, shared that digital justice has long been a priority for WACC going back to the early 2000s. “Most recently, especially since the September 2021 symposium, it has become central to all our work,” he said, adding that WACC approaches this through capacity building, research, education, and advocacy.
Representatives of Brot für die Welt, Evangelical Church in Germany, Church of Sweden, and Association of Protestant Churches and Missions in Germany, shared work in advocating for digital rights, using AI ethically and effectively, and developing educational materials. All welcomed a coordinated and focused approach to engage churches and other faith-based communities in concerted action to impact current and future technologies.
Concluding the discussion, Kiefer noted the many ideas and efforts put forward, and affirmed that all are convinced we need to move further. An in-person event is proposed for Spring 2026.
“Precious God,” Bedford-Strohm, prayed as a closing, “We ask for your guidance in the actions to come. We ask you for your spirit of wisdom, but also for your spirit of decisiveness, for the will to act.”
Manifesto "Communication for Social Justice in a Digital Age"
