Ecumenical Bodies Join Forces in Fight Against Poverty

Ecumenical agencies and churches will be joining hands under a large international umbrella group provisionally called ''ACT Global'' to increase the effectiveness of independent Christian groups in addressing poverty and injustice

By Pauline J. Chang, Christian Post Reporter Monday, February 07, 2005

Ecumenical agencies and churches will be joining hands under a large international umbrella group provisionally called “ACT Global” to increase the effectiveness of independent Christian groups in addressing poverty and injustice issues.

The new ecumenical coalition, which will be established under the auspices of the World Council of Churches (WCC), was blueprinted during a consultation at the Ecumenical Institute in Bossey, Switzerland, February 4-5, 2005.

"This meeting is a turning point in ushering in a new era of collaboration between churches, ecumenical agencies and the WCC," said Rev. Dr. Samuel Kobia, the WCC general secretary, as he closed the meeting.

The new ecumenical initiative, which will eventually cover humanitarian relief, development cooperation and advocacy work, will be established no later than 2005 and will bring together the international ecumenical work for justice under the Action by Churches Together (ACT) banner.

Dr Daleep Mukarji, director of Christian Aid (UK), said the hope for this project is to establish "a common instrument bringing together relief, advocacy and development which can act quickly and flexibly."

"This meeting affirms the role of WCC in helping all partners find a more effective and common way of working," said Dr Baffour Amoa from the church fellowship FECCIWA in West Africa.

For more information and a general blueprint on the new ACT Global initiative, visit:

http://wcc-coe.org/wcc/statements/20050205consultation_diakonia.html