LWF Consultation: Diakonia in the Context of Global Challenges of Violence, Poverty and HIV/AIDS

October 28, 2002

GENEVA – "Prophetic Diakonia – For the Healing of the World" is the title of a Lutheran World Federation (LWF) global consultation on diakonia that will take place from 3-7 November 2002 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The conference will examine the different understandings of diakonia church social service – in its national and international contexts. It will explore diakonia in the various ways in which it is expressed, both within the mission and identity of the church, and within the context of modern society. The meeting will also focus on new possibilities for the understanding and practice of diakonia in view of the continuous challenge of responding to the critical issues that threaten human life and the future of the human family as a whole. Another aim of the consultation is to contribute to greater understanding of the scope of international work carried out in the area of humanitarian response, reconstruction, and development as special types of diaconal service within the church.

Ahead of the consultation, Mr. Robert Granke, Director of the LWF Department for World Service (DWS), noted that as a communion of Lutheran churches worldwide, the LWF views diakonia within an ever-widening context. He noted that, rather than diakonia being limited to DWS work, the Lutheran communion is diaconally active, even in its daily service, at both personal and community level. Granke indicated that the churches and LWF as a whole play an important role in the process of healing, reconciliation and peacemaking. He said, "We should not underestimate the significance of our work or the potential to have a positive influence in finding the solution to difficult and long-term problems within the global community."

The consultation, which will bring together over 80 participants from Lutheran churches, partner organizations and social service agencies and institutions worldwide, is being organized by the LWF/DWS in conjunction with the LWF Departments for Mission and Development as well as Theology and Studies.

Granke expects the outcome of this consultation to be the affirmation of diakonia as a component of the identity and mission of the church, and an articulation of a renewed understanding of prophetic diakonia, which will, in turn, engender more effective possibilities for diaconal responses to the critical challenges faced by the church and society.

The consultation will include different expressions of diakonia as practiced in national and international settings throughout the world. Examples include development and humanitarian response, common diaconal institutions such as hospitals and orphanages, the work of deacons/deaconesses in churches, organizations and agencies, social service agencies and programs, and advocacy initiatives.

Field visits before the consultation will give the participants the opportunity to visit LWF projects and diaconal institutions in Angola, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and South Africa, and to confront critical human issues in contemporary society. The focus will be on three critical areas, namely violence, poverty and HIV/AIDS, which require a prophetic response currently and in the future.

The consultation opens on Sunday, 3 November, at 16.00 hrs. The keynote speech will be delivered by Ms Angela Thoko Didiza, South African Minister for Agriculture and Land Affairs, on Monday, 4 November, at 08:30 hrs. An opening press conference will be held on Monday, 4 November, at 10.00hrs. A final press conference is planned for Thursday, 7 November at 17.00 hrs.

Lutheran World Information (LWI) is the information service of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF). Unless specifically noted, material presented does not represent positions or opinions of the LWF or of its various units. The LWF is a global communion of Christian churches in the Lutheran tradition. Founded in 1947 in Lund (Sweden), the LWF now has 136 member churches in 76 countries representing over 61.7 million of the 65.4 mllion Lutherans worldwide. The LWF acts on behalf of its member churches in areas of common interest such as ecumenical relations, theology, humanitarian assistance, human rights, communication, and the various aspects of mission and development work. Its secretariat is located in Geneva, Switzerland.