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Gathered in a church dating from the 12th century, the World Council of Churches seemed like a relative youngster as it celebrated its 60th anniversary Sunday 17 February.

A group of young adults again has a significant role at these Central Committee meetings in Geneva, with two dozen young people from 22 countries on five continents serving as stewards. They can be easily spotted around the building, all wearing their royal blue WCC shirts. The stewards assist in a variety of ways during the meetings, often behind the scenes, while learning about the ecumenical movement and the work of the WCC. Their tasks include distributing documents and translation headsets, monitoring the doors of the main hall, setting up for morning prayers, assisting the press operation, running errands, and much more---including the job of ringing bells to summon Central Committee members back to their tables after breaks. Stewards, chosen through a competitive application process, serve during each Central Committee meeting and Assembly.

Lors de l'ouverture de la session du comité central du COE, qui se tient à Genève du 13 au 20 février, les "éminences" et autres "saintetés" composant cette noble assemblée ont été saluées comme il se doit. Au milieu de ces 150 membres aux hautes fonctions ecclésiales, le président du comité central, Walter Altmann, a également choisi de saluer et de remercier les stewards présents.

Young Christians aged 18 to 30 now have the chance to apply for being one of 25 youth from all over the wo rld in the next WCC stewards programme from 6 -22 February 2008 . They will participate in the 13-20 February WCC c entral committee meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, contributing their work in the areas of worship, conference room, documentation, press office, sound, and other administrative and support tasks.

Les chrétiens entre 18 et 30 ans peuvent maintenant déposer leur candidature pour être parmi les 25 jeunes venus du monde entier participer au prochain programme de stewards du COE, du 6 au 22 février 2008. Ils apporteront leur aide au comité central du COE, qui se tiendra à Genève, Suisse. Le travail portera sur les célébrations, la salle de conférence, la documentation, la salle de presse, la sonorisation et sur diverses tâches pratiques et administratives.

The coordinator of the stewards programme at central committee says he is in that position because he himself was inspired by being part of a similar programme seven years ago.

More articles and free photos at

By Walt Wiltschek (*)

More articles and free photos at

More articles and free photos at

Les jeunes réunis en pré-assemblée veulent faire entendre leur voix dans le concert des prises de position de la rencontre de Porto Alegre. Tous souhaitent une présence plus forte dans la vie du Conseil œcuménique des Eglises (COE).

By Norman Shanks (*)

Par Norman Shanks (*)

<span style="font-weight: bold; "» Des responsables d'Eglises africains en visite en Israël et en Palestine

<span style="font-weight: bold; "» African church leaders visit Israel & Palestine

This year's Nobel Peace Prize affirms that "multilateral, legal and peaceable conduct of international affairs is not only possible but productive," said Peter Weiderud, director of the World Council of Churches Commission of the Churches on International Affairs (WCC/CCIA), commenting on the prize awarded to Mohamed El Baradei today. Weiderud also said that "control of nuclear arms and technology" is an "incontrovertible recognition of the God-given value of human life" and that, therefore, the award represents an "important investment in hope as well as peace".

<span style="font-weight: bold; "» Middle East, US, Caribbean and Latin American churches prepare for WCC Assembly

<span style="font-weight: bold; "» Les Eglises du Moyen-Orient, des Etats-Unis, des Caraïbes et de l'Amérique latine se préparent à l'Assemblée du COE

By Gustavo Bonato (*)

Par Gustavo Bonato (*)