At ACT Alliance EU forum, WCC director joins reflections on global shifts, collaboration

ACT Alliance EU is a network of European faith-based humanitarian and development organizations that works to influence European Union policies on international development, humanitarian aid, human rights, climate justice, migration, and related issues. It serves as the EU advocacy arm of the broader ACT Alliance.

Among the participants was Rev. Dr Kenneth Mtata, World Council of Churches programme director for Life, Justice, and Peace, who joined discussions on the changing political, economic, and social landscape facing faith-based organizations worldwide.

A central theme of the forum was the growing need for stronger cooperation among ecumenical partners as resources become increasingly constrained.

“What I realize is that, with many organizations, there is a resurfacing of the desire to collaborate,” said Mtata. “Resources have become limited, and more and more organizations realize that, for them to do much, they need to work with others.”

Participants reflected on ways to strengthen coordination, reduce duplication of efforts, and increase the collective impact of ecumenical action. Discussions highlighted the importance of communication between organizations already working on similar issues and the need to balance coordination efforts with practical action on the ground.

The forum also explored a series of structural shifts reshaping the global environment for development and humanitarian work. Among the most significant concerns raised was the changing nature of international aid.

“The first is that developmental aid is now subordinated to geopolitical shifts,” said Mtata. “This is a new reality, the moving away from traditional development aid to aid closely connected to geopolitical interests and economic interests.”

Participants further identified the erosion of democracy, the weakening of diplomatic engagement, the rise of militarization, and shrinking civic space as critical challenges affecting communities and civil society organizations around the world.

“The other issue is the change in the structure of financing of civil society, which has led to the constriction of civic space,” Mtata noted.

One of the major highlights of the forum was the emphasis on faith-based identity as a source of strength and legitimacy in civic engagement. Participants underscored the unique contribution that faith actors can make in responding to global challenges while advocating for justice and human dignity.

The forum also stressed the importance of expanding leadership, participation, and capacity-building opportunities for organizations and communities in the Global South, ensuring that responses to global challenges are locally led and enhance Christian solidarity. Throughout the discussions, participants affirmed that collaboration remains essential to effective ecumenical diakonia and collective action.

“I get a sense that collaboration is something that is affirmed in ecumenical diakonia and is always viewed as the only way to make our work have more impact,” Mtata reflected.