wfn.org | WCC UPDATE: Assembly to affirm alternative globalization

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World Council of Churches - Update
Contact: + 41 22 791 6153 +41 79 507 6363 media@wcc-coe.org
For immediate release - 11/01/2006

WCC'S 9TH ASSEMBLY TO AFFIRM ALTERNATIVE GLOBALIZATION

"A world without poverty is not only possible but is in keeping with the
grace of God for the world" affirms a call that will play a central role
at the 9th Assembly of the World Council of Churches (WCC) in Porto
Alegre, 14-23 February.

Called "AGAPE - A Call to love and action", the six-page document
summarizes the results of the work done by the WCC and ecumenical partners
on economic globalization since the 8th Assembly in Harare in 1998. It
also calls churches "to act together for transformation of economic
injustice".

The call, in the form of a prayer, will invite Assembly participants to
recommit themselves to work "for the eradication of poverty and inequality", "for justice in international trade relations", "for responsible
lending, unconditional debt cancellation and the control and regulation of
global financial markets".

Preservation of natural resources and bio-diversity, resistance against
privatization of public goods and services, promotion of land reforms,
advocacy for decent jobs and just wages, and a firm faith stance against
hegemonic powers are among the recommitments to which the call will invite
churches and the wider ecumenical movement.

> Alternative globalization addressing peoples and earth

The proposals in the AGAPE call were shared with the churches prior to the
Assembly. They build on work developed as a response to the WCC's 8th
Assembly, which stated that "the logic of globalization needs to be
challenged by an alternative way of life of community in diversity".

Programmatic work in this area since Harare has taken the form of wide
consultations with churches, social movements and ecumenical bodies,
notably the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, the Lutheran World
Federation and the Conference of European Churches. The process came to be
called "AGAPE: Alternative globalization addressing peoples and earth".

Its findings, proposals and recommendations to the churches are outlined
in a 60-page background document with the same title, that was designed as
a study guide for use in seminars and discussion groups.

The document seeks to address the human tragedies caused by economic
globalization. It reflects the expectation that churches and the ecumenical family will move beyond a critique of neoliberal globalization and go on
to develop a vision of a just, compassionate and inclusive world.

Throughout the document, the emphasis is on transformation, in accordance
with the Assembly theme, "God, in your grace, transform the world". Even
its title - AGAPE - is derived from the Greek word for love, used in the
Bible as an expression for God's abundant grace and the love of God and
the neighbour.

> Beyond the champagne glass economy

We live in what the background report styles a "champagne glass economy,"
where the richest 20% of the population owns 83% of the world's wealth,
the next 20% owns 11%, and the remaining 60% owns only 6% of the world's
wealth.

The intolerable levels of poverty which result from this economic model
are condemned by the report, particularly on theological and spiritual
grounds which challenge the churches to act.

"It is hoped that this document will inspire the churches and the
ecumenical family to address the complex questions around economic
injustice, which is the main challenge of our times," says Rogate Mshana,
WCC programme executive responsible for economic justice.

The full text of the statement "AGAPE Call - for love and action" is
available online at:
http://www.wcc-assembly.info/en/theme-issues/porto-alegre-2006/official-working-documents/programme-book/assembly-documents/agape.html

The full text of the background document "AGAPE: alternative globalization
addressing peoples and earth" is available online as a PDF file at:
http://wcc-coe.org/wcc/what/jpc/agape-new.pdf

This material may be reprinted freely.

Additional information: Juan Michel,+41 22 791 6153 +41 79 507 6363
media@wcc-coe.org

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The World Council of Churches is a fellowship of churches, now 347, 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.