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At an Ecumenical Strategic Forum, convened by the World Council of Churches (WCC) on 9-10 May, religious leaders examined the painful history of racism and also asked difficult questions about how churches may be accountable for racism today. Baldwin Sjollema, first director of the WCC Programme to Combat Racism, said that, today, many do not know or have forgotten about the past. “We seek to forget rather than to remember,” said Sjollema. “There is no doubt that the issue of refugees and asylum, of hospitality to and solidarity with people of different races, religions, cultures and sexual identities are part and parcel of the racism and discrimination today.”

At an Ecumenical Strategic Forum, convened by the World Council of Churches (WCC) on 9-10 May, religious leaders examined the painful history of racism and also asked difficult questions about how churches may be accountable for racism today. In welcoming remarks, WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit said that racism is an ongoing concern of the ecumenical movement. “So often racist behaviour stems from inherited hatred reinforced by self-interest and group identification,” he said. “Invariably it results in diminished prospects for its victims and even in generations of discrimination, gender violence, and poverty; and so race is a constant factor in all the other work you do.”

This year, WCC addresses racism as the thematic focus of the Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace (PJP)- this is expressed in the design of pilgrim team visits, the WCC commitment to human rights; work on migration, racial discrimination and statelessness; work with Indigenous Peoples; and cooperation with the United Nations.

Food is central to life and our faith. It is a blessing and a gift of God, in the form of the abundant creation which we depend on for our sustenance. Food is also a reflection of the quality of our relationships with each other- our caring for the other and the sharing of resources and the hospitality we show each other. Food is central to our worship life, our liturgy and the Eucharist, which helps us to be one with God and with each other.

The World Council of Churches (WCC) was represented at a panel discussion at the 5th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue in Baku, Azerbaijan on 2-3 May.Rev Dr Peniel Rufus Rajkumar, WCC programme coordinator for Interreligious Dialogue and Cooperation, was part of a panel entitled “A gap to be bridged, An Investment to be made.”

Applications are now open for YATRA (Youth in Asia Training for Religious Amity), an interreligious training programme launched by the World Council of Churches (WCC) in 2014 following the 10th General Assembly of the WCC held in Busan, Republic of Korea.

Applications are now open for YATRA (Youth in Asia Training for Religious Amity), a highly successful interreligious training programme launched by the World Council of Churches (WCC) in 2014 following the 10th General Assembly of the WCC held in Busan, Republic of Korea.

Churches Week of Action on Food (15 - 22 October 2018)

This liturgy prepared for the 2016 Churches Week of Action on Food and World Food Day (16 October) can be used throughout the year to reflect on God's gift of creation and celebrate all who are responsible for the food we have.

One of the songs in Hosanna! Ecumenical Songs for Justice and Peace, a collection of 89 songs for people whose journey of faith embraces the themes and challenges of justice and peace.

This order of worship has been prepared by the World Council of Churches for the 2015 Churches' Week of Action on Food. It can be adapted as appropriate, with credit given to the source.

A 6-page guide for the week with a page you can modify to add specific actions or resources for your region or context.

Report from the first meeting of the ECHOS - Commission on youth engagement in the ecumenical movement: 8-13 May 2015, Cairo, Egypt

Speech by the WCC general secretary to the Pre-Assembly for Specialized Ministries at Ecumenical Institute, Bossey 18-19 April 2013

The final report of the committee included recommendations to the WCC, regional ecumenical organizations, national councils of churches, Christian world communions, ecumenical youth movements, specialized ministries, renewal movements, the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, and churches and organizations – whether or not traditionally seen as ecumenically engaged – on how to live out the gift of ecumenical calling in more intentional cooperation by all. It was received by the WCC Central Committee in September 2012 and will be forwarded to the WCC 10th Assembly in 2013.

Report on youth participation at the International Ecumenical Peace Convocation, including: - a message of encouragement from the 5 essay winners (read in the Opening plenary) - a youth statement read at the Closing plenary of the IEPC - the Message of the IEPC - a brief article about Echos members who were at the IEPC and a reflection by one of them.. - and then some thoughts and reflections from stewards

One in the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayer.

Acts 2 : 42 - 47 

Challenges and Opportunities for Theological Education in the 21st Century. Pointers for a new international debate on theological education, by the Edinburgh 2010 study group on theological education.