wfn.org | Title: Palestine-Israel: 15 new volunteers for EAPPI

["WCC Media" <Media@wcc-coe.org>]

World Council of Churches 7 Press Update
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 13/02/2004 - pu-04-10

EAPPI continues its work with 15 new accompaniers

The Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel welcomed 15
new ecumenical accompaniers (EAs) as it continues working with Palestinians
and Israelis on peaceful solutions to the conflict. The new arrivals join
six workers staying on from previous groups, bringing the total number of
EAs currently on the ground to 21.

EAPPI works with Palestinians and Israelis who are seeking an end to the
occupation through non-violent means and a just solution to the long
conflict. Ecumenical Accompaniers work with local churches, Palestinian and
Israeli NGOs, as well as Palestinian communities in various capacities to
try to reduce the brutality of the occupation and improve the daily lives
of both peoples.

The new team of accompaniers comes from six countries, including an EA from
Germany, which is participating in the programme once again. Denmark,
Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and the United States continue to be
represented.  The 10 women and five men range in age from 25 to 66 years.
The minimum service will be three months. Additionally, the first
accompanier from New Zealand is in the group of hold-overs.

The current group will work in various sites. Three accompaniers will
continue the work in Sawahreh, a village split between East Jerusalem and
the West Bank and threatened by the continued construction of Israel's
"separation fence" or wall.  Two will be working with the Christian
community and refugee camps in Ramallah. One has been assigned to the
"Israel Team", which partners with Israeli peace and justice organizations.
Two accompaniers will be working in Hebron, accompanying children going to
school and monitoring the human rights situation. Two will be living in the
West Bank village of Yanoun. Two have been assigned to work on media
projects with Palestinian partner organizations.

Since the programme was launched in August 2002, 95 ecumenical accompaniers
have participated from more than 30 churches and ecumenical partners in
nine countries: Canada, Denmark, Germany, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden,
Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States.

For more information on the WCC: www.wcc-coe.org 
For more information on EAPPI: www.eappi.org 

For more information contact:
	 Media Relations Office
 tel: (+41 22) 791 64 21 / (+41 22) 791 61 53
 e-mail:media@wcc-coe.org 
 http://www.wcc-coe.org 

 The World Council of Churches is a fellowship of churches, now 342, in
 more than 120 countries in all continents from virtually all Christian
 traditions. The Roman Catholic Church is not a member church but works
 cooperatively with the WCC. The highest governing body is the assembly,
 which meets approximately every seven years. The WCC was formally
 inaugurated in 1948 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Its staff is headed by
 general secretary Samuel Kobia from the Methodist church in Kenya.