wfn.org | ACNS - World Council of Churches announces plans for

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

ACNS 3220     |     WCC     |	  6 DECEMBER 2002

World Council of Churches announces plans for reorganisation and staff cuts

[WCC/ENS] The World Council of Churches has announced plans to reorganise
and reduce staff at its Geneva and New York offices.

"The council, through this reorganisation, has manifested its will and its
ability to respond constructively to a critical situation," said General
Secretary Konrad Raiser. "The adjustment of the internal organisation and
leadership structure will result in a clearer profile of the WCC's programs
and strengthen its co-operation with ecumenical partners."

The budget for 2003 has been reduced by 7.4 million Swiss francs (almost
US$6 million) and staff will be reduced by 16 full-time equivalent positions
to a level of 141, achieved through retirements, relocation of some
activities in co-operation with regional partners, and termination of some
contracts. The reductions will be accompanied by an income-generating
strategy that will focus on assuring the on-going support of current donors
while seeking new donors.

The reorganisation will sharpen the council's focus on five themes: faith
and order; mission and ecumenical formation; justice, peace and creation;
international affairs, peace and security; and diakonia and solidarity.

"We hope that these changes in the organisation will lead to a period of
stability in which the staff, members churches and other supporters of the
WCC are able to devote themselves to meeting the global ecumenical
challenges before us," said vice-moderator Marion Best after a mid-November
meeting of officers and Central Committee members that adopted the changes.

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