February 10, 2012

A consultation on world peace and human security was convened by the World Council of Churches (WCC) in Geneva on Thursday 9 February. The event precedes a two-day committee meeting charged with following up the report and recommendations of the International Ecumenical Peace Convocation, which brought 1,000 participants to Kingston, Jamaica in May 2011.

The committee will suggest how the topic of just peace may be addressed during and after the 10th Assembly of the WCC, to be held in 2013 at Busan, Korea.

In his opening remarks, WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit described the three days of discussion as, "not only an important step in preparing for the assembly, but an essential part of preparing the WCC's contribution in international affairs over the coming years."

It must be admitted by people of faith, he continued, that "religion is not just a solution to war and violence. Too often, it can be part of the problem."

The consultation, moderated by Rev. Dr Fernando Enns of the Mennonite Church in Germany, reviewed the ecumenical movement's historical involvement in issues of peace and justice. Members of the discussion sought to learn from past experience as they weighed churches' potential for making a positive impact amid the changing cultural landscape of the early 21st century.

The day's principal speakers included former WCC general secretary Rev.

Dr Konrad Raiser, former international affairs director Rev. Dwain Epps and Kees Nieuwerth, a peace activist and ecologist from the Netherlands.

Read also:

Just peace, prayer and a common witness keep church relevant (Link: http://www.oikoumene.org/index.php?RDCT=cd820910df8fe74422f1) (WCC press release of 22 December 2011)

International Ecumenical Peace Convocation website (Link: http://www.oikoumene.org/index.php?RDCT=bb854355c95d358d1f09)

WCC Commission of the Churches on International Affairs (Link: http://www.oikoumene.org/index.php?RDCT=bf743f269ea98016327b)

World Council of Churches