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World conference on xenophobia, racism, and populist nationalism in the context of global migration

18 - 20 September 2018

Convinced of the pivotal role that the churches can play in the task of promoting a just and peaceful human society, the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development and the World Council of Churches in collaboration with the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, undertake to host a world conference that brings together governmental, intergovernmental, civil society, academic, religious, and ecumenical leaders and actors from around the globe to reflect and together seek cohesive and realistic responses to the phenomenon of increasing xenophobia [xénos/stranger+phóbos/fear], racism, and populist nationalism in political and social responses to migrants and refugees. The conference is committed to inclusive participation and to hearing the voices of migrants and refugees themselves.

Ergife Palace Hotel, via Aurelia 619, Rome, Italy

Young people play key role during papal visit

A young Samoan Methodist who had a role in the prayer service with Pope Francis during the pontiff’s visit to the World Council of Churches (WCC) in Geneva says it is significant that young people were chosen to read prayers and messages.

Ideas and advocacy of Brigalia Bam still vibrant today

Most South Africans know of Brigalia Bam as chairperson of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), where she served from 1999 to 2011. Previously secretary general of the South African Council of Churches, and already an IEC commissioner, she was chosen by then-President Nelson Mandela from the list of parliamentary nominees for this critical role. In a country that had recently been on the brink of racial civil war, she guided South Africans with humour, tolerance and impartiality along the path of inclusive democracy.

A call for information: church projects helping children on the move

WHAT: A Global Church Partners Forum on “Children on the Move,” including refugees as well forcibly displaced children and adolescents. The forum will provide a platform for a diverse group of Christian faith-based organisations to reflect on how they are helping to end violence against children on the move.

#FaithOverFear: WCC helps support openness towards refugees

”We are a movement of people whose faith has called us to open our hearts and our communities to refugees,” reads the presentation of Faith Over Fear, a new initiative brought to the fore by Religions for Peace, UNICEF, and a global coalition of religious leaders, including the World Council of Churches.

Not just numbers, displaced people need to share their stories

There are currently over 65 million people around the world who have been forced from their homes, according to the UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR, but all those who are displaced are not mere statistics. They are people, something that can be missed by the mass media in reporting on them. This observation was highlighted in a discussion at the WCC on 30 January when representatives of church groups, the United Nations and a Christian media organization discussed media coverage of refugees at a “tray-lunch” presentation.

Religious organizations speak up on refugee crisis at UN event

On 22 January, the World Council of Churches, together with the ACT Alliance, General Board of Church and Society of the United Methodist Church, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, United Nations Office on Genocide Prevention and Responsibility to Protect, and the UN Inter-Agency Task Force with Faith Based Organizations, co-organized the Fourth Annual Symposium on the Role of Religion and Faith-Based Organizations (FBOs) in International Affairs with the theme “Perspectives on migration: displacement and marginalization, inclusion and justice”.

"Perspectives on Migration: Displacement and Marginalization, Inclusion and Justice. An Ecumenical Vision"

"Perspectives on Migration: Displacement and Marginalization, Inclusion and Justice.
An Ecumenical Vision" - Speech by Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, general secretary of the World Council of Churches at the reception hosted by UNICEF, in New York, 22 January 2018, as part of as part of the 4th Annual Symposium on the Role of Religion and Faith-Based Organizations in International Affairs.

General Secretary

WCC to co-host public event on migration and displacement at UN

Why do people move? When their movement is forced, how should this be addressed? How can nations and faith-based organizations work together to mitigate the causes of forced migration and protect individuals who are forced to flee? What are the national and international legal architectures that need to be constructed to prevent a repeat of our recent failures as nations and organizations to protect and provide for migrants? What risks and rights challenges do migrants face in transit and in destination countries? What are the social costs of migration? And what is the benefit of host nations receiving migrants?