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To challenge the increasing proliferation of small arms and light weapons (SALW) in Africa, and to find effective ways to deter this trend, the World Council of Churches (WCC) will hold a consultation in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to strategize common priorities and actions to combat proliferation of arms in the region.

With millions of people on the move in today's world, a recent World Council of Churches (WCC) conference in Manila discussed migration from a Christian theological perspective. They explored how “dignity and justice” can become a reality for migrant workers and communities.

The Rev. Dr Kenneth Cragg, who died on 13 November at the age of 99, is recalled by the general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC) as one of the pioneers of the modern ecumenical approach to inter-religious dialogue and cooperation, and especially to improved Christian-Muslim relations.

South African activist and Anglican priest Fr Michael Lapsley, SSM (Society of the Sacred Mission), will offer a presentation about his life and work in the Healing of Memories project. He will speak on 30 November at 15:00 in the Visser 't Hooft Hall of the Ecumenical Centre, Geneva, Switzerland.

Bishop Justin Welby, current bishop of Durham in the Church of England, has received congratulations and the promise of heartfelt prayers and cooperation from the general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC) following an announcement on 9 November that Bishop Welby is to become the next Archbishop of Canterbury.

The World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit congratulated Barack Obama following his re-election as president of the United Sates, wishing him “all the blessings of God’s grace” as he continues work during his second presidential term.

“The image of Martin Luther nailing his Ninety-Five Theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg is a powerful symbol for an entire historical process,” said the Rev. Dr Walter Altmann. He said this “process is a theological rediscovery of God's amazing grace, which is to be received in faith for our salvation.”

To promote children's rights and eliminate violence against children, the WCC invites its member churches to join an inter-religious call for prayer and action on 20 November.

[Joint release with the Conference of European Churches (CEC)]

The life and work of former World Council of Churches (WCC) president Bishop Federico Pagura, 89, are honored in a new book launched in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on 26 October, at the First Methodist Church of Buenos Aires (IEMA).

Following the selection of Bishop Tawadros II as new pope of the Egyptian Coptic Church on 4 November, the World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary congratulated him for his new role in leading the Coptic Christians, the largest Christian community in the Arab world.

19.11.12

20.11.12

Despite being a wealthy country at one time, Argentina has more recently faced recurring economic crises, persistent fiscal and current account deficits, high inflation, mounting external debt and capital flight. The major down turn in Argentina’s economy was from 1999 to 2000, and is still causing a feeling of incertitude among its citizens.

While peace talks are underway between the Colombian government and FARC rebels (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) in Norway, Dr Ricardo Esquivia of the Mennonite Church in Colombia affirmed that “creativity and audacity to advocate for justice in a nonviolent way” is essential at this time.

It is not imaginable for the World Council of Churches (WCC) to have a future “without a much stronger emphasis on international affairs and peace with justice,” said Martin Robra, programme director for the study of ecumenism in the 21st century, at a consultation on "churches and the rule of law" this week in Geneva.

Through engaging speakers and discussions, participants at a recent consultation on mission and evangelism explored ways, in which theological education and training programmes on evangelism can relate Christian witness to the changing landscape of Europe.

In recent letters to the National Council of Churches in the United States and the Caribbean Conference of Churches, the World Council of Church (WCC) general secretary, Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit invoked prayers for the people affected by Hurricane Sandy.

By Susan Kim (*)

Despite the contributions made by the World Council of Churches (WCC) towards “zero new infections, zero HIV related deaths and zero stigma and discrimination” there is “more we can do,” said Dr Isabel Apawo Phiri.