Churches plan a new global alliance for development
-05/12/05
Churches and related orga
Churches plan a new global alliance for development
-05/12/05
Churches and related organizations across the world have agreed to move ahead with the establishment of a new global alliance for development. Its proponents say this marks a new stage in ecumenical efforts to overcome world-wide poverty and injustice.
The changing world context and impact of globalization require that churches combine their efforts for witness and service and for peace and justice, according to World Council of Churchesí general secretary, the Rev Dr Samuel Kobia, speaking at a consultation of over 50 churches and organizations from all regions, which ended in Geneva last week.
ìDiakonia (service) is central to the mission and being of the churches,î emphasized Dr Kobia.
He continued: ìGuided by the prophetic tradition, we are compelled to see justice as the essence of the love of God in our critique of the destructive impact of injustice and misuse of power. The new alliance offers us an opportunity to create something new, something which lives out the principles we all uphold, something which strengthens us all.î
ìA collective analysis and response by the ecumenical family to the problems we face in Africa and elsewhere is absolutely necessary,î confirmed Bishop Mvume Dandala, general secretary of the Nairobi-based All Africa Conference of Churches.
But he warned that any new initiative must be primarily focused on local empowerment and the building of “self-confidence” of people and churches.
ìThere is a definite need and common interest for ecumenical partners to move from isolated initiatives to a coordinated approach, especially in the face of critical problems like HIV/AIDS,î agreed the Rev Cornelia Fullkrug-Weitzel, director of Bread for the World, one of Germanyís main church aid agencies.
Studies confirm that the WCC and its related agencies form potentially one of the largest international networks for development.
Those present at the consultation anticipate that increased coordination and more strategic collaboration between participants in the alliance could increase their effectiveness in addressing issues of poverty and injustice.
It is also hoped that the alliance will enhance the visibility of ecumenical organizations in the area of development.
The alliance is expected to have a close relationship with ACT International (Action of Churches Together), the WCC-related coordination body for emergency relief, and with the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance.
A final name for the alliance will be decided by May 2006, at which stage churches and organizations will be invited to apply to become participants. Any WCC member church, department of a church, or related ministry or agency which is mandated to undertake development cooperation may apply to be part of the new alliance.
[Also on Ekklesia: WCC chief backs food for all campaign; Catholic leader says yes to unity, justice and peace; Orthodox seek unity in face of dissent; Ecumenists seek to recover evangelistic emphasis; Decade to overcome violence gathers momentum; Churches prepare to transform the world; Churches urged to renew action for peace and healing]
Churches plan a new global alliance for development
-05/12/05
Churches and related organizations across the world have agreed to move ahead with the establishment of a new global alliance for development. Its proponents say this marks a new stage in ecumenical efforts to overcome world-wide poverty and injustice.
The changing world context and impact of globalization require that churches combine their efforts for witness and service and for peace and justice, according to World Council of Churches’ general secretary, the Rev Dr Samuel Kobia, speaking at a consultation of over 50 churches and organizations from all regions, which ended in Geneva last week.
‘Diakonia (service) is central to the mission and being of the churches,’ emphasized Dr Kobia.
He continued: ‘Guided by the prophetic tradition, we are compelled to see justice as the essence of the love of God in our critique of the destructive impact of injustice and misuse of power. The new alliance offers us an opportunity to create something new, something which lives out the principles we all uphold, something which strengthens us all.’
‘A collective analysis and response by the ecumenical family to the problems we face in Africa and elsewhere is absolutely necessary,’ confirmed Bishop Mvume Dandala, general secretary of the Nairobi-based All Africa Conference of Churches.
But he warned that any new initiative must be primarily focused on local empowerment and the building of “self-confidence” of people and churches.
‘There is a definite need and common interest for ecumenical partners to move from isolated initiatives to a coordinated approach, especially in the face of critical problems like HIV/AIDS,’ agreed the Rev Cornelia Fullkrug-Weitzel, director of Bread for the World, one of Germany’s main church aid agencies.
Studies confirm that the WCC and its related agencies form potentially one of the largest international networks for development.
Those present at the consultation anticipate that increased coordination and more strategic collaboration between participants in the alliance could increase their effectiveness in addressing issues of poverty and injustice.
It is also hoped that the alliance will enhance the visibility of ecumenical organizations in the area of development.
The alliance is expected to have a close relationship with ACT International (Action of Churches Together), the WCC-related coordination body for emergency relief, and with the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance.
A final name for the alliance will be decided by May 2006, at which stage churches and organizations will be invited to apply to become participants. Any WCC member church, department of a church, or related ministry or agency which is mandated to undertake development cooperation may apply to be part of the new alliance.
[Also on Ekklesia: WCC chief backs food for all campaign; Catholic leader says yes to unity, justice and peace; Orthodox seek unity in face of dissent; Ecumenists seek to recover evangelistic emphasis; Decade to overcome violence gathers momentum; Churches prepare to transform the world; Churches urged to renew action for peace and healing]