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New models of theological education involving migrant churches are an imperative for Christianity in the 21 st century. This was one of the key convictions expressed at a joint international consultation of the programme on Ecumenical Theological Education (ETE) of the WCC and the Academy of Mission at the University of Hamburg , Germany.

Thirty representatives of Orthodox institutions gathered in mid-November 2010 at the Andrei Saguna theological faculty in Sibiu, Romania to reflect on the topic “The Ecumenical Movement in Theological Education and the Life of Orthodox Churches”. This discussion was moderated by Metropolitan Gennadios of Sassima (Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople).

Leading experts in theological education in Africa came together 15-18 November for a continent-wide meeting at the headquarters of the All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC) in Nairobi, Kenya.

The recently established Network for Ecumenical Learning in Central and Eastern Europe ( NELCEE ) held its first consultation in Prague, 14-17 October.

The future of theological education in Asia was addressed during a meeting of the Foundation for Theological Education in South East Asia (FTESEA) in the US city of Philadelphia, 4-5 October 2010. The FTESEA is preparing to celebrate its 75 th anniversary in 2012 and is looking back to years of creative partnership with both the World Council of Churches (WCC) programme on Ecumenical Theological Education (ETE) and the Ecumenical Institute in Bossey, Switzerland.

The wholeness of creation and the commitment for justice are two biblical insights that have guided ecumenical concern on climate change, say the editors of the latest issue of The Ecumenical Review, published under the title, "Churches Caring for Creation and Climate Justice".

By Stephen Brown (*)

A Handbook of Theological Education in World Christianity, released at the Edinburgh 2010 conference, provides "a world-class resource for all of us who feel a need for continuing ecumenical formation", says the general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit.

The endowment of two new scholarship funds geared towards facilitating studies at the Ecumenical Institute of the WCC was celebrated at the graduation ceremony for the 61st session of the institute's Graduate School of Ecumenical Studies on 3 February.

Proper theological education is of strategic importance for the future of Christianity. So is ecumenical formation for the future of the ecumenical movement, according to a world report on the future of theological education.

Religious diversity is an unavoidable reality today – and an opportunity, according to the participants of an interfaith seminar held in July at the World Council of Churches (WCC) Ecumenical Institute at Bossey outside Geneva, Switzerland.

More than 300 theological educators from all major theological education institutions of South Africa and a number of theological institutions throughout Africa met in the Faculty of Theology, Stellenbosch University in South Africa from 22-26 June 2009 for the Joint Conference of Academic Societies in the Fields of Religion and Theology.

By Sara Speicher (*)

In one of the most far-reaching theological curriculum reforms worldwide, the Senate of Serampore College in Madurai, India has developed a curriculum based on three pillars: contextual education, interdisciplinary dialogue and social relevance.

In the context of rapid social and political changes in Eastern and Central Europe, some 37 leading representatives of theological and ecumenical institutions throughout the region gathered in Romania recently to seek more mutual cooperation and ecumenical commitment to ecumenical theological education.

Ideas for "bringing unity down to earth", "communicative action" and a "theology of the wilderness" were among the winning entries submitted for an essay contest on Prospects for Ecumenism in the 21st Century. The winners, two women and four men, come from Africa, Asia, Europe and North America.

Ecumenical theological education is of strategic importance for Christianity in the 21st century. This was the message coming from the IV Congress of the World Conference of Associations of Theological Institutions (WOCATI) held in Neapolis, Thessaloniki and Volos (Greece) from 31 May to 7 June 2008.

Amongst the widespread devastation disseminated by Cyclone Nargis, Myanmar theological institutions were not spared their share of damage and loss.

Firsthand reports on the extraordinary development of Christianity in Nepal and the growing need for improvements in theological education and participation in the ecumenical movement were all part of recent consultation on the future of theological education in South Asia.

By Annegret Kapp*