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As coronavirus cases rise sharply in Latin American countries, so has violence against women.

The World Council of Churches (WCC) sent greetings to the Presbyterian Church of Colombia as the church commemorates 164 years of preaching and service.

The legacy of sexual slavery before, during and after the brutal Korean War weighs heavily on the shoulders of the thousands of Korean women who lived for decades under a brutal militarized patriarchy.

Within the context of confinement to prevent the spread of COVID-19, multifaceted violence persists in Colombia, as well as violations of the rights of social leaders, Indigenous, Afro-Colombian and peasant populations.

In the field of multilateral relations, the major partner of the Catholic Church is the World Council of Churches (WCC). Founded in 1948, it is the broadest and most inclusive ecumenical organization, bringing together 350 Christian denominations including Orthodox, Lutherans, Reformed, Anglicans, Methodists, Baptists as well as United and Independent churches. Altogether they represent over 500 million Christians worldwide.

The rainforests of the world are pivotal to the global ecology, to the health and sustainability of our planet, and for indigenous people whose livelihoods and cultures depend on them. But today rainforests around the world are at escalating risk of destruction and collapse, due to exploitation of short-term interests and lack of protection by governments. To protect and to care for these precious repositories of biodiversity and Indigenous knowledge, faith communities from different traditions can play a key role in ethical and moral leadership.

As major challenges for the global economy are predicted in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, a diverse group of faith institutions is putting the call for a just economic recovery into practice.

The Lutheran World Federation and Islamic Relief Worldwide issued on 11 May a call on all parties to lay down arms, institute an immediate ceasefire, and ensure humanitarian access in order to protect people from COVID-19.

After more than 30 years as a pastor, ecumenist and church leader, Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit firmly believes that the church can change the world. As general secretary of the WCC for the past ten years, he has witnessed what Jesus Christ means to people of faith around the globe. By the end of this month he heads home to lead the Church of Norway as presiding bishop of its bishop’s conference.

The World Council of Churches (WCC) has just published two new Bible studies penned by authors from Colombia. Both focus on aspects of the WCC Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace.

The World Council of Churches (WCC) Executive Committee met from 20-26 November at the Bossey Ecumenical Institute, to approve the 2020 programme plans and budget, follow up and decide on a variety of assembly matters, discuss world affairs and issue seven statements in response to current situations. The Executive Committee also discerned the way forward for the WCC’s Youth Communication Strategy.

In a statement, the World Council of Churches Executive Committee expressed deep concern over the exceptional concurrent crises in Latin America. “Among other situations of concern, Brazil is facing a complex crisis of political and social polarization, affecting the rule of law, human rights and environmental protection, and diminishing civil society space, while Chile, Bolivia, Ecuador, Venezuela, Paraguay, Peru and Argentina have all experienced mass protests and political crises that have shaken their governments, economies and societies,” the statement reads. “In some cases, such as in Chile, Bolivia, Venezuela, Nicaragua and Colombia, popular protests have resulted in violent clashes and deaths.”

As the Season of Creation gets ready to close on 4 October, the World Council of Churches (WCC) global fellowship has new inspiration and determination to carry climate justice work forward.

During the 42nd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, on 24 September, the World Council of Churches Commission of the Churches on International Affairs presented a statement on racism. “People of African descent represent a quarter of the population of Central and South America, with 98% of these in Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, Cuba, Mexico and Ecuador,” reads the statement.

As the 4th Ecumenical School on Governance, Economics and Management for an Economy of Life concluded on 30 August in Bogor, Indonesia, participants representing 15 countries and coming from diverse contexts reflected on the two-week, “eye-opening” experience.

Young people are trailblazers, pioneers, visionaries and leaders who have the potential to create a positive, sustainable legacy for future generations on a global scale.
On 12 August, International Youth Day, youth led a TED-style talk and discussion in Geneva, with five young speakers from different parts of the world, four virtually and one live. The stories and experiences shared connected them to theme “Transforming Education,” while inspiring the audience for a call to action.

In light of International Youth Day on 12 August, the World Council of Churches (WCC), Lutheran World Federation and the World Student Christian Federation invited youth to celebrate the day at the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva. The event promoted a shared understanding of inclusion, acknowledging the gifts and addressing the common concerns and challenges of young people around the world.

The International Ecumenical Fellowship (IEF) held its 45th Conference in Krakow, Poland, 22-29 July under the theme “Love of Christ Compels Us.” The gathering drew nearly 200 participants from Europe, including the Ukraine, as well as from Colombia

When a wide-ranging ecumenical group discussed “Transitional Justice in Colombia, implications for the peace process”, many of the speakers seemed worried that the great hope there was back in 2016 seems to have dissipated and much more work for peace is needed.

A delegation comprised of two church leaders and a victim of death threats who lost family members due to the conflict in Colombia was hosted by the World Council of Churches (WCC) in New York, 27-30 May. All three spoke with member states of the United Nations Security Council about the worsening situation in relation to the peace accords with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia and the stalled dialogue with the National Liberation Army.