Interview
“My personal impressions of the summit are that it is really a historical moment—a moment for the world to pay close attention to,” she says. “I say that because it's amazing to see the leaders of the nations of the world come together over a process of a few years to say we are naming the existential threats that are affecting all of us and will continue to affect all of us.”
The historic agreement embodies a collective commitment to tackle the most urgent challenges of our time—climate change, inequality, peace, and justice.
“It is an important framework in part also because the nation states and the staff of the UN and others—partners throughout the world—have said we are naming not only the existential threats but the opportunities for us to move forward,” she says. “The framework's purpose is to chart a path, a road map.”
Walker-Smith applauds national leaders for developing not just a document that people read but also a call to action.
“All of us are affected by the issues named in the pact,” she says. “The pact is a call to action, not only a document for the shelf.”
Take a look
She encourages everyone to take a look at it. “No, you may not agree with every point but there’s something in there that will speak to you,” she says. “We must remember that 2024 and going forward is a very different world from the beginnings of the United Nations.”
She notes that the continent of Africa was under colonial rule during those times.
“There was a surge of independence that eventually took place over the following decade,” she says. “Since the inception of the United Nations, all of those countries are now independent and have their own mind, their own customs, and ways to enter, in a more equitable way, into the conversation.”
She further notes that the same is true of small island states. “We think about the Caribbean,” she said. “We think about the Pacific—all of these places were under colonial rule.”
She notes that we must make more of a pathway for women and girls who were not the primary audience at the beginning of the United Nations. “We must change our approach and find more equitable ways to be a community,” she says.
She notes that the World Council of Churches came out of World War II as did the United Nations.
“We will consider the pact as we are on our journey together on this planet,” she said. “The pact is at the center.”
Finally, she urges local communities and regions to own the pact so that it becomes “a living document for all of God's people.”
*The WCC is most thankful for the support of Simon Chambers, director of communications of ACT Alliance, to make this interview possible.
WCC welcomes adoption of United Nations Pact for the Future - WCC news release, 22 September 2024
WCC submits comments on draft UN “Pact for the Future” - WCC news release, 12 February 2024
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