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The root causes and complex nature of violence, and aspects of Christian spiritual life that can contribute towards the building of a culture of peace in today’s world, will be the focus of an international conference taking place in Boston, USA from 27-29 October 2005.

This year's Nobel Peace Prize affirms that "multilateral, legal and peaceable conduct of international affairs is not only possible but productive," said Peter Weiderud, director of the World Council of Churches Commission of the Churches on International Affairs (WCC/CCIA), commenting on the prize awarded to Mohamed El Baradei today. Weiderud also said that "control of nuclear arms and technology" is an "incontrovertible recognition of the God-given value of human life" and that, therefore, the award represents an "important investment in hope as well as peace".

<span style="font-weight: bold; "» Middle East, US, Caribbean and Latin American churches prepare for WCC Assembly

"Tourism, while being a potent force for good, has sadly turned into an activity that leaves in its trail massive numbers of victims", says World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Samuel Kobia in a message on World Tourism Day, 27 September.

By Fredrick Nzwili (*)

"The outcomes of the UN world summit, the largest gathering of heads of state in history, fall far short of the vision and the expectations of churches and people during this critical period in world history," said World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia, speaking on the eve of the International Day of Prayer for Peace, 21 September.

Full text of WCC public statements available, see below

Calling on member churches and churches around the world to observe an International Day of Prayer for Peace on 21 September, World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia observes that "Christian spirituality is not a call to retreat from social action and public life. As injustice and violence grow, […] we have all the more reason to pray with and for one another and for our world."

Reacting to the tragic events at Baghdad's Kadhimiya mosque on 31 August, which Iraqi authorities fear have claimed the lives of up to a thousand Muslim pilgrims, the general secretary of the World Council of Churches Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia expressed the heartfelt condolences and deep sympathy felt by Christians worldwide at this loss of life.

<span style="font-weight: bold; "» How do we share copyrighted worship resources?

To fully evaluate the Gaza pullout, it is necessary to watch for a number of "signs of peace" in the months ahead, according to the international affairs unit of the World Council of Churches (WCC).

Counting the 20 new volunteers who recently arrived in Jerusalem, the total number of people to have participated in the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI) has now passed the 200-mark, as the programme completes its third year of existence.

In a 1 August letter to Sudan's churches following the announcement of the death of the country's first vice-president, Dr John Garang, the World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia has expressed his "deep sadness" and his "solidarity and support" for the churches and people of Sudan.

Expressing solidarity with the victims of today's bomb blasts in London, and total rejection of violent actions, World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia sent the following message to the churches and the people of the United Kingdom:

By Valson Thampu (*)

By Juan Michel (*)

Free photos available see below

Free photos available see below

Free photos available, see below