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The World Council of Churches (WCC) welcomed and celebrated the award of the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize to the UN World Food Programme. “We express our gratitude and congratulations to the leadership and each staff member of the World Food Programme,” said Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca, WCC interim general secretary. “This vital multilateral organisation comprises many dedicated people, working in the remotest and most vulnerable regions of the world, affected by conflict, climate catastrophe and economic crises.”

The World Council of Churches (WCC) is inviting all people of good will to attend an online prayer service on 16 October, World Food Day at 4:30 p.m. (CET).

Mit Blick auf die Tatsache, dass der Hunger für 26,4 Prozent der Weltbevölkerung eine nüchterne Realität ist, werden vom 11. bis 17. Oktober Kirchen auf der ganzen Welt an der Aktionswoche für Nahrung teilnehmen. Das Thema des diesjährigen Welternährungstags am 16. Oktober ist „Gemeinsam anbauen, ernähren, erhalten“.

Churches around the world will be observing Churches' Week of Action on Food from 11-17 October as hunger is a stark reality for 26.4 percent of the world’s population. The theme of the World Food Day, which falls on 16 October this year, is “Grow, Nourish, Sustain Together.”

A 13 Million Campaign is underway to engage faith leaders, individuals and communities in promoting access to health services for the 13 million children, women and men living with HIV who are not yet on antiretroviral treatment.

An HIV Interfaith Conference, ”Resilience & Renewal: faith in the HIV response,” will take place virtually on 22-24 September. The World Council of Churches (WCC) is part of a consortium of organisations from several faith traditions and people living with HIV from around the world organising the gathering, with the support of the UNAIDS-PEPFAR Faith Initiative. The conference will provide a space for sharing, learning and advocacy among people of faith involved in the HIV and AIDS response.

The Thursdays in Black campaign for a world free from rape and violence has been intensified in Namibia, bringing awareness of the heightened risk of violence against women and children during the COVID-19 lockdown.

How does one discern the will of God in a time of crisis and danger? Such is the question posed by Pauline Wanjiru Njiru in her new reflection on the Prophet Jeremiah’s counsel to exiles in Babylon.

Stories from Uganda are underscoring the resilience and hope that churches and education can bring in the face of stigma. Programmes developed by the World Council of Churches Ecumenical HIV and AIDS Initiatives and Advocacy have helped people eliminate stigma associated with HIV and AIDS by providing accurate information; safe spaces in which to share; and a faith-based, science-backed approach to health and healing.

A 28 July World Council of Churches (WCC) webinar entitled "Reconnecting in faith with creation, land and water” explored the ways in which we tie our faith to living responsibly on earth. Participants explored together why and how a sustainable future must be based on the interdependency of the whole creation, not an anthropocentric understanding in which human beings are the dominant species.

Mit einer feierlichen Zeremonie wurde das Engagement junger Uganderinnen und Ugander gewürdigt, die im Bereich Gesundheit und Heilung wahre „Botschafterinnen und Botschafter des Wandels“ seien. Pastorin Pauline Njiru, Regionalkoordinatorin für Ostafrika des Programms „Ökumenische HIV- und AIDS-Initiativen und Advocacy (EHAIA)“ des Ökumenischen Rates der Kirche betonte im Rahmen dieser Zeremonie, dass junge Menschen in vielen lokalen Gemeinschaften neuen Schwung in das Engagement für Gerechtigkeit bringen würden.

During a ceremony recognizing how young people in Uganda are true “agents of change” in health and healing, Rev. Pauline Njiru, eastern Africa regional coordinator for the World Council of Churches Ecumenical HIV & AIDS Initiatives and Advocacy programme, said young people are bringing a fresh drive for justice in many local communities.

During a workshop on 29 June-1 July, Pastor Maxwell Kapachawo summed up the inspiration driving the group: “This training has come at the right time! We are facing the challenge of people on antiretroviral therapy defaulting on their medication due to faith healing claims.”

Ayoko Bahun-Wilson is regional coordinator for West Africa for the World Council of Churches (WCC) Ecumenical HIV and AIDS Initiatives and Advocacy programme. She hosted a weekly radio show for churches in Benin called “Zero Rape, Zero Violence.” The show was offered in collaboration by the WCC, Deborah Network, INACES and Hosannah Radio.

Below, Bahun-Wilson reflects on how the radio show, offered every Wednesday for three months, has heightened awareness—but there are many challenges that remain.

The World Council of Churches (WCC) Ecumenical HIV and AIDS Initiatives and Advocacy International Reference Group and the WCC Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance HIV Strategy Group conducted their annual meeting via a series of online video conferences from 25-29 May.

The National Council of Churches in India and the World Council of Churches (WCC) cohosted a webinar on 4 June under the theme “Sustainable Environment: Churches in action.”

Hillary Nuwamanya, 24, kam HIV-positiv zur Welt und hat sich dazu entschieden, sein Leben so zu leben, dass er ein Beispiel für andere Menschen in ihrem Kampf für mehr Hoffnung sein kann.

Ein wichtiger Teil der Ökumenischen HIV- und AIDS-Initiativen und Advocacy des Ökumenischen Rates der Kirchen besteht darin, dass Menschen wie der aus Uganda stammende Hillary andere darin unterrichtet, wie sie ihre Gemeinschaften nach den Grundsätzen der Geschlechtergleichheit, der Gendergerechtigkeit und mit Null Toleranz für sexualisierte und geschlechtsspezifische Gewalt leiten können. Hillary nimmt ebenfalls oft an generationsübergreifenden Workshops über HIV und Gendergerechtigkeit teil oder moderiert sie.

Hillary Nuwamanya, 24, was born HIV-positive, and has chosen to live his life setting an example for other young people who are struggling to find hope.

As an important part of the World Council of Churches Ecumenical HIV and AIDS Initiatives and Advocacy programme, the Ugandan has trained people in how to lead their communities in gender equality, gender justice and zero tolerance for sexual and gender-based violence. He often participates in or facilitates intergenerational workshops on HIV and gender justice.

Using lessons learned from building health-competent faith communities and responding to the HIV and AIDS epidemic, African church leaders are doing their best to help their communities cope with the novel coronavirus.

A WCC support team is online and ready to help WCC member churches as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve. The team—comprised of experts in different facets of faith-related pandemic response—is here for you, said WCC acting general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca. “These are people who can serve as a tremendous support to the WCC fellowship,” said Sauca.