wfn.org | WCC NEWS: International church anti-racism conference sees time for change

["WCC Media" <Media@wcc-coe.org>]

World Council of Churches - News Release

Contact: +41 22 791 6153 +41 79 507 6363 media@wcc-coe.org

>For immediate release - 18/06/2009 15:50:40

INTERNATIONAL CHURCH ANTI-RACISM CONFERENCE SEES TIME FOR CHANGE

"We believe that this is a moment where we are invited by God to commit  ourselves to be instruments of change in the church and the wider  society," participants in an international conference on "Churches against  Racism" have said, 17 June. The message was read in the presence of Queen  Beatrix of the Netherlands during a closing worship service.

"We believe God is calling members of the church to action with and on  behalf of the marginalized, the poor and the many who face exclusion," the  message continues.

"The global economic crisis, climate change and systemic exclusion -  generating desperation and increased migration", are described as the  elements of a "three-fold crisis" creating a need and an opportunity for  change.

The participants looked at the problems faced by migrants and minority  groups such as the Roma in Europe, at discrimination based on the colour  of one's skin, at the disregard for land rights of indigenous peoples and  at Dalits being treated as "untouchables" in India.

Some fifty church leaders, activists and theologians attended the  international conference which was organized by the WCC in cooperation  with the Council of Churches in the Netherlands ( http://www.raadvankerken. nl/ ), the association of migrant churches in the Netherlands SKIN (  http://www.skinkerken.nl/ ), the missionary and diaconal agency KerkinActie  ( http://www.kerkinactie.org/ ), the interchurch organization for  development cooperation ICCO ( http://www.icco.nl/delivery/icco/en/ )and  the ecumenical advocacy group Oikos ( http://www.stichtingoikos.nl/?nid=7 0000 ).

>Full text of the message:
>http://www.oikoumene.org/?id=6869

Sermon preached at the closing worship service:
http://www.oikoumene.org/?id=6874

>WCC work on just and inclusive communities:
>http://www.oikoumene.org/?id=3105

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

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness  and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of  churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 349 Protestant,  Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 560 million  Christians in over 110 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman  Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia, from  the Methodist Church in Kenya. Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.