wfn.org | WCC AGENDA: September 2004

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

World Council of Churches - Agenda
Contact: + 41 22 791 6153 +41 79 507 6363 media@wcc-coe.org 
For immediate release - 25/08/2004

 SEPTEMBER 2004

	+ Ecumenical leaders discuss future of ecumenism
	+ WCC hosts Indigenous leaders to UN caucus
	+ Churches to celebrate International Day of Prayer for Peace
	+ WCC general secretary to visit churches in Canada

Ecumenical leaders discuss future of ecumenism
2-4 September, Nairobi, Kenya

The WCC general secretary Samuel Kobia will join the heads of regional
ecumenical organizations to share information on current issues in the
various regions and organizations, and issues related to the
reconfiguration of the ecumenical movement.  Relationships with the Roman
Catholic Church will also be discussed.  Leaders from about ten ecumenical
organizations will be present.

Media contact: Mitch Odero, +254-20-444-1483 / 1338 / 9
infodesk@aacc-ceta.org 

WCC hosts Indigenous leaders to UN caucus
11-12 September, Geneva, Switzerland

The WCC will host over 100 Indigenous leaders participating in a caucus at
the 10th session of the working group on a draft United Nations Declaration
on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.  Meeting at the WCC headquarters
before the session, caucus participants from all parts of the world will
review the progress of the draft declaration, and work towards a common
strategy during the session, which takes place in Geneva 13-24 September.

More on WCC Indigenous peoples' work at
http://wcc-coe.org/wcc/what/jpc/indig.html 

Churches to celebrate International Day of Prayer for Peace
21 September, worldwide

In 2004 for the first time, the WCC Decade to Overcome Violence (DOV) is
joining the United Nations International Day of Peace by inviting
congregations worldwide to pray for peace on or around thatday.  This
initiative, which was welcomed by the UN secretary-general Kofi Annan, is
one way to combine the strength and witness of churches and faith
communities with the international community as a whole as they strive
together to promote peace and justice in the world.

More information on the WCC-DOV International Day of Prayer for Peace is
available at:
http://www.overcomingviolence.org 

WCC general secretary to visit churches in Canada
30 September - 4 October, Winnipeg / Toronto / Ottawa, Canada

The WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia will preach at an ecumenical
worship service and meet with Canadian Council of Churches general
secretary Karen Hamilton during a visit to member churches and ecumenical
organizations in Canada.  During the visit, Kobia will take part in a
public lecture and panel discussion on "The impact of emerging inter-faith
relationships on classical ecumenism" as part of the 40th anniversary
celebrations of the Canadian Center for Ecumenism, and conduct a seminar
with theological students of African descent from the Toronto School of
Theology.

Unless noted otherwise, events are by invitation only and not open to the
	 press or general public. The information above may change without
	 notice.
 Additional information: Juan Michel,+41 22 791 6153  +41 79 507 6363
 media@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.

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