new global offices of the (WACC) in Toronto, Canada were inaugurated
Wednesday 04 October 2006
Toronto, Canada, 2 October 2006 -- The new global offices of the World Association for Christian Communication (WACC) in Toronto, Canada were inaugurated Monday, 2 October at a service of celebration in the sanctuary of Hope United Church. The former Christian education wing of the church has been renovated to house WACC's eight member programme staff.
WACC's Board of Directors was joined by 200 invited guests to witness the commissioning of the space as the new home of the worldwide communication advocacy, research, and training organization.
Work on the 80 year old building involved significant restoration and redesign by the architectural firm Black and Moffat and was completed only hours prior to the opening ceremony.
General Secretary, Randy Naylor, told the crowd that it had been quite a journey from the organization's former offices in London, UK. "In less than six months, staff packed 454 boxes and moved its library and communication infrastructure to these new offices."
Rev. Douglas duCharme, minister of Hope United Church added that the congregation, presbytery, and WACC staff had "moved mountains" to make the renovation project happen in a very short time line. But it was worth the effort he said. "The presence of WACC in this building is revitalizing our congregation. We look forward to working with you over the coming years."
The WACC offices are located at the intersection of an ethnically-diverse neighbourhood of Toronto, designated by UNESCO as the world's most multi-cultural city. In cutting the multi-coloured ribbon at the entrance to the new offices, acting Board President and Dutch broadcaster, Piet Halma, told the crowd that the many colours in the ribbon represented both the cultural diversity of the neighbourhood and of WACC's worldwide family. For Halma, the move to Canada signals the start of a new era for WACC programming where the organization will become more active in seeking partners for programme initiatives such as Communication for Peace.
WACC Board member Teresa Nera-Lauron from the Philippines admitted to mixed feelings about the move. "I am both happy and nostalgic", she says. "Happy because the offices look wonderful and this is a great neighbourhood. But nostalgic too because in coming to this new home for WACC, we left behind memories in London."
As she looks towards the future, Nera-Lauron says she hopes the move and changes in how WACC plans and implements programmes will result in an even more vibrant network of communicators who will make a difference. "I hope that in five to 10 years we can look back and say we made the right decision. I am happy to be part of this history in the making."
The Board will meet in the new WACC offices from 3 October through 5 October. The agenda includes plans for implementing new programme initiatives and discussion of the next WACC Congress to be held in Capetown in October 2008 under the theme "Communication is Peace."
<mailto:TM@waccglobal.org>Tim Meadley Manager of Administration