wfn.org | NCC crafting new `Pillars of Peace' document

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.UMC.ORG>]

Dec. 9, 1998	Contact: Linda Bloom·(212) 870-3803·New York     {726}

By United Methodist News Service

During World War II, churches worked ecumenically to develop "Six
Pillars of Peace," a document that was influential in bringing about the
founding of the United Nations.

Now, the National Council of Churches (NCC) is creating a new document
to address the challenges of the post-Cold War and envision the future
role of the United Nations.

Local congregations will provide input, according to Mia Adjali, the
United Methodist who serves as chairwoman of the NCC's International
Justice and Human Rights Program Ministry Committee.

Her committee developed the new document, "Pillars of Peace for the 21st
Century," after consultations were held in New York, Chicago and San
Francisco. The meetings took place in partnership with The Stanley
Foundation.

A first reading and "teach-in" of the document occurred during the NCC's
General Assembly in November. Churches will be engaged in nearly a year
of study and reflection before the second reading at the 1999 General
Assembly. A study guide and video will be available in late January or
early February.

"Their context was the war," Adjali said about the "Six Pillars of
Peace" writers.  "Our context is the struggle for peace with
justice...which is something we've learned about in no uncertain terms
in the last 50 years."

The original document centered on the structure of what was to become
the United Nations and focused not only on its ability to curb war but
also to address the economic, social and cultural concerns of the world.
That vision, Adjali explained, "was very unlike what existed in the
League of Nations."

While the new document still addresses these international aspects, it
also "demands of the United Nations higher standards to bring about
peace with justice," she said.

The new version of Pillars for Peace also adds a seventh pillar: concern
for the environment. It renews church support for the United Nations,
calls upon the U.S. government to fully support the United Nations, and
affirms the following principles:

* Increasing political collaboration and accountability among
governments, local authorities, peoples, organizations and global
economic systems to seek the common good and equality for all;
* Holding governments, financial institutions, multilateral
organizations, transnational corporations and all other economic actors
morally, ethnically and legally accountable to work for the welfare and
well-being of all;
* Building a comprehensive international legal system, capable of change
as conditions require;
* Standing in solidarity with the vulnerable and marginalized and
establishing the necessary mechanisms to redress the causes and
consequences of injustice;
* Making a commitment to build a culture of peace, including limiting
military systems and opposing the unrestrained production, use and sale
of weapons;
* Protecting human rights, as detailed in the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights, and respecting the dignity of all persons;
* Committing to lifestyles and systemic changes that produce long-term
sustainability of life and create an ecologically just world. 

Information about the study guide and video is available through the
NCC's Peace with Justice Week office by emailing pwjw@ncccusa.org or by
calling (212) 870-2424. 
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