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The WCC central committee officially began the Ecumenical Decade for Climate Justice Action (2025-2034), and asked the WCC general secretary to roll out the decade within the broader programmatic framework of the Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation, and Unity. The WCC central committee also asked the executive committee to monitor the ongoing process, especially in light of financial implications, and in terms of programmatic coherence.
Related to the report of the Report of the Working Group on Palestine and Israel, among other recommendations, the WCC central committee said that WCC must play a role in changing the international narrative by communicating the reality of 76 years of oppression of the Palestinian people, and by actively promoting the narrative of the imperative for freedom and self-determination of an oppressed people based on international law and religious and moral obligations.
The WCC central committee also decided that WCC advocacy and action must be focused on promoting accountability and the implementation of the established principles of international law, especially with regard to human rights violations, discrimination, occupation, ethnic cleansing, apartheid, the right to return, and the protection of civilians.
The WCC governing body called to establish a WCC global forum for freedom and self-determination of oppressed peoples – with a first focus on the Palestinian people.
The governing body will also continue the current WCC policy of sanctions against productions from illegal settlements. At the same time, the central committee encouraged investing in the work of Jewish and Palestinian people who are resisting Israel’s attacks on Palestinians.
The WCC central committee approved a proposal for a Conference on World Mission and Evangelism in 2028, asking the WCC executive committee to monitor the fundraising efforts, and, if necessary, to adapt the plans. The WCC governing body also asked that the conference contribute to the Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation, and Unity, and the theology of companionship.
The WCC governing body asked WCC member churches to make use of “best practices” provided by the Ecumenical Disability Advocates Network.
Related to long-range planning, the WCC governing body recommended a comprehensive reorientation of how and what WCC does programmatically, an accounting of the various dimensions that work done by WCC can mean work done by WCC member churches, WCC specialized ministries, or the WCC secretariat. Recommendations also included establishment of a funding advisory mechanism before and during the WCC 12th Assembly.
Learn more about the WCC programmatic work
Report of the Programme Committee, 2025
