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HIV and AIDS Civil Society Networks and the Faith Sector

Lessons Learnt from Strategic Engagement in India, Dominican Republic, Indonesia, and Jamaica

This booklet highlights the lessons learnt in a project, Strategic Engagement of Civil Society Networks and Faith Actors in the HIV Response in Four Countries,  implemented by the World Council of Churches (WCC), with the support of the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), from July to December 2022 

This initiative facilitated dialogue between civil society networks, faith actors, and key national HIV stakeholders in the Dominican Republic, India, Indonesia, and Jamaica.

Dictionary of the Ecumenical Movement (2nd Edition)

Since its first publication, this dictionary has become an indispensable tool for all those who search for basic information and reliable orientation in the highly complex environment of contemporary ecumenism.

The writers and editors have carefully reviewed and updated the original entries and added a substantial number of new ones. Together they have produced a resource reflecting the richness and diversity of ecumenical thought and action, of events and persons.

Towards a Global Vision of the Church Volume I

Explorations on Global Christianity and Ecclesiology, Faith and Order Paper 234

 As a part of the reception process of the convergence document The Church: Towards a Common Vision (TCTCV), the ecclesiology study group of the WCC Commission on Faith and Order undertook a wide range of conversations on global Christianity and ecclesiology. This  included perspectives from various regions (especially Asia, Africa, and Latin America), denominational families (such as evangelical, Pentecostal, Charismatic, and independent churches), and forms of being church (such as ecclesial movements, new forms of monasticism, and online churches) which have not always been clearly or strongly represented in the discussions on the way to TCTCV. 

This first of two volumes offers a taste of the insights, contributions, lively dialogue, diverse perspectives, and mutual exchange of ecumenical gifts between the members of the commission and theologians from  around the world, which took place through a series of international consultations between 2015-22.

The fruit of this work is offered with the hope that it will contribute towards a clearer, global vision of the Church in the 21st century.

New and Emerging Technologies, Ethical Challenges (statement)

The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love (Psalm 33:5)

New technologies are transforming our world and the multiple spaces in which we live, work and witness. These technologies offer us new ways to create, to heal, to communicate, and to navigate the world. However, many such technologies, while undoubtedly offering actual or potential advances in human wellbeing, have also raised concerns regarding their social and environmental impacts and ethical implications, especially in light of the rapidity of their development and application.

Executive committee

Christian Witness and Action for Human Dignity and Human Rights (statement)

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,

because he has anointed me

to bring good news to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives

and recovery of sight to the blind,

to let the oppressed go free,

to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.

(Luke 4:18-19)

The current global context is marked by escalating conflicts, divisions, inequalities, resurgent racism, xenophobic attacks on migrants, antisemitism, violations of the rights of women and other forms of discrimination, threats against human rights defenders, as well as authoritarianism, populist nationalism, and religious and other forms of extremism, that threaten grave peril for the physical security and human dignity and rights of diverse communities and individuals around the world.

Executive committee

Statement on the 27th Conference of the Parties of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP27)

As Christians we confess that The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world and all who live in it” (Ps 24). We acknowledge our responsibility as stewards and caretakers of God’s unique and abundant Creation of which we human beings are part. And yet we look around our world today, and see that due to our greed and negligence the entire living planet is threatened by accelerating climate change. “The earth dries up and withers, the world languishes and withers…”, “The earth is defiled by its people…” (Isaiah 24:4-5).

Executive committee

Digital Justice

A Study and Action Guide

Are you worried about fake news and social media causing real-world problems? Are you concerned about online hate speech and trolling? Are you committed to ecological and social justice, but are not sure how this relates to anything digital

Do you, or does anyone you know use digital technologies to build community, work, and advocate for justice? If you said yes to any of these questions, this guide is for you.

Whether used for group discussion or individual learning, the guide explains some of the key justice dilemmas of our increasingly digital world, with fast facts, case studies, faith connections, discussion questions, and suggestions for further resources. 

The guide is a co-publication of the World Council of Churches and the World Association for Christian Communication [www.waccglobal.org]

Ecumenism and Peace

From Theory and Practice to Pilgrimage and Companionship
Fernando Enns

This publication provides a practical overview of global ecumenism and reconciliation. The globally reconciling-conciliar Church is on the path - the via transformativa - toward unity through action and reflection, guided by the gospel visions of justice and peace. Fernando Enns analyzes what has been learned in recent decades on the ‘testing grounds’ of ecumenical theory and practice, then demonstrates how the new era of the WCC’s action-oriented programs produce ongoing, diverse ecclesial efforts toward social and spiritual transformation.

Achieving Consensus

A Guide for Conducting Meetings

This guide is intended to introduce the reader to consensus decision-making in the World Council of Churches and to the procedures for implementing it in the conduct of meetings. Both the rule for the conduct of meetings (Rule XIX) and these guidelines are worded so as to apply to a meeting of the assembly of the Council, and they are to be used also in meetings of all its governing and consultative bodies. Finally, the flowchart of consensus procedures outlines the different steps involved in achieving consensus during the meetings.

Statement on Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples

‘Behold I create new heavens in which life, justice and peace are possible for all’.

(Isaiah  65:17-25)

Indigenous Peoples are created with God-given identities that are beautiful.  God was present in their lands and among their peoples before colonizers arrived. When Christians brought the Bible, Indigenous People recognized the voice of their Creator in Jesus’ teachings. They did not hear a call to reject their identities.

Assembly