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WCC general secretary speaks during the prayer service

As world prays for Armenia, WCC urges "justice and peace are closely interconnected”

Prayers for Armenia rang worldwide on 10 November—from London to Paris; Berlin to Washington, DC; Moscow to Australia—and in Geneva, the World Council of Churches (WCC) called for the unconditional release of 23 Armenian war hostages, as well as defenders of human rights and journalists detained in Azeri jails.

11 November 2024

Colombian peace and biodiversity: how are they related?

At the UN biodiversity COP16 in Cali, Colombia, Dr Humberto Shikiya, World Council of Churches (WCC) special envoy to the peace process in Colombia, and Rev. Milton Mejia, coordinator of DiPaz, the main ecumenical peace-building platform in Colombia, took time to explain the relationship between the peace process in Colombia and the biodiversity conference agenda, as well as why ecumenical commitment makes a difference.

30 October 2024

For professor Achim Wennmann, Geneva has ingredients to get conflict resolution started

Geneva professor Achim Wennmann says it is essential for churches and networks of churches striving for peace to be as close as possible to individuals on the ground and listen intently to what makes for conflict dynamics, talking to friends and foes in the process.

29 October 2024

handicraft sales on the streets of Bogota

WCC welcomes extension of ceasefire, reaffirms importance of peace talks in Colombia

An extension of the ceasefire between the Colombian government and the FARC-EP was announced on 15 October, a milestone occurring one year since the Peace Dialogue Table—of which the World Council of Churches (WCC) is a permanent accompanier—was established.

17 October 2024

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Menno Simons Preaching Award goes to Riki Neufeld for sermon on Ukraine

The Center for Peace Theology at University of Hamburg, Germany, together with the Mennonite Congregation in Hamburg-Altona, gave the international Menno Simons Preaching Award to Riki Neufeld, pastor at the Evangelical Mennonite Congregation Schänzli in Muttenz (Switzerland).

04 September 2024

WCC and the Colombia peace process “a true witness of international solidarity”

About nine months ago, In Colombia, the peace process through the Round Table of Peace Dialogues between the government and the Estado Mayor Central of the FARC-EP, formally began talks began between both negotiating parties. The bilateral ceasefire has been a crucial decision for the peace process and international humanitarian law for the people of Colombia. One exception was a lifting of the ceasefire in the southwestern region of Colombia due to acts of violence that affected the civil population.

04 July 2024

Rev. Dawn Gikandi: Thursdays in Black speaks volumes in Kenya and beyond

Our series of interviews with Thursdays in Black ambassadors highlights those who are playing a vital role in increasing the impact of our collective call for a world without rape and violence. Rev. Dawn Gikandi is a Kenyan who has been ordained as a minister by the Presbyterian Church of East Africa, a member church of the WCC.

27 June 2024

WCC expresses alarm over reports of violent response to Kenyan protests

World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay expressed alarm at the reports and images indicating a disproportionately violent response by Kenyan police and security personnel to widespread popular protests about proposed tax increases.

26 June 2024

Presbyterian Church of Colombia: WCC accompaniment allows a dream for wider peace

In a video interview, Rev. Marwin Hurtado, general secretary of the Presbyterian Church of Colombia, reflects on what the accompaniment of the World Council of Churches (WCC) means to the churches in Colombia as they support the peace process.

18 June 2024

WCC executive committee: “violence cannot bring sustainable peace to Colombia”

The World Council of Churches (WCC) executive committee, in a statement on the peace process in Colombia, emphasized “violence cannot bring sustainable peace to Colombia, and cannot produce positive results for the benefit of the civilian population.”

10 June 2024

Historic plenary at WCC executive committee offers candid look at Colombian peace process

During a historic plenary on 8 June at the World Council of Churches (WCC) executive committee meeting in Bogota, Colombia, high-level speakers shared their candid insights from inside the Colombia peace process—not only what it looks like on an international level but from the perspective of local communities as well.

10 June 2024

In Colombia, WCC executive committee will focus on life and witness of churches

From 6-11 June, the World Council of Churches (WCC) executive committee will meet in Bogota, Colombia, where the governing body will focus not only on the business of the WCC but also on absorbing the life and witness of churches at the heart of the Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation, and Unity.

30 May 2024

In Kenya, messages about gender equality reach thousands

Whether it’s weaving gender equality into environmental training for young children, or reaching 2,000 high school and university students with the Thursdays in Black campaign, Kevin Maina is making some major strides in Kenya toward a world free from gender-based violence.

23 May 2024

Churches instrumental as Colombia emerges from conflict, say peace envoys

Peace in Colombia has been a long time coming, began Juan Carlos Cuéllar, representative of the Ejército de Liberación Nacional (ELN), as he spoke at a World Council of Churches (WCC) panel discussion titled "The things that make for peace in Colombia” on 9 April.

10 April 2024

Dr h.c. Humberto Shikiya and Monsignor Héctor Fabio Henao

WCC at peace dialogue table with UN Security Council in Colombia

Members of the United Nations Security Council have completed a visit to Colombia, during which they received firsthand impressions of the ongoing Colombian peace process, and participated in dialogues with many organizations, including the World Council of Churches (WCC).

15 February 2024

As femicide cases rises, Kenyan religious leaders move to act

As cases of femicide rise, religious leaders in Kenya are calling for the protection of women, as they unite to condemn the incidents now sending shockwaves across the East African nation.

06 February 2024

WCC backs extension of ceasefire in Colombia

Within the framework of the negotiations and conversations of the third cycle of the Peace Dialogue Table between the government of Colombia and the Estado Mayor Central FARC-EP, the news was received on its fourth day of sessions that President Petro approved Decree 0016 of 14 January 2024, which it extends the ceasefire with the EMC FARC-EP for six more months.

18 January 2024

"Africa Six" bishops gather at St Paul’s University: “we carry the flag of women”

Six African Anglican female bishops—fondly known as the “Africa Six”—gathered at St Paul’s University in Nairobi, Kenya on 11 January to share their ideas and inspirations about “Christian Leadership for the 21st Century.”

12 January 2024