The future of the World Council of Churches lies in playing to its strength of giving those less fortunate in the world a voice, a former Dutch church leader has told a gathering in Amsterdam to commemorate the WCC's 60th anniversary.

Doopsgezind WereldWerk, the Dutch Mennonite Organization for Solidarity and Peace has been sending shipments of medical supplies and hospital equipment on to hospitals in Shirati and Mugumu in Tanzania, pioneering health care institutions.

Despite declining membership, five Dutch denominations have generated their best-ever result in their annual fundraising drive, which organisers say generates more money than any other campaign in the Netherlands - writes Andreas Havinga for Ecumenical News International (ENI).

The Protestant development aid programme Kerkinactie has left the national platform of Dutch peace and development organizations advocating a resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict - writes Andreas Havinga for Ecumenical News International.
The decision of Kerkinactie to end its membership of United Civilians for Peace (UCP) was announced on 22 December and took effect earier this week.