Christian Aid was founded in 1945 by British and Irish churches with a mandate to end the injustice of poverty, and to build a world in which every person has fulness of life.
Pillay’s visit will focus on ecumenical cooperation and on strengthening knowledge between Christian Aid and the WCC, and on deepening collaboration and mutual support, particularly in relation to global advocacy and solidarity work.
Pillay will have in-depth conversations with Christian Aid chief executive officer Patrick Watt and with Christian Aid staff teams.
One session, titled “Listening with two ears, speaking with one voice,” will center on climate justice and racial justice work. Pillay will offer an overview of the WCC’s work on overcoming racism, and will discuss how the WCC has created awareness on decolonization and reparations. The group will also talk about the challenges and opportunities of informal local ecumenical networks mobilising for justice in a global context.
Ecumenical leaders will join Pillay and Watt for a session entitled "Christ as a Spiritual Compass in Troubled Times” during which Pillay will deliver an address. Rev. Dr Susan Durber, WCC president from Europe, will give a response.
Pillay will also meet at the Quaker Office in London for a session, ”Pause to Reflect: Celebration, Opportunity & Challenge in the EAPPI Programme," to discuss the WCC Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel.