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Samson Waweru wearing a white t-shirt and holding a microphone

Embracing unity, faith, and hope: a conversation with Samson Waweru

Samson Waweru, a visually impaired Kenyan, holds the position of executive director at the Kenya Society for the Blind. In this capacity, he is responsible for executing a comprehensive mandate aimed at assisting blind and visually impaired individuals in Kenya. His focus encompasses areas such as prevention, education, rehabilitation, employment, and overall welfare. Beyond his professional duties, Samson also serves as the vice-chair of the St Cosmas and Damianos Cathedral in Nairobi, showcasing his dedication to both his professional and spiritual obligations.

31 January 2024

Caribbean church workers, activists train on UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

In the Caribbean, there is an increased sense that persons with disabilities have rights and the church is strengthening the view that all are created in the image of God, said a Jamaican cleric and academic who campaigns for disability rights.

18 December 2023

WCC will share insights with International Fellowship of Evangelical Students World Assembly

The World Council of Churches (WCC) will be represented at the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students (IFES) World Assembly on 2-10 August in Jakarta, Indonesia.

27 July 2023

Rev. John Naude licensed as vicar to St Peter’s, Rock Ferry, Birkenhead

In April 2023, at Birkenhead, UK which is near Liverpool town, home to one of the world’s best football team (Liverpool) and where the best-ever pop group (Beatles) came from, Rev. John Naude, EDAN Europe coordinator was licensed as vicar to St Peter’s, Rock Ferry.

14 July 2023

On International Women’s Day, award-winning church sign language interpreter urges space for deaf women

At the St Andrew’s Presbyterian of Church East Africa in Nairobi, Judy Kihumba is the voice between the hearing and the deaf worlds in one of Kenya’s oldest churches.

08 March 2023

Bossey graduates reflect on the impact of studies that changed their lives

“It’s okay not to be okay.” That’s the catchy way Denis Pattinasarany, from the Protestant church in the Mollucas, Indonesia, describes one of the most important things he learned at the Bossey Ecumenical Institute.

03 February 2023

Pandemic and pedagogy: what are the valuable lessons?

Rev. Prof. Dr Benjamin Simon, World Council of Churches programme executive for Ecumenical Theological Education, offered reflections after a December hybrid conference entitled “Theological Education: Pandemic and Pedagogy,” held at the Trinity Theological Seminary in Accra, Ghana. The conference was co-organized by the World Council of Churches (WCC), World Communion of Reformed Churches, Lutheran World Federation, and Evangelische Mission Weltweit. The conference drew more than 80 participants from all over the world.

21 December 2022

Rev. Joannes Owino Siang’a: deaf Kenyan Presbyterian cleric in WCC’s executive committee

When the next World Council of Churches (WCC) executive committee meeting convenes, among the members will be a deaf Presbyterian clergy from Kenya.

28 September 2022

WCC celebrates life of Sarah Newland Martin, courageous change-maker

The World Council of Churches (WCC) is mourning the death of Sarah Newland Martin, known for her lifetime of advocacy for persons with disabilities, for her leadership with the YMCA and Jamaica Baptist Union, and her ecumenical bridge-building.

12 June 2022

“Theological Education: Pandemic and Pedagogy” conference will take stock of online education experiences

A “Theological Education: Pandemic and Pedagogy” conference will convene from 5-7 December at the Trinity Theological Seminary, Accra, Ghana. The hybrid conference is being organized by the World Council of Churches (WCC), World Communion of Reformed Churches, Lutheran World Federation, and Evangelische Mission Weltweit.

31 May 2022

Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca and Dr Agnes Abuom outside the Ecumenical centre in Geneva

WCC leaders recall life-changing experiences from early days

At the end of a 9 February press conference — which followed a long day of videoconference meetings — Dr Agnes Abuom and Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauce fielded a surprise question: what first got them involved in the ecumenical movement?

10 February 2022

People sit in line at a table in a conference room.

African church conference tackles misleading theologies in faith and healing

A symposium exploring the complex question of misleading theologies in Africa ended here on 24 November, amid concerns that the phenomenon was harming the efforts to combat coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and other diseases.

25 November 2021

For those with disabilities, digital justice is about access, says EDAN's Waweru

Digital justice for Kenyan Samson Waweru is clear, as he believes there should be equal access to both cyber and print information for those who have disabilities and those who do not.

When using a computer, he says in a video interview with World Council of Churches (WCC) programme executive Joy Eva Bohol that it applies to social media platforms and access to them.

13 September 2021

In a COVID-stricken world, “everyone is important”

A webinar held 22 October gave space for persons with disabilities to share their reflections. Entitled “From Lamentation to Transformation,” the event, first in a series of webinars on COVID-19 perspectives, highlighted hope through stories, practical support, and social change as experienced by persons with disabilities.

23 October 2020

Advancing a disability-inclusive response to COVID-19

Persons with disabilities may be even more vulnerable during the COVID-19 pandemic, but they have also shown resiliency and wisdom that can be shared across the world.

21 April 2020

World Prayer Day Ecumenical Partners gathering in Nairobi. Photo: Syovata Kilonzo/WCC

Ecumenical partners in Africa celebrate women’s achievements

Ecumenical partners in Africa convened by All Africa Conference of Churches, World Council of Churches (WCC) Ecumenical Disability Advocates Network, WCC Ecumenical HIV and AIDS Initiative and Advocacy, Christian Aid, and Side by Side gathered in Nairobi on World Prayer day 2020 to celebrate the achievements of women in Africa as well as to recognise men as allies. The gathering also observed the International Women’s Day under the theme #EachforEqual.

09 March 2020

Ruth Saiya (right) and Manda Andrian (left) have completed their studies at the WCC Ecumenical Institute at Bossey, supported through the Sarah Chakko Scholarship Fund. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC

WCC relaunches Sarah Chakko Scholarship Fund

As of January 2020, the WCC has relaunched its Sarah Chakko Scholarship Fund. The fund was first established in 1998, at the end of the Ecumenical Decade of Solidarity with Women, aiming to promote the education of women for leadership competencies for the ecumenical movement.

30 January 2020

The cry of the Papuans in Indonesia

The World Council of Churches (WCC) continues to amplify the voice of the indigenous Papuans in Indonesia, who are oppressed by racism and discrimination.

Concerned about the escalating crisis of violence, racism and discrimination against indigenous Papuans in Indonesia, a side event co-sponsored by the WCC was convened during a fall session of the UN Human Rights Council to discuss patterns that are oppressing and displacing Papuans.

14 November 2019