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On International Youth Day, young people send clear message: we are strong peace-builders

On 12 August, young people across the world participated in the World Council of Churches (WCC) Ecumenical International Youth Day, which convened under the theme "Journey of Justice, Peace, and Unity: A Call to End Violence." The online event highlighted the experiences and resilience of young people and children living amidst conflict, emphasizing the urgent need for peace and support.

14 August 2024

Children pictured at the Pangani Lutheran Children Centre. The centre offers a project through which street children are offered comprehensive support including access to a home, education, as well as food and healthcare, Photo: Albin Hillert/Life on Earth Pictures

56th UN Human Rights Council adopts resolutions related to child safety, digital justice, and health

The 56th UN Human Rights Council, which concluded on 12 July, adopted 25 resolutions related to children, climate, health, and more.

16 July 2024

Sermon

Homily by Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay, WCC general secretary at the Presbyterian Church (USA) 226th General Assembly

"Living into Hope: Disciples Transforming the World", a homily by Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay, WCC general secretary on Jeremiah 22, Galatians 5, and Luke 4 at the Presbyterian Church (USA) 226th General Assembly in Salt Lake City, 2 July 2024.

02 July 2024

General Secretary

Statement: public statement

Statement on the Escalating Crisis in Gaza

The executive committee of the World Council of Churches (WCC), meeting in Bogotá, Colombia, on 6 to 11 June 2024, lifts up the suffering of the civilian population of Gaza in the midst of the ongoing attacks in the territory, with a death toll now surpassing 36,000 people, over two-thirds of them children and women, more than 83% of the population displaced (in most cases repeatedly), the complete destruction of medical, educational, and other civilian infrastructure, with more than 50% of homes destroyed, leaving over one million people homeless.

11 June 2024

Executive committee

Liturgical text

World Health Day Prayer Sunday 7 April 2024

With the Ecumenical Prayer Cycle, we pray for the people and churches of Romania, Hungary and Bulgaria.

World Health Day is April 7 when the World Health Organization commemorates its 76th anniversary. This year the theme is 'My Health, My Right, which reminds us to advocate for equitable access to health services and work towards a healthier, more inclusive world.

04 April 2024

WCC Programmes

Communion of Churches in Indonesia condemns torture of civilians in Papua

The Communion of Churches in Indonesia (PGI) has issued a statement unequivocally condemning torture against civilians in Papua, following the emergence of videos which appear to show the violent mistreatment of indigenous Papuans by members of Indonesian armed forces.

27 March 2024

Three WCC commissions close historic meeting, expressing hope in future work

As three World Council of Churches commissions—the Commission of the Churches on International Affairs, Commission on Health and Healing, and Commission on Climate Justice and Sustainable Development—completed their meeting on 8 March in Geneva, they came away with a sense of collaborative determination to address the world’s challenges with hope and with practical actions.

12 March 2024

Background document

The Church of Sweden: Ecumenical Catalyst, International Agent of Peace

15 February 2024

General Secretary

WCC-Farewell-bishop-OlavFykseTveit-photo-by-IvarsKupcis-20Jan2023-47.jpg

Swedish Mission Council hears WCC reflections on faith in democracy

As part of an “Inspirational Day” for the Swedish Mission Council held 30 January, Rev. Dr Kenneth Mtata, WCC programme director for Public Witness and Diakonia, shared reflections on “Faith in Democracy: Current challenges and opportunities from a global ecumenical perspective.”

07 February 2024

Church tower with a cross, seen through a star

Messages of hope amid strife ring for New Year

Across the globe, churches shared Christmas and New Year messages expressing hope amid the grave challenges in the world.

11 January 2024

What is gender-based online disinformation—and what can we do about it?

Lucina Di Meco, co-founder of #ShePersisted, shared research on gendered disinformation and online abuse against women in politics. She also shared suggestions for action during her presentation, part of a workshop for young church leaders on “Tackling Online Sexual and Gender-Based Violence.”

08 January 2024

Photo showing some of the devastation of war

Tackling sexual violence in war

War has always tragically impacted women and children, but the traumatic effects of weaponizing women in war have long been swept under the carpet.On 8 December, the World Council of Churches (WCC) held a hybrid discussion watched globally as part of the 16 Days Against Gender-based Violence.

14 December 2023

Trailblazers kick off 16 Days Against Gender-Based Violence with stories of resilience

Stories and deep insights, prayers, and even challenging questions about the future marked the kickoff of 16 Days Against Gender-Based Violence on 25 November with a webinar featuring trailblazers who have successfully intervened to bring about justice and equality across the world.

28 November 2023

Interview

ACT Alliance general secretary: “equity is not negotiable”

As the 78th session of the UN General Assembly and the first-ever Climate Action Summit were held in New York City in September, ACT Alliance general secretary Rudelmar Bueno de Faria reflected on the importance of the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the ecumenical movement in creating a more sustainable and equitable world.

26 September 2023

No peace without justice: Peacebuilding and human rights training equips young ecumenical leaders

With a focus on peacebuilding and human rights protection, The United Evangelical Mission’s International Summer School 2023, organized in cooperation with the World Council of Churches and other partners, took place in August and September in Hofgeismar, Germany.

08 September 2023

Report exposes Indonesian military assaults on West Papua’s Indigenous villages

Human Rights Monitor, a human rights organisation focusing on West Papua, Indonesia, has just released a report titled "Destroy Them First, Discuss Human Rights Later: An investigation of Indonesian Security Forces’ operations in Kiwirok under International Law.”

17 August 2023

Lecture - Speech

Keynote of Rev. Dr Kenneth Mtata at the International Conference for Reconciliation in Colombia

Keynote address of Rev. Dr Kenneth Mtata, WCC programme director for Public Witness and Diakonia at the "International Conference for Reconciliation in Colombia", Bogota, Colombia, 9 August 2023

09 August 2023

WCC Programmes

WCC, Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem call for end to attacks on holy sites

Vandalism targeting churches, cemeteries, and Christian properties in addition to physical and verbal abuse against Christian clergy have increased in the past months in the Holy Land, amid ongoing political tensions within Israeli society.

31 July 2023