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"Storytelling, whether in-person or online, is the backbone of the Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace" - interview with WCC deputy general secretary Prof. Dr Isabel Apawo Phiri

Prof. Dr Isabel Apawo Phiri, World Council of Churches (WCC) deputy general secretary for Public Witness and Diakonia, reflects on how the WCC’s Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace, though forced to change during COVID-19, has nonetheless brought gifts to the WCC and to the world.

WCC Programmes

As debt piles onto the backs of poor countries, Christian community calls for relief

In dialogue with the International Monetary Fund and World Bank, representatives of the global Christian community shared lived experiences from countries grappling with heavy debt burdens as well as concrete proposals to tackle the current debt crisis at a 29 March side-event titled, “The impact of debt on poor countries and proposals for fair and green recovery financing.” The side-event was organised by the World Council of Churches together with CAFOD, ChristianAid, Jubilee USA and other faith-based organisations at the Civil Society Policy Forum.

Global Christian Forum International Committee begins to plan global gathering

The Global Christian Forum International Committee convened virtually on 22-23 February. While discussing the work and focus of the Global Christian Forum, participants, including the World Council of Churches, discussed regional meetings as a good place for some of the necessary healing and bridge-building to take place before a larger global gathering, possibly in 2024.

Peace and unity on the Korean Peninsula matters globally

While the peace process on the Korean Peninsula needs further progress built on trust, the COVID-19 pandemic has severely affected international humanitarian support and development cooperation efforts. World Council of Churches (WCC) communications invited Peter Prove, director of the WCC Commission of the Churches on International Affairs, to discuss the current ecumenical engagement for Korea and role of churches in building a sustainable peace.

Joint Interfaith Statement on the Entry into Force of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons

As the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons enters into force on 22 January, the World Council of Churches joined other global faith communities in welcoming the groundbreaking moment. A joint statement endorsed by 156 organizations celebrated the milestone and, at the same time, noted that there is urgent work yet to be done to ensure a nuclear weapons-free world.

Commission on International Affairs

Young people offer visions for interreligious solidarity

Young people from the Hindu, Muslim and Christian faith traditions shared encouraging visions on the role of youth in promoting interfaith solidarity during the COVID-19 pandemic in a webinar jointly organised by the World Council of Churches (WCC), Lutheran World Federation and Network of Religious and Traditional Peacemakers.

ACT Alliance general secretary reflects on “an opportunity to build a new spirit for humanity”

The World Council of Churches is publishing a series of interviews that portray insights and reflections from the leaders of faith-based global and regional humanitarian and development organizations. Rudelmar Bueno de Faria is general secretary of ACT Alliance, which has secretariats in Switzerland, Jordan, Thailand, El Salvador, Kenya, Canada and New York. In addition, the ACT Alliance Advocacy office to the EU is based in Brussels, Belgium.

Global Christian Forum convenes online to reflect on aims during COVID-19 pandemic

The Global Christian Forum, on 3 September, virtually convened a committee of 29 people representing Christian traditions from all over the world. They reflected on the aims of the forum as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. Discussions centered around a paper delivered by Rev. Hubert van Beek, founding secretary of the Global Christian Forum, on the specific contribution of the forum to the ongoing search for Christian unity. Participants agreed that the forum should intensify its future work in two directions: reaching new generations of leadership and encouraging regional and national meetings of Christian leaders.

Joint Interfaith Statement on the 75th Anniversary of the Atomic Bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

As a wide coalition of faith-based communities from around the world, we have committed to speaking
with one voice that rejects the existential threat to humanity that nuclear weapons pose. We reaffirm that the presence of even one nuclear weapon violates the core principles of our different faith traditions and threatens the unimaginable destruction of everything we hold dear.

Ecumenical movement

WCC grieves passing of Rev. Dr Micheline Kamba Kasongo

“It is with great sadness that the World Council of Churches received news about the passing away of Rev. Dr Micheline Kamba Kasongo, an outstanding theologian and ecumenist who contributed enormously to many areas in the ecumenical movement,” said Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca, interim general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC).