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WCC urges World Economic Forum to consider longer-term good of all people

As the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting commenced in Davos beginning 15 January, World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay urged the gathering to renew its commitment to multilateral cooperation for the longer-term good of all people.

The forum is convening under the theme “Rebuilding Trust.”

15 January 2024

Statement: public statement

WCC statement on WEF Annual Meeting 2024

15 January 2024

General Secretary

People from a variety of faith traditions gather at the United Nations climate summit COP28

As COP28 concludes, WCC general secretary urges: “we, as people of faith, must continue to nurture hope”

Though COP28 failed to produce a credible plan to phase out fossil fuels, there is still reason for hope that the world can move toward climate justice, said World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay as COP28 concluded.

14 December 2023

Publication

Collage of black and white pan-African women in the ecumenical movement

Ahead of Her Time

Pan-African Women of Faith and the Vision of Christian Unity, Mission, and Justice

Angélique Keturah Walker-Smith

The author shares the untold stories of several pan-African women of faith from Africa, North America, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Europe who provided local, national, and global ecumenical leadership during formative periods of the modern-day ecumenical movement.

In addition to the author’s personal experiences with these women, the publication offers an important rewriting of the ecumenical narrative from a pan-African Women’s lens. It is hoped that the publication will strengthen the ecumenical agenda of a more inclusive community that embraces the objectives of the pilgrimage of justice and peace as it embraces the experience of these women who have historically been marginalized and affected by racism and gender discrimination.

01 November 2023

A journey through advocacy, women's leadership, and the Korea peace appeal

The call for peace in Korea has resonated for decades, echoing across international borders and faith communities. Patti Talbot, who has served The United Church of Canada for nearly 30 years, sheds light on the enduring relevance of ecumenical advocacy efforts for peace in the Korean Peninsula. She shared insights into the importance of these efforts and their potential to change the situation on the Korean Peninsula.

25 September 2023

Message

Children's Declaration to the New Global Financing Pact Summit

Children deliver rallying cry to Summit for a New Global Financing Pact: “replace the existing colonial economic model”.

16 August 2023

Ecumenical movement

Rev. Dr Kenneth Mtata: “Colombia is a deeply fragile but promising country”

Rev. Dr Kenneth Mtata, World Council of Churches (WCC) programme director for Public Witness and Diakonia, led a delegation that visited Colombia on 8-11 August to express solidarity with the Colombian churches, government and people as they collaborate in the design, implementation, and advocacy for the construction of peace in the country. Below, he shares his impressions of the visit.

15 August 2023

Lecture - Speech

Keynote of Rev. Dr Kenneth Mtata at the International Conference for Reconciliation in Colombia

Keynote address of Rev. Dr Kenneth Mtata, WCC programme director for Public Witness and Diakonia at the "International Conference for Reconciliation in Colombia", Bogota, Colombia, 9 August 2023

09 August 2023

WCC Programmes

Tribute

Eulogy of Prof. Dr Julio de Santa Ana, by Rev. Dr Konrad Raiser

20 April 2023

Ecumenical movement

WCC mourns loss of Omega Chilufya Bula, who opened doors of opportunity for many

The World Council of Churches (WCC) joins The United Church of Canada and many other churches and peoples across the world who are mourning the death of Omega Chilufya Bula, a beloved justice leader, sister, elder, pioneer, mentor, friend, and colleague.

03 February 2023

Observing landscape in West Bank, Occupied Palestinian Territories

WCC listens to Christian organizations in Holy Land ahead of WCC 11th Assembly

A World Council of Churches (WCC) delegation led by WCC acting general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca visited Jerusalem and the West Bank from 14-17 July, meeting with patriarchs and heads of Christian communities as well as local clergy and laity.

19 July 2022

Candlelight vigil for peace in the Korean Peninsula, part of "A Light of Peace" campaign sponsored by the World Council of Churches and the National Council of Churches of Korea December 2017, Photo: Paul Jeffrey/WCC

On Korean Peninsula, “the churches and the country need reconciliation and unity”

Rev. Dr Hyunju Bae represents the Presbyterian Church of Korea on the World Council of Churches central and executive committees and serves on the WCC Gender Advisory Group. She is a former professor of New Testament Studies at the Busan Presbyterian University, Republic of Korea, and now a co-president of the Korea Christian Environmental Movement Solidarity for Integrity of Creation. Below, she reflects on a recent prayer vigil for peace, as well as other ecumenical activities in South Korea.

30 May 2022

Elke Büdenbender speaks at the launch of "Go for Gender Justice" by the Protestant Church in Germany, 1 February 2022, photo: Ulf Beck/EKD

“Go for Gender Justice” initiative opened by Protestant Church in Germany in Berlin

A “Go for Gender Justice” initiative was launched by the Protestant Church in Germany in Berlin on 1 February with calls for overcoming gender clichés and traditional role models. Germany’s "First Lady,” the judge Elke Büdenbender called on women and men to fight together for social change. Under the motto "Go for Gender Justice,” nine regional churches invited people to move together toward gender equality.

08 February 2022

Statement: public statement

Statement on recent developments in Palestine and Israel

By the WCC Executive Committee, November 2021.

17 November 2021

Executive committee

South African Council of Churches calls for restoration, healing in wake of unrest

The South African Council of Churches, in a 15 July statement, called for supporting a campaign of restoration and addressing the root causes of the unrest that is happening simultaneously with a third wave of COVID-19.

15 July 2021

South African Council of Churches appeals for calm in the midst of looting

A 12 July statement from the South African Council of Churches notes with deep concern the violence and destruction of property that is engulfing the nation. “This violence is resulting in untold suffering,” the statement reads.

13 July 2021

Lecture - Speech

"Pandemic and health crisis in Brazil", by Peter Prove, director of the World Council of Churches Commission of the Churches on International Affairs

Address by the director of the World Council of Churches Commission of the Churches on International Affairs, Mr Peter Prove, to the international online seminar: "Brazilian Tragedy: a risk for our Common Home?" (4-6 May 2021)

07 May 2021

WCC Programmes

H.E. Cardinal Silvano M. Tomasi reflects on moving towards a nuclear-free world

In an exclusive interview with the World Council of Churches, H.E. Cardinal Silvano M. Tomasi reflects on the the global conversation about a world free from nuclear weapons, and how churches can get involved. He also shares his insights on strategies to decrease the funds allocated to the arms race and dedicate them to economic recovery.

18 February 2021