2006 wcc ar artwork...christ, through witness and service to the world, and to advance towards that...

World Council of Churches

Annual Review 2005

2006 WCC AR artwork 8/06/06 10:44 Page 2

“The primary

purpose of the

fellowship of

churches in the

World Council of

Churches is to

call one another

to visible unity in

one faith and in

one eucharistic

fellowship,

expressed in

worship and

common life in

Christ, through

witness and

service to the

world, and to

advance towards

that unity in order

that the world

may believe.”

From the Constitution of the World Council of Churches


Introduction 2

Year in Review 2005 4

Nurturing the Fellowship of Churches 8

Building the Unity of the Church 9

Churches Seeking Peace 10

Churches in International Affairs 11

Churches in Dialogue with Other Faiths 12

Come, Holy Spirit, Heal and Reconcile! 14

Churches Caring for Life 16

Churches Serving Human Need 17

Education: Carrying the Ecumenical Vision 18

Bossey: An Ecumenical Laboratory 19

The Quest for Peace with Justice in the Holy Land 20

Churches in the Struggle against HIV and AIDS 21

Recent WCC Publications and Resources 22

WCC Member Churches 2005 24

WCC Governing Bodies and Staff Leadership 2006 25

WCC Financial Overview 2005 26

WCC Income and Donors 2005 27

WCC on the World Wide Web 28

WCC Programmes and Activities 2005 29

World Council of ChurchesP.O. Box 2100, CH-1211 Geneva 2, SwitzerlandTel: +41 22 791 6111Fax: +41 22 791 0361E-mail: [email protected]: www.wcc-coe.org

WCC Annual Review 2005Project and editorial coordination: WCC/Alexander Belopopsky.Texts: WCC/Alexander Belopopsky with WCC programme staff.Technical editing: WCC/Theodore Gill, Libby Visinand.Production: WCC/Yannick Provost.Membership and finance data: WCC/Jean-Nicolas Bazin, Elaine Dykes.Photo credits: WCC/Peter Williams; ACT International/Jeffrey; Høvring; Opseth.Cover: Saint George church in Izraa, Syria; A critical moment in interreligious dialogue; Praying at the mission conference, Greece; Preparing the 9th Assembly during the central committee meeting.Inside cover: Pentecost by Japanese artist Sadao Watanabe.Design and Layout: Aplin Clark (UK).

WCC Annual Review 2005

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nte

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The year 2005 was shaped by two major areasof engagement for the fellowship of churchesthat forms the WCC: a special focus onmission and evangelism culminating in theworld mission conference, and renewedefforts in the area of interreligious dialogue.This was also a year of intensive preparationfor the 9th Assembly in early 2006, includingan evaluation of programmatic work whichhas laid the foundation for a refocusing ofour future activities.

The world mission conference in Athens in May, thethirteenth since the great gathering of missionariesin Edinburgh almost a century ago, broughttogether an impressive spectrum of Christianchurches, reaching far beyond the traditional WCCmembership to embrace Roman Catholics,Evangelicals and Pentecostals. The message ofmission as healing that was affirmed by the eventis a powerful one, and the reflection and exchangeat the conference will undoubtedly nourish work inevangelism and witness for many years. The missionconference was also the first to be held in apredominantly Orthodox context, and manifestedthe hospitality and contribution of this family ofchurches to the life and work of the WCC.

Dialogue with other faiths has formed a core partof the WCC mandate and agenda for decades. Thetwo major initiatives taken during 2005 areevidence of the renewed attention and importancethat the WCC is giving to interfaith dialogue in aglobal context of growing violence and tension.While interfaith initiatives have multiplied in recentyears, rarely has such a broad gathering of religiousleaders and scholars met in order to make a criticalappraisal of the state of dialogue, as was the casewith the “Critical Moment” conference in June inGeneva. The outcomes of the meeting point to aqualitative shift in interreligious dialogue, movingbeyond encounter to deeper forms of collaboration.In a world in which we can perceive growingconflicts of identity, I am convinced that the WCChas a special responsibility to nurture a dialogueamong cultures and faiths.

Introduction

“To maintain its vitality andrelevance in the21st century, the ecumenicalmovement will need not only totransform itsstructures and style,but also to recoverthe strength of itsspiritual and faithorigins”


3

The pre-Assembly evaluation report presented tothe central committee in February 2005 offered anunprecedented review of the WCC’s activity, basedon a broad survey of member churches andpartners. The evaluation looked at all of the WCC’sprogrammatic efforts over a period of years, andcritically assessed levels of knowledge, participationand support within the constituency. The resultspoint to some of the major successes of the WCC –but also reveal the need for important changes instyle and priorities if the WCC is to maintain itsrelevance after almost 60 years of work.

The year also saw the completion of new researchprepared for the 9th Assembly confirming theextraordinary breadth of the WCC membership.With the new members accepted in 2005, the totalnumber of churches forming the WCC becomes348, representing more than 560 million believersin all regions.

I believe that the WCC’s strength remains its abilityto bring together this wide spectrum of theChristian world around a common agenda and toform a common voice. Despite many challengesfacing the fellowship, I am convinced that theWCC’s unique contribution is needed more thanever, and that the first Assembly in the newcentury, in 2006, will mark a new stage on theecumenical journey.

Throughout the year, new efforts were made toexplore the role of spirituality in our ecumenicallife. In many places we see a quest for authenticspirituality, often expressed outside the traditionalforms of being church, which gives evidence of thethirst for expressing faith that invites more creative,less bureaucratic and more relational values inChristian living. To maintain its vitality andrelevance in the 21st century, the ecumenicalmovement will need not only to transform itsstructures and style, but also to recover thestrength of its spiritual and faith origins as a sourceof renewal and engagement that links work forunity with witness to the world, things of the spiritwith action for liberation, justice and peace.

Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia

WCC General Secretary

The World Council of Churchesaims to promote Christian unity in faith, witness and service.Within the contemporary world where the map of Christianityis being radically redrawn, the World Council of Churches(WCC) represents a unique global “fellowship of churches” -348 member churches from North and South, East and West,and from the Anglican, Protestant, Orthodox, Old Catholic,Pentecostal and uniting church traditions - that committhemselves to stay, to pray, to act and to journey together.

The modern ecumenical movement began in the latenineteenth and early twentieth centuries, when Christiansbegan increasingly to pray and work together acrossdenominational boundaries. By the 1920s, several pioneeringmovements had been formed to advance the cause of churchunity worldwide.

In 1937, church leaders from Protestant and Orthodoxtraditions agreed to establish a World Council of Churches,and in 1948 representatives of 147 churches gathered inAmsterdam to constitute the WCC. Since that time, a growingnumber of churches on every continent have joined thissearch for Christian unity.

Today the WCC works with its members on a broad range of issues, ranging from theological dialogue, education,interfaith relations, to action for justice and peace. The WCCis governed by an elected central committee, moderated in2005 by Catholicos Aram I, head of the Armenian ApostolicChurch (Cilicia). A new governing body and officers are to beelected by the 9th Assembly. Since 2004, Rev. Dr SamuelKobia (from Kenya) is the general secretary and heads the170 staff based at the WCC headquarters in Geneva. TheWCC maintains offices in the USA, the Middle East, EasternEurope and the Pacific and also operates programmes inother regions.

In February 2006, the WCC holds its 9th Assembly in PortoAlegre, Brazil, gathering thousands of participants fromvirtually every Christian tradition to pray, celebrate, deliberate and act together. Full details of the 9thAssembly are available on: www.wcc-assembly.info


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Orthodox churches prepare for 9th Assembly

A meeting of Orthodox member churches tookplace in January in Rhodes, Greece, to prepare forthe WCC’s 9th Assembly. The meeting reflected onthe Assembly themes of grace and transformation,offered a prayerful meditation to the Assembly, andaffirmed the work and recommendations of theSpecial Commission on Orthodox Participation inthe WCC, which outline significant changes inculture and work methods for the organization.

WCC at the World Social Forum 2005

“Affirming life in dignity: enhancing justice andrights in a globalized world” was the overall themefor the WCC’s participation in the 5th World SocialForum in January in Porto Alegre, Brazil. WCCdelegates organized a series of seminars thataffirmed the dignity of life in a world sufferingfrom the consequences of economic globalization,including a panel on women’s spirituality and theirkey role in resistance, a seminar dealing with peaceand reconciliation, and a panel on ecological debt.

Global ecumenical allianceagainst poverty and injustice

The WCC, together with ecumenical agencies and churches working in the field of relief anddevelopment, agreed on the creation of a new international alliance of church-relatedorganizations to address issues of poverty andinjustice. Consensus on the new internationalecumenical initiative, likely to use the name ACT – Action by Churches Together, was achieved in a series of consultations during 2005. Generalsecretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia underlined thehistoric nature of the agreement, remarking thatthe plans ushered in “a new era of collaborationbetween churches, ecumenical agencies and theWCC”.

Central committee urges clarity and coherence

The WCC central committee – the last before newelections in 2006 – meeting in February, outlinedan extensive reshaping and streamlining of WCCactivity to better equip the global Christian bodyfor a “fast-changing” world context and newpatterns of church life. Endorsing an evaluation of programmatic activity, the WCC’s centralcommittee urged the Council “to do less and to do it well” in order “to develop greater clarity andcoherence in its unique role as a global fellowshipof churches”. As part of an underlying shift inorganizational culture, the 158-member body alsoadjusted its rules and adopted consensus decision-making procedures.

Economic measures for peace in Israel/Palestine

The WCC central committee also agreed toencourage the Council’s member churches to use their investments “responsibly in support ofpeaceful solutions” to the Israeli-Palestinianconflict. The WCC governing body encouraged the Council’s member churches “to give seriousconsideration to economic measures that areequitable, transparent and non-violent” as a newway to work for peace by looking at ways to avoideconomic participation in illegal activities related to the Israeli occupation. The decision, whichresembled those of some WCC member churches,attracted widespread international attention – andreactions.

Concern for the Christianminority in Bangladesh

Religious intolerance and the need to strengtheninterfaith dialogue at the grassroots level werediscussed by WCC general secretary Rev. Dr SamuelKobia and Prof. Dr Iajjudin Ahmed, president of thePeople’s Republic of Bangladesh, during a visit tothe country in March. Kobia expressed concern with increasing acts of religious intolerance andviolation of minority rights in the Muslim-majoritycountry. The WCC leader also asked presidentAhmed to consider declaring Easter Sunday as apublic holiday, which met with a positive responsefrom the head of state.

Year

in R

evi

ew

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05

Year in Review 2005

Coming to consensus: central committeeapproves change in culture

People first: new alliance toconfront poverty and injustice


5

Pope John Paul II: outstandingfigure in modern Christendom

The WCC expressed its “profound sadness”following the death of Pope John Paul II. WCCcentral committee moderator Catholicos Aram Isaid that Pope John Paul II will remain an“outstanding figure” in the modern history of worldChristendom, adding that “his relentless effort tomake the Gospel of Christ a living reality in the life of people, and his continuous advocacy forjustice, human rights and freedom made him anexceptional figure of great achievements”. The WCCgeneral secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia emphasizedthat “Pope John Paul II will be remembered as oneof the most courageous spiritual leaders of ourtime”.

Decade to Overcome Violence Asia focus

Asia has the potential to become economicallyprosperous in the near future, but is also likely tosee increasing disparities of health and wealth.These injustices are themselves a form of violencethat may in turn lead to yet more expressions ofviolence in the region. This potential scenariomakes the focus on the Asian region in 2005 by the Decade to Overcome Violence (DOV) all themore relevant.

This assessment was voiced by Rev. Rothangliani R.Chhangte from the American Baptist Churches inthe USA during the formal launch of the DOV Asiafocus at the general assembly of the ChristianConference of Asia (CCA) on Saturday 2 April inChiang Mai, Thailand.

Athens world mission conference 2005

More than 600 representatives of churches andmission organizations gathered in Athens in May at the 13th Conference on World Mission andEvangelism, under the theme “Come, Holy Spirit,heal and reconcile - Called in Christ to bereconciling and healing communities”. The event,one of the broadest such gatherings, includedstrong Roman Catholic as well as Pentecostalparticipation, and was the first to be held in apredominantly Orthodox country since the firstworld mission conference in 1910.

WCC delegation in Greece

“The church does not close its eyes to the burningissues of our times, issues that can only be dealtwith effectively through coordinated efforts and aunited Christian witness,” stated ArchbishopChristodoulos of Athens during a meeting with aWCC delegation in Athens in May. Meetings wereheld with members of the 12-person Holy Synod ofthe Church of Greece and other hierarchs. Kobiaexpressed the “deep gratitude” of the Council forthe invitation of the Church of Greece to host theworld mission conference, and for the “splendidwelcome” of the Holy Synod.

WCC marks “new phase” inglobal interreligious dialogue

Meeting in Geneva in June, representatives of the world’s main faith communities proposed toreshape the approach to global interreligiousdialogue in order more effectively to face threatsposed by the current world context. Attending theWCC’s “Critical Moment Conference”, over 130Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu andother religious leaders, academics, human rightsactivists, humanitarian workers, journalists, andpeople experienced in working across religioustraditions and from virtually all regions outlinedstrategies to emphasize interreligious dialogue alsoas common action, including new education andtraining programmes and exchanges that foster a culture of dialogue. Calling the conference a“landmark event”, the WCC leadership reiteratedthe strengthened commitment of the worldwidefellowship of churches to interfaith dialogue andunderstanding.

Churches and terror

An ecumenical consultation on the theme ofterrorism, human rights and counter-terrorismgathered church, political and academic specialistsin Geneva. Convened by the WCC, the consultationstudied the ethical dimensions of violence andterror - and the controversial political responsesfrom around the world. Churches and religiouscommunities have been affected by acts of terror,and the clampdown on terrorist suspects, in severalregions. The WCC has led ecumenical initiatives to maintain dialogue and exchange across politicaland faith dividing lines. The event prepared thebackground for a statement on terrorism, counter-terrorism and human rights for the WCC 9thAssembly in 2006.

Year in Review 2005

WCC hosts interreligious dialogue, Geneva

Liberation theologian Leonardo Boff speaksat the World Social Forum 2005

With Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens


6

Kobia meets with Pope Benedict XVI

A three-point agenda for further collaboration -understanding of the church, spirituality, andecumenical formation - was proposed by the WCCgeneral secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia to PopeBenedict XVI during their first meeting on 16 Juneat the Vatican. Kobia also invited the pope to visitthe WCC headquarters “as yet one more concretestep in our long journey towards visible unity”. Inhis remarks, Benedict XVI assured Kobia that thechurch he heads is “eager to continue cooperation”with the WCC, and expressed hope that the visithad been “fruitful, strengthening the bonds ofunderstanding and friendship between us. Thecommitment of the Catholic Church to the searchfor Christian unity is irreversible.”

Kobia on official visit to theRussian Orthodox Church

The head of the Russian Orthodox Church, PatriarchAlexis II, expressed gratitude for actions of“authentic Christian solidarity” by ecumenicalorganizations during the Soviet period, andaffirmed the commitment of his church to fullparticipation in the WCC, during a meeting with a WCC delegation visiting Moscow in June. Thepatriarch also welcomed the results of the SpecialCommission on Orthodox participation in the WCC,which was set up by the Council in 1998 to addressthe concerns of its Orthodox membership and toenable their voice to be more effectively heard.

WCC inaugurates ecumenicalresearch centre

A renewed library and research facility was officially inaugurated by the WCC in June as part of a long-term effort to renew academic researchcapacity in ecumenism and theology - an effortmade possible by a donation from the BanquePictet & Cie. Situated outside Geneva, on thegrounds of the Ecumenical Institute at Bossey, the site complements the main library and archiveslocated at the WCC’s headquarters in Geneva.

With this new phase of development, the WCClibrary and archives now form one of the leadinginternational academic resources on theology andecumenism. The library contains over 130,000books, periodicals, and thousands of unique archivaldocuments, photos and videos covering the historyof the ecumenical movement from the 19thcentury to the present day.

Kobia in Cuba: for religiousequality and against the blockade

All Cuban churches should receive equal treatmentby the state in order to meet the challenges raisedby their pastoral ministry, said a WCC delegationreceived by Cuban President Fidel Castro at the endof a four-day visit to the island in August. Duringmeetings with Protestant and Catholic church and ecumenical leaders, the delegation witnessed at first hand the negative consequences of theeconomic embargo imposed on the island by theUSA.

International day of prayer for peace

In 2005, for the second year running, churchesrepresenting over 560 million Christians worldwidewere invited to mark the UN International Day ofPeace, 21 September, as an International Day ofPrayer for Peace. Launched in 2004 by the WorldCouncil of Churches in the framework of its Decade to Overcome Violence: Churches SeekingReconciliation and Peace (2001-2010), the initiativecalls on churches all over the world to arrange forservices or vigils on 21 September, as well as toinclude prayers for peace in their services on theSunday before or after that day. The WCC messageto the churches emphasized that “Christianspirituality is not a call to retreat from social actionand public life. As injustice and violence grow, wehave all the more reason to pray with and for oneanother and for our world.”

www.overcomingviolence.org

WCC “compassion and solidarity”with victims of Hurricane Katrina

The World Council of Churches expressed itscompassion, and the solidarity of WCC memberchurches, with all the victims of Hurricane Katrinathat struck the southern coast of the USA inSeptember. “The whole fellowship of the WorldCouncil of Churches unites in prayer for the people,leaders and churches of the United States as youcome to grips with the tragedy brought to yourshores by Hurricane Katrina. We pray for those whomourn, who suffer, who search for meaning. Andwe pledge our solidarity with those who havebegun the task of rebuilding broken walls andrestoring stricken lives. In particular, we hold in ourprayers all the church relief agencies, workers andvolunteers who are struggling to assist those inneed,” the WCC pastoral message to US churchesstated.

Year in Review 2005

WCC general secretary in audience withPope Benedict XVI

Space of dialogue: the ecumenicalresearch centre at Bossey


7

WCC executive urges churches to exercise unique potential for peace

Churches must take responsibility to nurturehealing in broken societies and to promote peace,urged the WCC executive committee in publicstatements on Haiti and small arms adopted inSeptember 2005, at its last full meeting prior to theWCC 9th Assembly in 2006. In a statement on smallarms and light weapons, the committee urgedchurches to exercise their “unique potential” tocurb demand for guns and “to affirm God’s visionof life in peace and fullness” by “changing publicattitudes, shaping community values and becominga public voice against gun violence”. Referring tothe critical situation in Haiti, the committeeacknowledged the “enormous challenges faced bythe people and the witness of the churches in thecountry”. It also underlined its “concern for thecurrent unstable political situation”, as well as forthe extreme poverty, violence and human sufferingexperienced by the island’s population.

WCC general secretary visits Ethiopia

“As custodians of an ancient spiritual heritage,Ethiopian Christianity has a unique contributionwhich is of central importance in Africa and to theecumenical family worldwide,” stated the generalsecretary of the World Council of Churches, Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia, during his first official visitto the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church inSeptember 2005. Meeting at the start of the visitwith Patriarch Abune Paulos, leader of the 38-million-member Ethiopian Orthodox Church, Kobiacontrasted the “moral wealth” of the Africancontinent with the “fear and poverty” which marksthe lives of so many in Africa, whose peoplestruggle with “HIV and AIDS, insecurity, corruptionand conflict”.

“Keeping the Faith”: WCClaunches multimedia project

The ecumenical movement is a reality for peopleand congregations around the world who live theirfaith on a daily basis. An integrated communicationproject, “Keeping the Faith” shows this reality, andconveys the vitality of the ecumenical movementtoday. The project offers a glimpse of the immensespiritual riches and cultural diversity within theecumenical movement and the Christian world.Launched ahead of the WCC 9th Assembly takingplace in February 2006 in Brazil, the projectincludes a mobile exhibit, photo essays, a book and a website: www.keeping-the-faith.info

Geneva interreligious eventfocuses on identity

Co-organized by the WCC and the GenevaInterreligious Platform with the support of Pictet & Cie, a three-day interreligious weekend entitled “My neighbour’s faith and mine. Religiousidentities: for better or for worse?” included apublic panel discussion, a youth forum, aninternational colloquium, an inter-faith celebration,and a cultural exhibition. The November weekendoffered the Geneva public an opportunity toexplore avenues towards better mutualunderstanding and acceptance of religious andcultural diversity. Both the WCC and the GenevaInterreligious Platform are active in Geneva, andfoster dialogue and understanding among differentfaiths; the WCC has been involved in the field ofinterreligious dialogue for over thirty years.

Year in Review 2005

WCC delegation visits the Russian Orthodox Church

Keeping the Faith: a multimedia mosaic

Critical moment: encounter offaiths and cultures

In Ethiopia, custodians of an ancient spiritual heritage


8

Strengthening the One Ecumenical Movement

Nurturing the Fellowshipof ChurchesAs the most inclusive body bringing theChristian churches together at the globallevel, and with one of the widest networks ofecumenical partnerships, the WCC affirms thatits main objective is to assist the churches intheir search for visible unity and to serve theoneness and coherence of the ecumenicalmovement.

The entire year was marked by preparations for the9th Assembly of the WCC in Brazil, in February2006. Almost all activities related to this majorevent in the life of the Council and of theecumenical movement as a whole.

The general secretary continued his series of visitsto member churches and ecumenical partners inadvance of the Assembly, and during 2005 he metwith church, civil society and political leaders inBangladesh, Cuba, Denmark, Ethiopia, Greece, Haiti,Norway, Russia, Sweden, Thailand, and the Vatican,among others. The dialogue enabled questions andchallenges to be articulated in advance of theAssembly by the churches and other partners.

The central committee, meeting in February 2005,finalized the Assembly preparations, including thereception of an important pre-Assembly programmeevaluation report, which was the first time a globalevaluation of WCC activity had been undertaken. Italso received eight new churches into thefellowship of the WCC.

Reviewing the partnership between the WCC andchurch-related aid and development agencies, the

central committee created a new process forstrengthening cooperation. The committee alsoagreed to move to a consensus method of decision-making, which was one of the results of the SpecialCommission on Orthodox Participation in the WCC.

The network of ecumenical officers, responsible forinternational and inter-church relations in theirchurches, was further strengthened in advance ofthe Assembly, which many were invited to attend as “advisors to the delegation”. This group plays an important role of liaison and interpretationbetween the WCC and its member churches. MostWCC member churches also belong to confessionalgroupings, or Christian World Communions, andefforts to nurture these partnerships continuedduring the year.

The Joint Consultative Group between the WCC and Pentecostal churches, most of which are notmembers of the WCC, finalized its report. The grouprecommended further dialogue, and encouragedregional encounters, opening the way for reinforcedcollaboration.

The celebration of the 40th anniversary of the JointWorking Group between the WCC and the RomanCatholic Church in November 2005 offered anopportunity to harvest some of the fruits of fourdecades of collaboration. At a consultation inGeneva, the two parent bodies listed a number of“new challenges” that are demanding a responsefrom Christians together, and pointed to new formsof collaboration.

“The WCC

affirms that its

main objective

is to assist the

churches in

their search for

visible unity and

to serve the

oneness and

coherence of

the ecumenical

movement”40th anniversary meeting of the Joint Working Group between the WCC and the Roman Catholic Church


9

“Faith and Order

works with the

churches to

identify and

affirm the bases

of their common

faith and

commitment to

one another

within the

ecumenical

fellowship”

Building the Unityof the ChurchFaith and Order works with the churches toidentify and affirm the bases of their commonfaith and commitment to one another withinthe ecumenical fellowship. This involvesdetailed theological work, clarifying what iscommon and fundamental in the churches’convictions and self-understandings. Faith and Order’s mandate includes working on all sources of division among churches –theological, historical, cultural, social.

Faith and Order worked on completing andpublishing the studies pursued since the previousWCC Assembly in 1998. This included taking stockof the results - and the experience - of the Faithand Order plenary commission meeting held inKuala Lumpur in 2004.

A major study on ecclesiology came to fruition with the publication of The Nature and Mission ofthe Church: A Stage on the Way to a CommonStatement. The challenge here was to state whatthe churches can now say together about thechurch - while identifying realistically the issueswhich divide them and how these might beovercome. Texts were produced also on thechallenges posed by ethnic and national identitiesto the unity of the church and its witness; and ontheological issues posed by the search for peace in a violent world. Study processes continued inseveral areas including the practice and mutualrecognition of baptism, and ecumenicalhermeneutics (how churches understand - ormisunderstand - one another’s texts, symbols, rites

and practices). Through reflecting on how worshipcan support - or pose problems for - the search forunity, and by producing practical materials forworship use, Faith and Order continued to supportthis area of the life of the church.

A text on Christian Perspectives on TheologicalAnthropology produced in 2005 exploredcontemporary challenges to the idea of humanbeings made “in the image of God”, challengescoming from scientific developments but also fromissues such as gender, disabilities, poverty and socialdeprivation.

In a new project, together with the monasticcommunity of Bose in Italy, Faith and Order soughtto identify and celebrate exemplary witnesses to theChristian faith. This initiative has a distinctive, andchallenging, ecumenical dimension: churches havebeen asked to identify each other’s saints, not onlytheir “own”.

As in previous years, material for use in the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity was prepared andpublished jointly with the Roman Catholic Church,which is a full partner in this area of the WCC’smandate. Faith and Order (working with a SouthAfrican group) organized the preparatory meetingfor the materials for 2007. This challenging materiallinks Christian unity to the churches’ witness in theface of HIV and AIDS, poverty, and violence.Increasing interest in the Week of Prayer material isbeing shown by the churches at grassroots level.

Faith & Order


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Decade to Overcome Violence

Churches Seeking Peace

The “Decade to Overcome Violence – ChurchesSeeking Reconciliation and Peace 2001-2010”(DOV) was a prophetic decision of the WCC’s8th Assembly in 1998 which rapidly becameone of the WCC’s emblematic initiatives. In2006, the DOV reaches its mid-term.

The WCC publicized the Decade’s call within theecumenical family and encouraged the involvementof churches and groups in their own contexts.During the five years since the launch, the DOVcoordination office of the WCC has promoted studyand reflection, working to mobilize thousands ofchurches, organizations and individuals in actionsfor peace.

The 2005 DOV regional focus was launched at the12th Assembly of the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) in Thailand under the guiding theme“Building Communities of Peace for All”. An inter-religious conference held near Jakarta was one ofseveral highlights in the region, and many nationalcouncils of churches also gave profile to peace-building in their programmatic efforts.

The DOV was strongly represented at the WCC’sworld mission conference in Athens in May 2005which featured a plenary discussion on “Missionand Violence”. The peace-making mission of thechurch was also reflected in the theme of the event“Come, Holy Spirit – Heal and Reconcile: Called inChrist to be reconciling and healing communities”.

The 2005 International Day of Prayer for Peace on21 September, launched by the WCC in 2004, waswidely publicized and an information leaflet withaction and prayer ideas was produced in fourlanguages. A DOV electronic newsletter wasinitiated and plans for a new DOV websiteprogressed, with simplified access to informationand greater interactivity. The average number ofhits on the DOV website grew to around 200,000per month, with a growing proportion of visitorscoming from non-Western countries, confirmingthe worldwide potential of the internet and interestin the DOV.

Initial preparations for the DOV annual focus onLatin America in 2006, as well as planning for DOVmid-term activities at the WCC’s 9th Assembly inBrazil, were priorities for the staff throughout theyear.

The popular DOV study guide continued to be inhigh demand and was translated into a number of new languages, facilitating its use in localcommunities as well as by church leadership. TheDOV office plans a revised version after 2006, alongwith other information resources.

The international DOV Reference Group, meeting in2005, recommended several strategic priorities forthe second half of the Decade, including increasedalliance-building, communication, and inter-disciplinary approaches. The group also urged morefocus on the role of youth in overcoming violence,the re-emergence of forms of militarism,interpersonal violence, interreligious cooperation,and the spirituality of non-violence.

“We will strive

together to

overcome the

spirit, logic and

practice of

violence. We will

work together

to be agents of

reconciliation

and peace with

justice in homes,

churches and

societies as

well as in the

political, social

and economic

structures at the

global level”

WCC Central Committee

statement, Geneva, 1999


11

“In a

complex global

environment,

the WCC sought to

nurture a proactive

and united role of

the churches in

political life and

efforts for peace”

Churches in International Affairs

WCC’s efforts in the areas of ecumenicaladvocacy and conflict resolution are carriedout in a rapidly-changing internationalenvironment. The need for a new politicalethos in international affairs, manifested inthe crisis of the United Nations, presents both a challenge and an opportunity for the ecumenical movement. Since 1946, theChurches’ Commission on International Affairs(CCIA) has brought a united and propheticchurch witness to the international politicalarena. Through the CCIA, the WCC facilitatesgreater involvement of churches andecumenical actors in local and nationalconflict prevention, civilian protection andpost-conflict reconciliation.

Throughout the year, attention was given toformulating church and ecumenical contributionsto the UN Reform process. A comprehensive letterexpressing the WCC’s proposals and concerns wassent to the UN Secretary General in April 2005. TheWCC’s UN Office in New York renewed links withthe NGO working group on the Security Council,and developed communication with a network ofchurches and organizations on international affairsand UN advocacy.

In the area of disarmament and demilitarization, theWCC took part in arms control meetings with UNagencies, governments, NGO partners and churches.During this critical period in nuclear affairs, a WCCdelegation presented church policy at the Nuclear

Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference at theUN. The WCC executive committee adopted theWCC's first policy statement on the control of smallarms and staff helped strengthen the EcumenicalNetwork on Small Arms, mobilizing churches toaddress the misuse and spread of millions offirearms worldwide.

The WCC was involved in discreet peace efforts andmediation in several countries in Africa and Asia,and gave particular priority to the Middle East.Plans advanced to launch the Jerusalem EcumenicalCentre (JEC), a joint initiative of the Heads ofChurches in Jerusalem in association with theMiddle East Council of Churches and the WCC.

A special study on “the responsibility to protect –ethical and theological reflections”, dealing with issues related to military intervention forhumanitarian purposes and the responsibility of thestates and sovereignty, culminated in a high-levelseminar in April, bringing together theologians,diplomats and political science scholars.

In a complex global arena, the WCC sought tonurture a proactive and united role of the churchesin political life and efforts for peace and examinedmore closely the links between international affairsand interreligious dialogue and concerns.

Ecumenical Advocacy and Peaceful Resolution of Conflicts


12

Dialogue with Neighbours of Other Religions

Churches in Dialogue withOther FaithsThere is a growing call in political and civilsociety circles for religious leaders to engage in dialogue for the sake of peace, to addressissues of vital concern for society and theworld and to contribute to the building of asustainable society. There is also a recognitionthat religion can play a political role either as a transforming or destabilizing force.

The involvement of the WCC to facilitateencounter between Christians and people ofother faiths in situations of controversy as wellas in contexts of mutual support has existedfor more than 30 years and echoes its ownmandate “to foster dialogue and cooperationwith people of other faiths in order to buildviable human communities”. 2005 proved to be a year in which unprecedented priority wasgiven to interfaith dialogue.

A critical moment

Among the diverse actions undertaken in the area of interreligious relations in 2005 were threeoverarching priority activities: a major “criticalmoment” conference, an interreligious event inGeneva and preparation for interfaith participationin the 9th Assembly in 2006.

The “Critical Moment” conference (7-9 June 2005)brought together over 130 religious leaders,scholars and activists to critically assess currentefforts in the area of interreligious dialogue and to identify new directions and initiatives. Theconference outlined strategies to give moreemphasis to cooperation and common action,discussed the need for symbolic actions whichpromote healing of historical memory and enable

discussions of divisive issues, notably those ofreligious violence and questions of conversion.

Fortresses into wellsprings

Does the quest for religious identity, evident inmany places around the world today, lead inevitablyto opposition to other religious traditions? Andhow, in contexts of religious and cultural plurality,can we move beyond tolerance to positive respectbetween religions?

During the weekend of 12-14 November, a series of events - public panel discussion, youth forum,international colloquium, interfaith celebration,cultural exhibition - offered the Geneva public anopportunity to explore avenues towards bettermutual understanding and acceptance of religiousand cultural diversity. Various prominent Buddhist,Christian, Hindu, Jewish and Muslim personalities inthe field of interreligious dialogue, as well as almost100 young people from all over Europe and theMiddle East, were involved in the events, jointlyorganized by the Geneva Interreligious Platformand the World Council of Churches (WCC).

Entitled “My neighbour’s faith and mine. Religiousidentities: for better or for worse?”, the three-dayweekend was designed to respond to contemporarycriticisms of religions, accused of neglecting thespiritual while at the same time being perceived asbeing at the root of numerous conflicts.

A text “Fortresses into wellsprings - soothing thethirst for spirituality, affirming human dignity”,produced by an interreligious group close to theWCC, interpreting different aspects of religious lifetoday and the quest for a sustainable spirituality,

“Does the quest

for religious

identity, evident

in many places

around the world

today, lead

inevitably to

opposition to

other religious

traditions?”


13

Dialogue with Neighbours of Other Religions

served as a foundational text for the variousinterreligious manifestations. A colloquium ontolerance and a panel on identity discussedquestions on how to construct a viable religiouslyplural society. A two-day youth forum focused onissues such as “Religious identity in the making:How do we become who we are?” “Making sense in a plural world: What strategies do we use?” and“Religious and spiritual authorities: Who are ourmodels?” The interreligious weekend was organizedwith the support of the Geneva private bank Pictet& Cie.

From the periphery to the centre

Preparations for the interreligious presence in the9th Assembly took off in the latter part of 2005.Some thirty guests of other faiths were invited totake part in the Assembly in various capacities andin various programmes. Planning for the Assemblyincluded a major focus on interreligious relationsand dialogue as a core issue for the WCC and as avital challenge in the life of the member churches.

Christians in almost all parts of the world live inreligiously plural societies. Persistent plurality andits impact on daily lives require new and adequateways of understanding and relating to peoples ofother religious traditions. The rise of religiousextremism and militancy in many situations hasaccentuated the importance of interreligiousrelations. Religious identities, loyalties andsentiments have become important components inso many international and inter-ethnic conflictsthat some say that the “politics of ideology”, whichplayed a crucial role in the twentieth century, havebeen replaced in our day by the “politics of identity”.

Although interreligious relations and dialogue havebeen part of the WCC since 1971, it is obvious thatthe present demands require new thinking and newstrategies. Interreligious relations and dialoguecannot be conducted in separation from othermanifestations of Christian involvement, whetherpolitical or theological, and it is likely that WCC willincrease its focus on this area following the 9thAssembly in 2006.


14

Mission & Evangelism: Promoting the Ministry of Reconciliation

Come, Holy Spirit, Heal and Reconcile!In 2005, the main focus of the WCC’s Missionand Evangelism programme was the Conferenceon World Mission and Evangelism (CWME),which took place in Athens, Greece, 9-16 May,under the theme “Come, Holy Spirit, heal andreconcile! - Called in Christ to be reconcilingand healing communities”. The conferenceprovided a space for the WCC member churchesand the wider mission constituency to addresscentral theological questions related to peace,violence and reconciliation from the specificangle of the church’s understanding of andinvolvement in mission and evangelism, pastand present. This was the 13th conference todate since the first gathering in Edinburgh in1910.

Member churches of the WCC sent representativesof the Orthodox, Protestant, Anglican, Baptist,Independent, United, African Instituted andPentecostal traditions. In addition, a significantnumber of Pentecostal and Evangelical churchesnot belonging to the WCC were in attendance and,for the first time at such a conference, a substantialdelegation of representatives from the RomanCatholic Church came not as observers but fullmembers. The event brought together over 650young people, women and men involved in frontiersof Christian witness, church and mission leaders,theologians and missiologists, to exchange theirexperiences and think together about priorities inmission and the future of Christian witness. Formany, the conference was characterized primarilyby its “expanding participation”.

The atmosphere of the conference differed frommany ecumenical assemblies, allowing considerabletime for common prayer, Bible study and smallgroup discussion of matters relating to the themesof reconciliation and healing. Plenaries exploredsub-themes such as the Holy Spirit and mission,faith and healing, overcoming violence, thetheology of reconciliation, confronting HIV andAIDS and promoting a church that is open topeople of every physical and spiritual condition.Marketplaces of ideas and experience, bearing theGreek name “synaxeis”, gave further opportunitiesto examine issues not on the formal agenda.

The conference participants recognized thatdivisions among Christians persist, but that changesaffecting the world in the new millennium form anunprecedented challenge to Christian mission andwitness, and call the churches to repentance andreconciliation. A “message”, or formal letter fromthe conference to the churches, drafted byparticipants during the week, was agreed by theCommission on World Mission and Evangelism.

Evangelism

Throughout the year the mission and evangelismprogramme supported the churches and missionbodies in their evangelistic task to share the goodnews of the gospel ecumenically, stimulating themto explore relevant methods, programmes andtheologies of holistic evangelism.


15

“Participants

recognized that

divisions among

Christians persist,

but that changes

affecting the

world in the new

millennium form

an unprecedented

challenge to Christian

mission and witness”

Mission & Evangelism: Promoting the Ministry of Reconciliation

Urban Rural Mission

During the year, much of WCC’s Urban RuralMission (URM) work, which is a core part of themission programme, focused on supporting theURM regional networks in empowering the poorand marginalized. At the global level, stafffacilitated the development of training resourcesfor community-building and were involved inaspects of the mission conference.

Churches in health and healing

WCC was also actively involved in health work,which has been a traditional focus of this area ofthe Council. WCC facilitated the participation ofgrassroots health workers in the 58th World HealthAssembly in Geneva. Along with its ongoing workto combat HIV and AIDS, the WCC promotedreflection on the greater participation of peopleliving with HIV and AIDS in the life of the church.Persons living with HIV and AIDS were engaged invarious capacities in all regions, and were resourcepersons and plenary speakers for key ecumenicalgatherings during the year. Specific input was givento the development of a work-place policy andguidelines for churches and related organizations.Various training programmes and meetings weresupported in different parts of the world, includinga major interreligious meeting on HIV and AIDS inMoscow.

www.mission2005.org


16

The Ethics of Life and Alternatives to Globalization

Churches Caring for Life

Since its inception, the WCC has spoken out with a prophetic voice against injustice,inequality, asymmetries in power and exclusionof millions from the fruits of development,and has called for transformation. In recentyears, the WCC has strived to upholdalternatives to globalization, in boththeological reflection and practical actions.

The WCC continued to explore a “theology of life”focusing on the oikoumene as God’s household oflife. The neglect of relationships relevant for life andsurvival of humankind not only aggravates, but is at the origin of much of the crisis of life. In thisperspective, the WCC gave priority to study,networking and advocacy in the areas of climatechange, water for life and genetic engineering.

A milestone in ecumenical reflection on economyand ecology was marked with the publication of the AGAPE (Alternatives to Globalization:Addressing People and the Earth) document and the AGAPE Call to Action, which provided a critiqueand proposals for alternatives, in preparation forthe 9th Assembly in 2006.

The WCC was in the forefront of the ecumenicalpresence at the World Social Forum in Porto Alegreearly in the year, and led a series of workshops on ecological debt and alternatives to economicglobalization. Advocacy on trade issues continued,in close collaboration with the WCC-foundedEcumenical Advocacy Alliance.

Working with young adults from the churches, theCouncil sought to offer ecumenical experience and leadership skills, and to strengthen the role ofyoung people in the churches and the ecumenicalmovement through participatory action, educationand community building.

As part of its commitment to transformative justice,healing and renewal of communities, the WCCengaged with concerns of racism and other formsof discrimination, and continued its work onindigenous rights. The WCC worked closely with theLatin American Council of Churches (CLAI) tostrengthen networks of indigenous peoples and toadvocate for their rights at the UN and otherinternational fora. The spirituality of indigenouspeople is an increasing area of attention.

Significant achievements in the work of theEcumenical Disabilities Advocates Network (EDAN)were made. The decentralized office is now situatedat the headquarters of the All Africa Conference ofChurches in Kenya.

In a series of solidarity visits to women in conflictsituations, an ecumenical team visited Pakistan andmet with women, in particular members of thevulnerable Christian minority there.

Much of the work in the area of justice and ethicsof life was decentralized and carried out by staffand offices outside Geneva. While this approach hasgenerally increased local ownership and impact, itwill be further assessed following the 9th Assembly.

“The WCC

continued to

explore a

‘theology of life’

focusing on the

oikoumene as

God’s household

of life”


17

“Diakonia in the

service of human

need has always

been central to

the life of the

churches and,

since its inception,

to the WCC”

Churches Serving Human Need

Diakonia in the service of human need hasalways been central to the life of the churchesand, from its origins, to the WCC. Over theyears, the ecumenical understanding ofdiakonia has grown to encompass more thanservice to human beings, but also increasinglyto address the structural roots of injustice, totransform relationships and to heal andreconcile communities.

The WCC works with churches to empowermarginalized groups, including uprooted people, in their struggle for dignity and for sustainablecommunities, and strengthens ecumenicalcooperation, relationships and solidarity in allregions. The work of the Diakonia and Solidarityteam in 2005 was shaped by both the demands of the world and the upcoming WCC 9th Assemblyin 2006.

Among various critical events that impactedchurches and communities, the Asian tsunami ofDecember 2004, followed by other serious naturaldisasters in Central America, the Caribbean,Pakistan/India and the USA in 2005, all demandedactions of solidarity by the WCC. Linking with ACT(Action by Churches Together) International, theWCC’s office for emergency response, the Diakoniaand Solidarity team was also involved in supportingthe churches in these extreme situations.

In Asia, for example, staff facilitated the training ofmore than 400 volunteers in trauma counselling towork with children in the tsunami-affected areas infour of the worst-hit countries. Prospects for peacein Sudan led to intensive staff work both to supportchurches and councils of churches in the new eraand to continue to advocate internationally forsupport for the implementation of the peace plan.

Recognition of the WCC’s long-term advocacyefforts with the UN High Commission for Refugeeson behalf of uprooted people reached new levelswhen staff met with the High Commissioner inperson to urge closer collaboration, especially in the field.

Several examples illustrate how WCC worked withchurches in all regions during 2005. The Middle Eastoffice, based in Beirut, saw a change in staff, andrelationships with the churches and ecumenicalorganizations were strengthened. The EcumenicalWomen’s Solidarity Fund in former Yugoslaviaunderwent an evaluation and prepared newstrategies after more than a decade of action. TheEastern Europe office (Poland) continued itsprogramme of capacity-building in the region,focusing on Moldova, considered to be the poorest

country in Europe. The WCC Office in the Pacific, based in Fiji, carried out a wide range ofprogrammes in the region with particular emphasison climate change and HIV and AIDS.

In a major new initiative, the WCC played a leadingrole in negotiations to develop a global ecumenicalalliance against poverty and injustice, likely to usethe existing name of ACT – Action by ChurchesTogether, which is currently used by the WCC-related emergency coordination office. The newbody is intended to enhance cooperation in thefield of development and to promote a bettertransition from relief to development, and is likelyto imply a significant realignment of ecumenicalwork in this area.

Diakonia and Solidarity


18

The Challenge of Ecumenical Formation

Education: Carrying theEcumenical VisionThe urgent need for a renewal of ecumenicalvision and practice within the churches andthe broader ecumenical movement isincreasingly recognized. The WCC’s action inthe area of ecumenical education aims todevelop anew an ecumenical consciousness inthe churches. The programme understandsecumenical formation as a process oftheological reflection and critical thinkingwhich moves beyond learning about oneanother within the church to learning fromand with one another.

The year 2005 was dominated by preparations forthe WCC Assembly in 2006. These providedopportunities for particular educational inputs, forexample, involvement in planning the process andmaterial for the Bible studies. A study resourcesupplement to the journal EEF-NET, Getting Ready,was used by churches and ecumenical bodies toreflect on the nature of the WCC and some of theassembly issues.

Ecumenical formation sessions and courses of up toa week were facilitated for the WCC’s Round Tablepartners, for WCC staff and for church institutionsin several countries. Staff continued to give activeencouragement to ecumenical networks ofeducators such as OIKOSNET and the CoordinatingGroup for Religious Education in Europe. Resourcesfor ecumenical formation were produced or revised.The Holistic Education Resource Book: Teaching andLearning in an Ecumenical Context was welcomed

by ecumenical educators as giving access tothinking and practice emerging from seculareducation as well as from within the ecumenicalmovement, and a CD-ROM Practicing EcumenicalLearning was revised.

The Ecumenical Theological Education programmecontinued to emphasize the importance ofcontextualized theological education curricula andthe formation of ecumenical leaders at all the levels of church structures. Theological consultantsworked for the WCC in several regions. For example,in Asia, efforts focused on the promotion of atheological curriculum in response to the HIV andAIDS pandemic, as well as religious pluralism, andcurrent trends in tribal and indigenous peoples’theologies. In Africa, the “Tamar Campaign: StopSexual Violence in Africa” was launched withsignificant follow-up activities taking place in anumber of countries.

The WCC scholarships programme continued toassist the education and training (both theologicaland non-theological) of people working forchurches and church-related organizations. In 2005,100 scholarships were awarded, including ninegroup-training scholarships. The majority ofapplications awarded continue to be for non-theological studies and the relative lack of funds fortheological scholarships remains a challenge for theWCC. The five-yearly external evaluation of thescholarships programme was undertaken in 2005,and the report will be available in 2006.

“The WCC’s

action in the area

of ecumenical

education aims to

develop anew an

ecumenical

consciousness in

the churches”


19

Ecumenical Institute, Bossey

Bossey: An Ecumenical Laboratory

Since October 1946, thousands of women and men from all over the world and everyChristian confession and culture have come to the WCC’s Ecumenical Institute at Bosseyfor seminars, conferences and to attend theGraduate School of Ecumenical Studies. Manyhave testified to life-changing experiences inthis “ecumenical laboratory”, and groups ofBossey alumni have been formed in manycountries. Bossey shapes ecumenical thoughtthrough inter-cultural and inter-confessionalencounter, through study in residentialprogrammes and through common worshipand life in community.

As an ecumenical meeting place, Bossey constitutesa free and safe space of mutual encounter andchallenge between Christians from all over theworld. Positioned in the avant-garde of theecumenical movement, Bossey offers an academicplatform where some of the most acutecontemporary challenges confronting the churchestoday are debated and analyzed in an attempt tofind common responses.

The best-known Bossey programme is the GraduateSchool of Ecumenical Studies which annually trainsaround 30 students from all regions of the worldand from various denominations who willcontribute to ecumenical dialogue and formation in their own contexts. The 56th session of theGraduate School of Ecumenical Studies (2004-

2005) was held under the theme “For Thine Is theKingdom and the Power and the Glory: God’s Powerand Human Accountability”. The 57th session of theschool (2005-2006) focuses on “Grace, Healing,Transformation: Exploring the Theme of the 9thAssembly of the WCC”. Bossey also offers a Masterof Ecumenical Studies and a new Ph.D. inEcumenical Studies for ecumenical researchers. The Institute and its academic programmes areaffiliated with the University of Geneva.

Bossey uses a variety of methodologies such aslectures, Bible studies, seminars, individual studyand research accompanied by tutoring and groupwork. Each member of the teaching faculty offers a module related to the theme of the GraduateSchool, approaching it from the perspective of theirspecial expertise: ecumenical biblical hermeneutics,ecumenical theology, missiology and social ethics.Along with an individual dissertation, students arerequired to sit oral exams to assess their overallacademic achievement.

In May, the Institute mourned the death of theAcademic Dean, Rev. Dr Faitala Talapusi from theCongregational Christian Church in Samoa, after aperiod of illness. The departure of other facultymembers was prepared, and the Bossey leadershipinitiated plans to renew the teaching faculty and toensure academic continuity at the high standardsto which Bossey aims.

“Bossey shapesecumenicalthought throughinter-culturaland inter-confessionalencounter,through study in residentialprogrammes andthrough commonworship and lifein community”


20

Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI)

The Quest for Peace withJustice in the Holy LandThe WCC’s Ecumenical AccompanimentProgramme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI) wasestablished in February 2002, following a callfrom the local heads of churches in Jerusalemfor an international ecumenical presence inPalestine and Israel. This initiative seeks toaccompany Palestinians and Israelis in theirnon-violent actions and concerted advocacyefforts to end the illegal occupation ofPalestine and supports a just peace in theMiddle East through advocacy and throughthe presence and witness of “ecumenicalaccompaniers”.

Based in seven main locations in the occupied WestBank, volunteer ecumenical accompaniers monitorand report violations of human rights andinternational humanitarian law, support acts ofnon-violent resistance alongside local Christian andMuslim Palestinians and Israeli peace activists, offerprotection through non-violent presence, engage inpublic policy advocacy, and stand in solidarity withthe churches and all those struggling against theoccupation. Since its establishment, 256 EcumenicalAccompaniers (EAs) originating from more than 30churches and ecumenical partners in 13 countrieshave participated in the programme.

During 2005, the general political situation in the region saw increasing violence and tensionaffecting the local civilian populations, with aworsening social and humanitarian impact on thecommunities where EAPPI is present. The year saw

the expansion of the Israeli separation barrieraround East Jerusalem and south towards andaround Bethlehem, leading to the establishment ofnew checkpoints in the form of terminal buildings.The complete isolation of greater Jerusalem fromthe West Bank is nearing completion, and is ofparticular concern to the WCC.

The advocacy focus of the programme wasconsolidated during this period with the arrival of a new international programme coordinator in January, and a communication and advocacy officer was employed from July onwards. Staff andnational coordinators took part in an advocacyworkshop in February, and significant media impactwas observed in several countries. A new quarterlymagazine, “ChainReaction”, and a monthlyelectronic newsletter were introduced.

In September, a “theological reflection” onecumenical accompaniment was held in Geneva.The workshop increased understanding of theprogramme within the Council, and allowed ananalysis of how the EAPPI can act as a model forother programmes within the WCC constituency. A first evaluation of the programme took place inJune, involving a range of partners, ecumenicalaccompaniers, beneficiaries and local churches. The aim of the evaluation was to assess the WCC’sinvolvement in EAPPI, the implementation of plans,and to outline the future work of EAPPI. The reportwill be available in 2006.


21

Ecumenical HIV/AIDS Initiative in Africa

Churches in the Struggleagainst HIV and AIDSToday it is estimated that 26 million peopleare living with HIV and AIDS in sub-SaharanAfrica. The WCC has been highlighting theHIV and AIDS issue since the onset of theepidemic which is acknowledged to be themost critical health challenge currently facingthe world.

In 2002, the WCC launched its Ecumenical HIV/AIDS Initiative in Africa (EHAIA) with thechurches and a number of ecumenical partners.EHAIA has as its goal the prevention of the spreadof the virus and a full life in the community forthose infected or affected by HIV. The WCC throughEHAIA strives to “break the silence” and to getchurch leadership committed to confronting HIVand AIDS beyond the traditional roles of teachingand caring; promotes education focusing on changeof behaviour and attitude among laity, clergy andyouth; and supports other advocacy andnetworking initiatives throughout the continent.

In the course of 2005, the EHAIA programme,through five regional offices throughout Africa,implemented 131 activities, including thematicworkshops, training courses, publication projects,and regular activities such as advising churchleaders or providing assistance to activists to raiseresources. The activities covered a diverse range of initiatives.

EHAIA’s theological consultants developed acurriculum for theological education by extension,integrating HIV into teaching and education

courses. This specific way of teaching futurepastors, evangelists and lay preachers gainsimportance in Africa, where Christianity isspreading and the churches’ capacity for extensivetraining of leaders is dwindling.

In another example of work, in Chad, EHAIA workedwith predominantly evangelical churches on aconsultation that explored biblical understandingsof HIV and AIDS, and brought the local churches toa greater understanding of HIV and AIDS not as aform of punishment, but as an issue to which thechurches have a moral obligation to respond.

Stigma and discrimination are still the biggestchallenge in the churches’ efforts against thespread of HIV and AIDS. Fighting stigma remainsrightfully the first objective of EHAIA. Notsurprisingly, progress to change behaviour resultingfrom deeply rooted cultural values and habits isslow so far compared to the spread of the virus.Nevertheless EHAIA has been instrumental inencouraging church leaders at all levels to changeattitude and engage in action, and staff andresources are increasingly used by the churches.Cooperation with the African Network of ReligiousLeaders Infected and Affected by HIV and AIDS(ANERELA+), which was formalized in 2005, wasparticularly fruitful. But EHAIA and church leadersalike recognize that much more will be needed ifchurches are truly to contribute to overcoming thedeadly shadow of AIDS in Africa.

“EHAIA strives to

‘break the silence’

and to get church

leadership

committed to

confronting HIV

and AIDS”


22

Recent WCC Publicationsand ResourcesWCC PublicationsP O Box 2100CH-1211 Geneva 2Switzerland

Tel: +41 22 791 6111Fax: +41 22 798 1346E-mail: [email protected]

On-line order form:www.wcc-coe.org/wcc/news/pubs/index-e.html

During 2005 WCC Publications issued a range ofdocumentation, manuals and books of commonprayer for major events, including the worldmission conference and the WCC’s 9th Assembly. Inaddition to the production of these resources, andthe journals International Review of Mission andThe Ecumenical Review, a series of other books wasissued during the year and can be ordered throughour website or directly from WCC Publications.

A Handbook of Churches and Councils, compiledby Huibert van Beek, is not simply a handbook ofthe member churches of the World Council ofChurches. It combines, in one volume, all theconciliar and confessional bodies and theirmembership, and demonstrates concretely thereach of the ecumenical movement. It also remindsus that the ownership of the movement rests notonly with the WCC but with all the partners. Thisexpanded 2006 reference work is the successor totwo earlier volumes, Directory of Christian Councilsand A Handbook of WCC Member Churches.

February 2006.

638pp. ISBN 2-8254-1480-8. Price CHF 55.00

From Harare to Porto Alegre tells the story, inwords and photographs, of the World Council ofChurches’ witness and work from its EighthAssembly in 1998 to the eve of the Ninth Assemblyin 2006.

November 2005, richly illustrated

230pp. ISBN 2-8254-1456-5. Price CHF 24.00

Available also in French, German and Spanish

Keeping the Faith is a photo essay on the diversityand strength of world Christianity. It depicts peopleof faith in many different nations taking actionwithin and beyond their communities, living outthe reality of today’s church in today’s world.

Fully illustrated in colour, 28 x 28 cms

64pp. ISBN 2-8254-1477-8. Price CHF 30.00

Faith and Order at the Crossroads: Kuala Lumpur2004 is the record of the Faith and Order plenarycommission meeting held in Malaysia in 2004. Ittouches on such issues as the nature of the church,baptism, interreligious dialogue and identity.

Faith and Order Paper no. 196

484pp. ISBN 2-8254-1423-9. Price CHF 40.00

Listen to the Women! Listen to the Earth!, byAruna Gnanadason, appeals for a holistic approachto the Christian stewardship of creation. The authorseeks common ground between the social justicecommitment in liberation theologies and theenvironmental consciousness of eco-feministtheologies.

Risk Book Series no. 111

130pp. ISBN 2-8254-1472-7. Price CHF 16.00

Orthodox Witness Today, by Bishop HilarionAlfeyev of the Russian Orthodox Church, is acollection of essays providing a critique ofsecularization in contemporary societies. The authorcalls for "a true dialogue" among Christians seekingto discern religion’s proper public role.

244pp. ISBN 2-8254-1448-4. Price CHF 28.00

Receive One Another: Hospitality in EcumenicalPerspective, edited by Diane Kessler, reports theconclusions of the Massachusetts Council ofChurches following a project encouraging"ecumenical hospitality". Practical advice suggestshow members of local churches may come to shareone another’s spiritual lives more fully.

Risk Book Series no. 110

106pp. ISBN 2-8254-1411-5. Price CHF 17.00

Nurturing Peace: Theological Reflections onOvercoming Violence, edited by DeenabandhuManchala, draws on three years of consultations onthe theological dimensions of violence and peace.The authors examine profound problemsconfronting the peace-maker, yet they also discoversigns of hope.

Risk Book Series 112

96pp. ISBN 2-8254-1478-6. Price CHF 16.00

Religions Today: Their Challenge to theEcumenical Movement, edited by Julio de SantaAna, is the report of a six-year study processundertaken by the Ecumenical Institute in Bossey,Switzerland. The authors suggest possibilities for afully ecumenical Christian approach tointerreligious dialogue.

316pp. ISBN 2-8254-1459-X. Price CHF 30.00


23

Listening With Love: Pastoral Counselling. AChristian Response to People Living with HIV/AIDS,by Fr Robert Igo, OSB. Listening with Love isdesigned for all those Christians who are called tohelp people cope with HIV and AIDS. Step by step,it introduces us to the basic medical facts andguides us through practical, loving approaches thatenable us to empathize and communicate withthose whose lives have been transformed by thedisease. This Bible-based manual shows us how bestto help people living with HIV and AIDS toovercome their fears.

136pp. ISBN 2-8254-1454-9. Price CHF 16.00

Worlds of Memory and Wisdom: Encounters ofJews and African Christians, edited by JeanHalpérin and Hans Ucko. This book on African-Jewish encounters discloses a fascinating chapter ina genuinely intercultural dialogue conducted at thehighest intellectual level. The aim of the editors wasto focus on subjects pointing to a commonality ofconcerns and purpose. The three consultations, inNairobi, Johannesburg and Yaoundé, deal withfundamental issues, such as Ancient Wisdom inboth cultures and its value for contemporary life;Family Community and Tradition as a way to thefuture; and The Challenge of Peace Building. Thesetexts, in the original English or translated fromFrench, will remain of lasting value as a source ofinspiration and sound reflection.

161pp. ISBN 2-8254-1429-8. Price CHF 25.00

Also available in French: Sagesse et MémoiresCroisées.

The Nature and Mission of the Church: A Stageon the Way to a Common Statement. Faith andOrder Paper 198. What is the church and what is itfor? Such questions remain central to the work ofFaith and Order, as perhaps the most inclusive anddiverse church-based theological forum in theworld. Building on earlier ecumenical work,especially The Nature and Purpose of the Church(1998), this document identifies honestly the issues which still divide the churches and offers aframework for their common confession, life andwitness.

70pp. ISBN 2-8254-1463-7. Price CHF 11.00

You are the Light of the World: Statements onMission by the World Council of Churches 1980-2005. A compendium of statements on Christianmission produced within the World Council ofChurches (WCC) from 1980 through early 2005:including Mission and Evangelism: An EcumenicalAffirmation (1982), Mission and Evangelism inUnity Today (2000) and The Healing Ministry of theChurch (2005). Prepared for the WCC’s conferenceon world mission and evangelism of May 2005 inAthens, Greece, this volume provides a rich resourcefor study, dialogue and commentary on approachesto Christian mission - and on the theme of theAthens conference: Come Holy Spirit, heal andreconcile.

162pp. ISBN 2-8254-1435-2. Price CHF 18.50


WCC Member Churches 2005

WCC member churchstatistics by region and

church family

The information presented here is

based on membership figures as

declared by WCC member

churches for the WCC Ninth

Assembly (2006) as registered

before March 2005. The church

count includes the 348 member

churches and incorporates the

“international” membership of the

churches which may be in more

than one country or region.

The choice of church family

corresponds to the self-identity

of the individual churches.

Contact information for all WCC

member churches is published

each year in the WCC Directory.

Full descriptions of each member

church, as well as information on

other ecumenical bodies, are

available in the Handbook ofChurches and Councils. Both

resources can be ordered from

WCC Publications.

Africa 93 churches 132,000,000 members

Asia 74 churches 62,500,000 members

Caribbean 13 churches 2,600,00 members

Europe 81 churches 287,000,000 members

Latin America 27 churches 4,400,00members

Middle East 12 churches 9,700,000 members

North America 31 churches 72,000,000 members

Pacific 17 churches 2,000,000 members

Region Total member Number of WCC Total church Total churchchurches member churches % membership membership %

Africa 93 27% 132 000 000 23%Asia 74 21% 62 500 000 11%Caribbean 13 4% 2 600 000 < 1%Europe 81 23% 287 000 000 50%Latin America 27 8% 4 400 000 < 1%Middle East 12 3% 9 700 000 2%North America 31 9% 72 000 000 13%Pacific 17 5% 2 000 000 < 1%Total 348 100% 572 200 000 100%

Family Total member Number of WCC Total church Total churchchurches member churches % membership membership %

African Instituted 9 3% 21 340 000 4%Anglican 32 9% 67 703 000 12%Assyrian 1 < 1% 350 000 < 1%Baptist 25 7% 26 600 000 5%Disciples 6 2% 1 400 000 < 1%Free 17 2% 1 305 000 < 1%Hussite 1 < 1% 130 000 < 1%Independent 3 < 1% 3 600 000 < 1%Lutheran 54 16% 58 700 000 10%Mar Thoma 1 < 1% 1 100 000 < 1%Methodist 38 11% 36 810 000 6%Non-denominational 2 < 1% 16 100 000 3%Old Catholic 5 1% 4 700 000 < 1%Orthodox Eastern 15 4% 208 700 000 36%Orthodox Oriental 7 2% 67 350 000 12%

Pentecostal 7 2% 482 000 < 1%Reformed 97 28% 30 430 000 5%United and Uniting 28 8% 25 400 000 4%Total 348 100% 572 200 000 100%

Table 1: Member churches by region

Table 2: Member churches by church family

24


25

Presidents (elected in February 2006)

Archbishop Dr Anastasios of Tirana and All Albania Orthodox Autocephalous Church of AlbaniaMr John Taroanui Doom Maòhi Protestant Church, French Polynesia

Rev. Dr Simon Dossou Protestant Methodist Church in BeninRev. Dr Soritua Nababan Protestant Christian Batak Church (HKBP), Indonesia

Rev. Dr Ofelia Ortega Presbyterian-Reformed Church in CubaPatriarch Abune Paulos Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church

Rev. Dr Bernice Powell Jackson United Church of Christ (USA)Dr Mary Tanner Church of England (United Kingdom)

Executive Committee (elected in February 2006)

Africa:Bishop Ivan Manuel Abrahams Methodist Church of Southern Africa (South Africa)

Dr Agnes Abuom Anglican Church of KenyaPastor Antonio Pedro Malungo Evangelical Reformed Church of Angola

Ms Iyabo Oyekola Church of the Lord Aladura Worldwide (Nigeria)

Asia:Bishop Samuel R. Azariah Church of Pakistan

Rev. Dr Margaretha M. Hendriks-Ririmasse Protestant Church in the Moluccas (Indonesia)Ms Hae-Sun Jung Korean Methodist Church

Caribbean:Ms Nerissa Celestine Church in the Province of the West Indies (Grenada)

Europe:Ms Inger Aasa-Marklund Church of Sweden

Metropolitan Prof. Dr Gennadios of Sassima Ecumenical Patriarchate of ConstantinopleBishop Dr Hilarion of Vienna and Austria Russian Orthodox Church

Bishop Dr Rolf Koppe Evangelical Church in GermanyMr Graham G. McGeoch Church of Scotland

Archbishop Nifon of Targoviste Romanian Orthodox ChurchBishop Dr Vasilios of Trimithus Church of Cyprus

Ms Outi Vasko Orthodox Church of Finland

Latin America:Rev. Dr Walter Altmann Evangelical Church of the Lutheran Confession in Brazil

Middle East:Metropolitan Bishoy of Damiette Coptic Orthodox Church (Egypt)

North America:Ms Carmen Rae Lansdowne United Church of Canada

Rev. Dr Larry Pickens United Methodist Church (USA)Rev. Dr Tyrone Pitts Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc. (USA)

Bishop Vicken Aykazian Armenian Apostolic Church (Holy See of Etchmiadzin) (USA)

Pacific:Rev. Sanele Faasua Lavatai Methodist Church of Samoa

Staff Leadership Group(membership until March 2006)

Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia (Kenya: Methodist Church in Kenya), General SecretaryMr Georges Lemopoulos (Turkey: Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople), Deputy

General SecretaryMs Geneviève Jacques (France: Reformed Church of France), Director of Programme

Dr William Temu (Tanzania: Roman Catholic Church), Director of ManagementRev. Sabine Udodesku (Germany: Evangelical Church in Germany), Executive Secretary

WCC Governing Bodiesand Staff Leadership 2006


26

WCC Financial Overview 2005

WCC expenditure bycore programme 2005

WCC sources ofincome 2005

Strengthening the one ecumenical movement 9%

Ecumenical Institute, Bossey 10%

Interreligious dialogue 2%

DOV 1%

Unity of the church 4%

International affairs 7%

Mission and evangelism 13%

Diakonia and solidarity

25%

Communication 12%

Justice, peaceand creation

8%Ecumenical formation 9%

Programmecontributions71%

Unrestricted contributions 1%

Investment andcurrency gains

2%

Rental income, salesand other income

13%

Membership income 13%

Financial results 2005(Swiss Francs 000’s)

Unrestricted and Restricted Total Total designated funds funds funds funds

2005 2005 2005 2004

Income Membership and other unrestricted income 6,740 - 6,740 7,325Programme Contributions – 34,516 34,516 32,433Investment and currency gains/(losses) 244 1,322 1,566 (5)Rental income, sales and other income 3,907 2,522 6,429 5,955 Unrestricted income distribution (5,469) 5,469 - - Total Income 5,422 43,829 49,251 45,708

Expenditure Direct programme costs - 11,300 11,300 12,394 Operating and other programme costs 3,533 13,989 17,522 13,966 Salaries 4,309 14,614 18,923 18,383 Redistribution of costs (3,954) 3,954 - - Total costs 3,888 43,857 47,745 44,743

Transfers to/(from) funds and current liabilities 90 361 451 (343) Net increase/(decrease) for the year 1,624 333 1,957 622

Note: The results for 2005 are unaudited,as prepared on 30 May 2006. Prior yearcomparatives are audited consolidated

results. Audited consolidated results for2005 will be presented in the WCC

Financial Report 2005.


27

Main contributors American Baptist Churches in the USAAnglican Church of CanadaBrot für Alle (Switzerland)Christian Aid (UK)Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the USAChristian Council of SwedenChurch of EnglandChurch of GreeceChurch of NorwayChurch of ScotlandChurch of SwedenChurch of the Brethren (USA)Church of the Province of Southern Africa

(South Africa)Church World Service (USA)CIDA-Canadian International Development AgencyComitato Cattolico per la Collaborazione Culturale

(Vatican)Conseil Suisse des Missions Évangéliques

(Switzerland)Council for World Mission (UK)DanChurchAid (Denmark)Diakonisches Werk der EKD (Germany)EED-Church Development Service (Germany)EKD-Evangelical Church in GermanyEpiscopal Church in the USAEvangelical Lutheran Church in AmericaEvangelical Lutheran Church in DenmarkEvangelical Lutheran Church of FinlandEvangelical Reformed Church of Aargau

(Switzerland)Evangelical Reformed Church of St Gallen

(Switzerland)Evangelisches Missionswerk in Deutschland

(Germany)Federation of Swiss Protestant ChurchesFédération Suisse des Femmes Protestantes

(Switzerland)FinnChurchAid (Finland)Foundation for Theological Education in Southeast

Asia (USA)HEKS-EPER (Switzerland)Hong Kong Christian CouncilICCO-Interchurch Organization for Development

Cooperation (Netherlands)

Kerkinactie/Global Ministries, Protestant Church in the Netherlands

Korean Methodist ChurchMennonite Central Committee - Northwest Europe

Office (Germany)Methodist Church, UKMission Covenant Church of SwedenNathan Söderblom Memorial Fund (Sweden)National Council of Churches in Australia -

Christian World ServiceNorwegian Church AidPeace Watch SwitzerlandPictet & Cie (Switzerland)Presbyterian Church (USA)Presbyterian Church in CanadaPresbyterian Church of KoreaProtestant Church in the NetherlandsReformed Church in AmericaReformed Church of FranceReformed Churches of Bern-Jura-Solothurn

(Switzerland)Religious Society of Friends (UK)Remonstrant Brotherhood (Netherlands)Stichting Rotterdam (Netherlands)United Church of CanadaUnited Church of Christ (USA)United Methodist Church (USA)United Nations University (Tokyo) (Japan)United Reformed Church (UK)Uniting Church in AustraliaWorld Association for Christian Communication (UK)

Other contributionsOther member churches (below 20,000 CHF)Other specialized ministries (below 20,000 CHF)Other organizationsIndividualsLocal congregationsLocal denominational bodiesLocal ecumenical bodiesOther local contributions

WCC Income and Donors 2005

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

Programmes 29,007 29,610 28,894 27,209 27,134 27,276 27,161

Multilateral sharing 14,978 11,664 9,935 8,209 6,276 5,345 4,665

Membership 6,269 6,690 6,306 6,537 6,401 6,510 6,426

Assembly - - - - 435 627 3,004

Other income 8,557 1,599 1,955 2,221 6,965 5,950 7,995

Total 58,811 49,563 47,090 44,176 47,211 45,708 49,251

WCC income trends 1999 – 2005

(Swiss Francs 000’s)

WCC financial contributors2005

Note: The list includes all memberchurches, partner organizations and other

bodies that have contributed more than20,000 Swiss Francs to the WCC in 2005.


28

World Council of Churcheshttp://www.wcc-coe.orgThe main website of the World Council of Churchesis a unique resource for those interested in the roleand vision, structures, programmes, relationshipsand resources of the broadest and most inclusiveamong the many organized expressions of themodern ecumenical movement.

Decade to Overcome Violencehttp://www.overcomingviolence.orghttp://www.vaincrelaviolence.orghttp://www.gewaltueberwinden.orghttp://www.superarlaviolencia.orgThe interactive website of the Decade to OvercomeViolence is designed to stimulate involvement,facilitate exchange and provide information, ideas,contacts, stories and other resources. Visitors cansign up for e-mail news, download materials on thetheology of peace and practical ways of overcomingviolence, submit information and stories.

WCC 9th Assemblyhttp://www.wcc-assembly.infoThe website of the WCC’s Ninth Assembly in PortoAlegre, Brazil, in 2006 contains backgroundinformation, documents and resources related tothis unique event gathering thousands of Christiansfrom around the world for fellowship, prayer,celebration and reflection.

Conference on World Mission and Evangelismhttp://www.mission2005.orgThe world mission conference took place in Greecein May 2005. The website contains a full record ofthis global event, including background documents,reflections on mission, healing and reconciliation, as well as video recordings and photos from thegathering.

Ecumenical AccompanimentProgramme in Palestine and Israelhttp://www.eappi.orgMaintained in Jerusalem by staff of the WCC’sEcumenical Accompaniment Programme inPalestine and Israel, the EAPPI site provides up-to-date news, photos and eye-witness accounts of the volunteer workers accompanying Palestiniansand Israelis in non-violent actions and concertedadvocacy efforts for peace and justice.

PhotoOikoumene – Photos forprofessionalshttp://www.photooikoumene.org

PhotoOikoumene features professional-qualityphotos related to church and society thatdocument the life of the ecumenical movement.These are available for purchase by editors,journalists, agencies, publishers, audio-visualproducers and other multipliers.

Websites of WCC-relatedorganizations:Ecumenical News Internationalwww.eni.ch

Action by Churches TogetherInternationalwww.act-intl.org

Ecumenical Advocacy Alliancewww.e-alliance.org

Ecumenical Church Loan Fundwww.eclof.org

Although the information given here is in English,many of the above websites are multilingual. Thecontent of the websites of WCC-relatedorganizations is editorially independent of WCC.

Keeping the Faithhttp://www.keeping-the-faith.info“Keeping the Faith” is an integrated exhibition, weband book project of the WCC launched in 2005. This attractive website contains multimedia storiesof church life from around the world, all exploringthe reality of the living church in diverse culturalcontexts.

WCC on the World Wide Web

WCC e-news

http://www.wcc-coe.org/e-news

Stay informed about WCCprogrammes and activities, receivepress releases and regular informationon WCC work by e-mail with this newservice from WCC. Users can alsoselect from a choice of online WCCnewsletters.


CP01 Strengthening the One Ecumenical Movement01 Giving leadership to the work of

the WCC02 Fostering membership relations03 Widening the fellowship04 Promoting the coherence of the

ecumenical movement

CP03 Ecumenical Institute, Bossey01 Ecumenical formation05 Visiting professors06 Bossey publications

CP04 Dialogue with Neighbours of Other Religions01 Deepening relations with partners in

dialogue02 Enhancing dialogue on issues of

common concern03 Christian identity and religious

plurality

CP06 Decade to Overcome Violence

CP07 Unity of the Church01 Ecclesiology02 Baptism (worship)03 Ecumenical hermeneutics04 Theological anthropology05 Ethnic identity, national identity and

the search for unity06 Theological reflection on peace07 Other Faith and Order activities

CP08 Ecumenical Advocacy and Peaceful Resolution of Conflicts01 Peaceful responses to conflicts and

war (including Ecumenical Focus on Africa)

02 Ecumenical advocacy03 Public issues and publications04 Jerusalem Ecumenical Centre

CP09 Mission and Evangelism: Promoting theMinistry of Reconciliation01 Conference on World Mission and

Evangelism02 Mission study: study process on

reconciliation and healing in mission03 Evangelism04 Mission in solidarity with the poor

(Urban Rural Mission)05 Health and healing

CP10 The Challenge of Ecumenical Formation01 Ecumenical formation02 Ecumenical theological education03 Scholarships

CP11 The Ethics of Life and Alternatives to Globalization01 Economic globalization: affirming

alternatives02 Being church: strengthening voices

of youth03 Caring for life: theology of life04 Being church: strengthening voices

of racially oppressed and indigenous peoples

05 Being church: strengthening voices of women

06 Ecumenical Disability Advocates Network (EDAN)

07 Publications

CP12 Diakonia and Solidarity01 Creating spaces for analysis and

reflection02 Decentralized capacities03 Sustaining relationships for solidarity

and witness04 Ecumenical advocacy on uprooted

people05 Strategic Initiatives Fund06 Multilateral solidarity07 Building capacities08 Developing a coherent and holistic

approach to meet human needs

CP14 Communicating the Fellowship 01 Media relations02 World Wide Web03 Visual arts04 Programme liaison

CP15 Telling the Ecumenical Story01 Publishing books and producing

other communication vehicles02 Sales, marketing and distribution03 Managing the library and archives

of the WCC04 Language services

E1 Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel01 Ecumenical accompaniers02 Awareness building and advocacy

E2 Ecumenical HIV/AIDS Initiative in Africa

WCC Programmesand Activities 2005

This page comprises

a complete list

of WCC core

programmes and

activities as

structured in 2005.

Core programmes

CP02 and CP13 were

discontinued before

2004 and are not

listed here

29


World Council of ChurchesP.O. Box 2100CH-1211 Geneva 2SwitzerlandTel: +41 22 791 6111Fax: +41 22 791 0361E-mail: [email protected]: www.wcc-coe.org


2006 wcc ar artwork...christ, through witness and service to the world, and to advance towards that...

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