wfn.org | WACC calls on communicators and people of faith to be spokespeople

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@wfn.org>]

for reconciliation.

"Communication: from Confrontation to Reconciliation" was the theme of the 
3rd Congress of the World Association for Christian Communicators (WACC), 
which took place from the 3rd to the 7th
of July in the Leeuwenhorst Conference Centre near Amsterdam in the 
Netherlands.

The final declaration of the congress was read out to more than 300 
delgates from 80 countries on Saturday afternoon and said that 
"Establishing the truth, strengthening justice and restoring human dignity 
do not of themselves lead to reconciliation. The will to reconcile is an 
unconditional act of faith and love. It calls for careful dialogue and 
mutual understanding".

The text also sets out the need to foster responsible communication that 
"promotes understanding within and between faiths and cultures, supports 
local traditions  of peacemaking, explores creative use of technology and 
seeks dialogue between science and faith".

WACC's third congress, that was officially opened by the Dutch minister for 
Development and Cooperation, Eveline Herfkens, was addressed by many noted 
speakers with stories about reconciliation in a diversity of contexts that 
have suffered the impact of wars, dictatorships, unjust regimes, the 
abscence of democracy, discrimination and other forms of violence, such as 
Argentina, South Africa, Palestine, Guatemala and Rwanda.

The event was also the appropriate occasion to welcome the newly elected 
General Secretary of the organisation, Rev. Randy Naylor, minister of the 
United Church of Canada, who takes over from Rev. Carlos Valle, Argentinian 
Methodist pastor, who has been at the helm of WACC for fifteen years.

During the congress the participants debated such issues as the 
participation of women in media, the democratisation of communications, 
community radios and music as a communication language. The work of the 
different regions was also presented through videos, images, conferences 
and publications that show the will and commitment of Christian 
communicators to be voices of reconciliation in a world full of injustices.