Reconciliation was once primarily seen as a message of the church but is now used by secular leaders trying to establish peace in communities torn by conflict and war, the WCC president for Africa, the Rev. Mary Anne Plaatjies van Huffel, has said at a major Protestant gathering in Germany.
Exploring realities of multi-religious societies and discovering new ways of working together as faith communities to promote justice and peace, young Christian leaders from Asia have gathered in Cambodia to take part in a two-week training programme called Youth in Asia Training for Religious Amity (YATRA).
Firsthand reports on the extraordinary development of Christianity in Nepal and the growing need for improvements in theological education and participation in the ecumenical movement were all part of recent consultation on the future of theological education in South Asia.
Two highlights at the next 17-20 February 2004 meeting of the World Council of Churches (WCC) executive committee will be an in-depth presentation of WCC work on HIV/AIDS, and the formal installation of the council's new general secretary, Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia. The committee will also review the progress of work to prepare the next WCC assembly, and consider actions on public issues.
