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UN Photo/Manuel Elias (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

UN water summit: how we can make a difference

It is the first UN conference on water in almost 50 years. Taking place in New York from 22-24 March 2023, the “UN 2023 Water Conference” will be a key opportunity to influence and hopefully re-shape the global water discussion. Church and civil society activists are urging affected people, human rights defenders, social movements, and concerned leaders to raise their voices.

20 March 2023
News
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Water and sanitation prominent on COP27 agenda

The second week of the COP27 conference in Egypt focused on the link between global warming and water. This is the first time that water has been included on the agenda of a major global environmental event.

28 November 2022
News
A group of young children speak out to stop climate change, as under a 'call to #UprootTheSystem', Fridays for Future, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom, 2021, Photo: Albin Hillert/Life on Earth Pictures

WCC Eco School for North America postponed until 2023

The World Council of Churches (WCC) has postponed its Eco School in North America until 2023, when it will be held in Europe. To accommodate participants from North America, a special event will be conducted in the region. Details about the event and the venue will be announced soon.

14 November 2022
Feature story
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Water as a divine gift, and justice issue

The importance of water for Christians around the world cannot be overemphasized.  From Genesis 1:1, where we read that “a wind from God swept over the face of the waters” to its sacramental role in baptism and the Eucharist, water is integral to the faith.

08 September 2022
Feature story
Asian plenary, WCC 10th Assembly

Water and justice at the WCC 11th Assembly

“The global water crisis is not simply about dealing with scarcity, it’s about fighting inequality and discrimination, about addressing blatant mismanagement and often also corruption.” For Bishop Arnold Temple, chair of the WCC Ecumenical Water Network, this is why it is so important for churches to keep raising awareness and speaking up about water being a matter of justice and rights. "It's great to see that the importance of water and the churches' commitment to water justice are going to be reflected in the programme of the upcoming WCC 11th Assembly", Temple notes. 

20 July 2022
News
COP26 sign

Faith based organisations underline creation justice in Stockholm+50 webinar

The World Council of Churches (WCC) and International Partnership on Religion and Sustainable Development (PaRD) co-hosted  a hybrid event on 2 June at Stockholm+50. Exploring the theme “Climate Action and Water for Life towards Creation Justice!” the event  reflected on the current scenario of the climate emergency and global water crisis which are interconnected and impact each other as well as the sustainability of the earth. 

12 June 2022
Video feature
image webinar menstruation

Webinar raises awareness on stigma surrounding menstruation

At a webinar organized by the World Council of Churches (WCC), Norwegian Church Aid, and the International Partnership of Religion and Sustainable Development to mark Menstrual Hygiene Day on 28 May, participants, including representatives of various faith communities, brought to light the challenges regarding access to menstrual products, education about menstruation, and period-friendly sanitation facilities.

03 June 2022
Feature story
Woman fetches water in river under bridge.

Interfaith statement at Stockholm+50 urges commitment “to become protectors of this earth”

An interfaith statement developed at Stockholm+50, “Faith Values and Reach - Contribution to Environmental Policy,” was signed by representatives of various faith-based organizations and Indigenous cultures across the world, including the World Council of Churches, and directed to the governments, UN entities, civil society, and all stakeholders of the “Stockholm+50” processes.

03 June 2022
News
Dry river bed seen from bridge.

Creation justice focus of hybrid event at Stockholm +50

The World Council of Churches and International Partnership on Religion and Sustainable Development (PaRD) are co-hosting a hybrid event on 2 June at Stockholm+50. Exploring the theme “Climate Action and Water for Life towards Creation Justice!” the event will reflect on the current scenario of the climate emergency and global water crisis which are interconnected and impact each other as well as the sustainability of the earth. 

01 June 2022
Interview
protests over the depletion and contamination of groundwater resources famously led to the closing of a Coca-Cola factory in the village of Plachimada, India, in 2005. 

Groundwater is “a political question”

In many regions, groundwater is being extracted faster than it can be replenished. Groundwater pollution from raw material extraction, industry, private households, and agriculture is also increasing. This year’s UN’s World Water Day focused on groundwater, urging to make “the invisible visible.” A new publication by Brot für die Welt (Bread for the World, Germany), a member of the WCC Ecumenical Water Network, takes up this call and demands the better protection and fairer use of this vital resource.  WCC news talked to co-author Dr Ingrid Jacobsen about the social and political dimension of groundwater.

27 April 2022