Sustainability and Economy of Life

Life-in-creation today is imperiled by economic and ecological injustice. People are suffering the consequences of a warming climate and an endangered ecosystem stemming from unsustainable production and consumption. As global wealth increases, the gap between the poor and wealthy grows.

The project, building on the historic work of the WCC for sustainable communities, accompanies the work of member churches and struggles of communities impacted by unjust trade and financial structures and ecological destruction, and lifts up and celebrates examples of eco-just approaches. We also advocate for urgent transformations in economic policies, institutions and systems as well as the implementation of a climate-just agreement.

An economic system based on over-consumption and greed has become firmly rooted in today’s world and it is high time to change this paradigm by working for a New International Financial and Economic Architecture. 

Building on the Sao Paolo Statement: International Financial Transformation for an Economy of Life, the initiative advocates for a global financial and economic system that links finance to the real economy; is founded on the principles of economic, social and climate justice; accounts for social and ecological tasks; and sets clear limits to greed.

Key policy calls are contained in the document Economy of Life for all Now: An Ecumenical Action Plan for a New International Financial and Economic Architecture which outlines actions for churches in tackling public finance and debt, regulation of the financial sector and global economic governance.

The New International Financial and Economic Architecture is an initiative of the WCC together with the World Communion of Reformed Churches, the World Methodist Council, Council of World Mission and the Lutheran World Federation. 

In order to strengthen the voice of the churches with regards to global economics, a group of 20 current and future church leaders will attend the Ecumenical School on Governance, Economics and Management for an Economy of Life in Jakarta, Indonesia from 19-30 August 2019.

Presently churches’ ethical, moral and theological perspectives on the workings of the global economy have minimal impact on financial and economic policies, business practices and ways of thinking. To address this gap, the school aims to build economic literacy within churches by equipping participants with the tools and languages to effectively advocate for urgent transformations in the global financial and economic realm.

Learning objectives

The 10-day curriculum addresses the following objectives:

• Identify theological starting points for economic justice (why and how theology and ethics are deeply related to economic life)
• Provide a basic understanding of mainstream economic thinking
• Identify, relativize and contextualize methodologies and normative fundamentals of economics
• Widen the horizon of economics by introducing ecological, feminist and other pluralistic approaches
• Develop an interdisciplinary structure for bridging theological dimensions with economics
• Lay out the political and strategic implications for churches and their advocacy for an Economy of Life in the context of the Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace.

Nomination criteria

• MA or BA preferably in theology, economics/finance/business management or any social science; or demonstration of competence in the aforementioned fields
• Five years of leadership experience (except for youth until the age of 30)
• Sound insights into practices of public policy and passion for justice (assessed through an essay)
• Endorsement from a church or ecumenical organization

Among candidates who meet the nomination criteria, participants will be selected with a view to achieving regional, gender and denominational balance.

Participants are granted full scholarship, including flights, accommodation and full board. A minimum contribution of 100 US dollars is expected from each participant.

Application form and guidelines

Click to download:

The Application Form

The Guidelines

The Indicative Programme

Filled-out application forms and supporting documents should be sent to:

[email protected]. 

Further inquiries may be directed to 

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

“The way we interact with the economy and creation – not only as private persons, but also as congregations, communities and churches – is strongly connected with our faith convictions.”

The Roadmap is an invitation to congregations, communities and churches to discuss a 5-step programme to change the way we deal with the economy and our ecological surroundings in the following areas: living in accordance with the covenant with God and creation, renewable energy and climate protection, just and sustainable consumption, economies of life, and networking.

Download the Roadmap

Zacchaeus Campaign for Tax Justice and Reparations

The World Council of Churches (WCC) is supporting a new ecumenical campaign advocating for tax justice, called the Zacchaeus Project (#ZacTAX), that was launched on July 2019 at the United Nations in New York City.

The project is a part of the New International Financial and Economic Architecture initiative, a joint effort by the WCC, World Communion of Reformed Churches, Lutheran World Federation and Council for World Mission.

WCC supports Zacchaeus campaign for tax justice (WCC news release 12 July 2019)