A global service to mark climate advocacy leading up to COP26

Join a short service of prayer, reflection, and action on climate justice with friends from around the world.

In November, world leaders should have been gathering in Glasgow, United Kingdom, for COP26. The UN climate conference was postponed until November 2021. To mark the original conference dates and reflect on the role of faith actors in pushing for more ambitious climate action in the coming year, we will gather from all over the world for a short service of prayer and solidarity.

Speakers from every continent will lead prayers and share experiences of the struggle for climate justice. Join us at the start of this year of prayer and action.

#LWFforClimateJustice

Zoom Registration

Youtube Live-streaming

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Hope for the future

Youth from around the globe are making inspiring strides toward advancing interreligious solidarity and cooperation amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Young leaders and youth-led organizations have taken an active role in ensuring communities receive accurate information about the virus while simultaneously striving to dispel harmful narratives, especially on virtual platforms. 

Thanks to their technological adeptness and growing interconnectedness, young people are uniquely placed to bring innovative approaches to understanding marginalization and violence in the society. Their participation in advancing interfaith solidarity is imperative.  

This interactive webinar will focus on the role of youth as agents of change. It will also encourage those engaged as peacemakers to evaluate how to increase youth capacity and participation.   

Speakers: 

• Mr Fernando Sihotang, The Lutheran World Federation National Committee, Indonesia. 
• Ms Kosar Mahmoodi, Muslim Youth Forum, Finland, 
• Ms Merylene Chitharai, Religions for Peace Youth Media Team, South Africa.

Moderators:  

• Ms Jessica Roland, Senior Specialist on Inclusive Peace, The Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers 
• Rev. Dr Sivin Kit, Program Executive for Public Theology and Interreligious Relations, The Lutheran World Federation.  

Organizers: 

• The Lutheran World Federation
• The Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers 
• World Council of Churches

Zoom Registration Link

Youtube Live-streaming

Webinar on Women and Interfaith Engagement: Sharing lessons learnt during COVID-19 and beyond

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a profound and lasting impact on the health and wellbeing of the global community. Without warning, in the space of a few weeks, it dramatically altered the pattern of our daily lives, and powerfully exposed the vulnerability that all human beings share. 

This heightened awareness of our common vulnerability calls for new forms of solidarity that reach across national, cultural and religious boundaries. Over the past year, we have seen encouraging signs of people’s solidarity with their neighbors, especially the most needy, through volunteer groups, support networks and charitable activities. Yet the significant contribution and perspectives of women in interfaith engagement and interreligious collaboration to combat the consequences of the Coronavirus pandemic have rarely received sufficient attention. 

During World Interfaith Harmony Week, this webinar will bring Christian, Buddhist and Jewish voices to focus on the role of women as key actors in interfaith engagement, highlighting the urgency of sharing resources beyond the confines of our own religious communities.  

Opening Remarks:

• Rev. Dr Peniel Rajkumar, Program Coordinator - Interreligious Dialogue and Cooperation, World Council of Churches 

Speakers: 

• Rev. Dr Elina Hellqvist, Interim Director of Office for Global Mission , Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland
• Dr Gaya Gamhewage, Head of Learning & Capacity Development for WHO’s Health Emergencies Program, World Health Organization, Switzerland
• Dr Debbie Weissman, Former president of the International Council of Christians and Jews, Retired Jewish educator, Israel

Moderator:

• Rev. Dr Sivin Kit, Program Executive for Public Theology and Interreligious Relations, The Lutheran World Federation

Organizers: 

• The Lutheran World Federation
• Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland
• World Council of Churches

Register for the Zoom webinar

Event languages: English

Pastors encouraged to apply for new course on self-understanding “To be Lutheran is to be ecumenical”

LWF’s rich ecumenical history of more than 60 years includes milestones such as the Lutheran-Catholic Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification (JDDJ), which by its 20th anniversary in 2019 had developed into a five-partner agreement including the Methodists, Anglicans and the Reformed. Several other study documents resulting from various bilateral and multilateral agreements, and from dialogues with the Mennonites, the Orthodox and Pentecostals offer a wide range of resources.

Dialogue outcome reception or transmission, especially to the younger generation of Lutheran pastors and theologians is important so that ecumenical achievements can continue to influence relations between churches. As ecumenism is not often taught at many universities or seminaries where Lutherans are educated, the Strasbourg Institute seminar provides space to hand over this knowledge.

Building on experience from the inaugural seminar in 2019, participants will also report on the relations between churches in their respective countries, and discuss how the contemporary experiences of LWF’s member churches can be used to develop steps for a rapprochement between churches. It is the first time the event will take place online due to the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

Institute for Ecumenical Research in Strasbourg - Application Information

Registration requirements: Candidates require church endorsement

Language: English

Deadline: 31 July 2021

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Potential for bridge building between Christian ecumenical work and other intrareligious dialogues

Modern societies are pluralistic in many senses, including religious. The three great monotheistic religions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam in particular often occur within the same countries and live together. In addition, there are differences between groups within the respective religions. Classical ecumenism in the Christian domain is concerned with denominational divisions and seeks to overcome them. But Judaism, Islam and Buddhism also have internal divisions that are often fought out in bitter quarrels, as in Christianity.

The seminar will examine how conflicts can be overcome in the coexistence of different currents within a religion and between different religions. Can bridges be built between Christian ecumenical work and other intrareligious dialogues, such as within Islam?

It is the first time the annual event will take place online due to the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

Institute for Ecumenical Research in Strasbourg - Application Information

Registration requirements: Candidates require church endorsement

Language: English

Deadline: 31 May 2021

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Strengthening advocacy in LWF member churches through mutual exchange

The main objective of our first online meeting is to introduce the members of the Action for Justice Forums to one another, provide an overview of the overall work of the forums, address further questions, and receive feedback from the members to begin discussing the direction for the work ahead.

The AFJ Forum on Climate Justice will take up concerns about climate change and the care for creation.

The AFJ Forum on Interfaith and Peacebuilding focuses on supporting member churches seeking constructive ways to live and work together with people of other faiths.

There will be translations for Spanish during the meeting.

Languages: English and Spanish

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International launch of new short films on interfaith understanding produced by partners in Indonesia

There is growing concern over extremist voices and actions showing that hostility against the ‘religious others’ have worsened in different parts of the world. But there are also many positive examples of people of faith who demonstrate a different way of life by embracing inclusivity and dialogue.  

The goal of these interfaith short films from Indonesia is to showcase positive stories and realistic struggles from the grass roots, aiming to serve as lived examples and promote healthy interfaith relations.  

• Can such short documentary films contribute to inter-faith understanding and co-existence?   
• How can such films be used in education for inclusive citizenship?  

These are the main questions addressed at the film launch. The event includes the first online screening of four new short films produced by local organizations in Indonesia, brief interviews with directors and youth representatives and a panel discussion.

Speakers:

• Risdo Simangunsong, Interfaith Activist, (Jakatarub) Indonesia
• Fernando Sihotang, Human Rights and Advocacy Coordinator, National Committee of the Lutheran World Federation, Indonesia
• Dr. Ingvill Thorson Plesner, Researcher and Project Manager, Norwegian Center for Holocaust and Minority Studies (HL-senteret), Inclusive Citizenship Project
• Samrawit Gougsa, Communications Officer at Minority Rights Group International, United Kingdom
• Putu Eka Guna Yasa, Director of BASAbali Wiki, Indonesia

Moderator:

• Rev. Dr. Sivin Kit, Program Executive for Public Theology and Interreligious Relations, The Lutheran World Federation, Switzerland

Organizers:

• The Lutheran World Federation
• Norwegian Center for Holocaust and Minority Studies (HL-senteret) /Inclusive Citizenship Project 
• Minority Rights Group International

Living Together Interfaith Short Film Launch

Online Registration 

Languages: English with Bahasa Indonesia simultaneous interpretation

* The international film launch is organized as a part of a project on freedom of religion or belief and inter-faith understanding. The project is funded by NORAD (Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation). 

NIFEA Webinar on “Zacchaeus Tax: A Reparatory Tax System for a Just and Sustainable Recovery”

The global tax system offers a powerful tool to respond to the socio-economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic and to repair systemic challenges, such as widening inequality and climate change. Ahead of a crucial G20 International Taxation Symposium, the webinar will discuss how proposals from social movements for tax justice and reparations – as called for in the ecumenical Zacchaeus Tax campaign – can help us achieve a just and sustainable recovery from the pandemic. 

Provisional program:

• Opening and introduction: Rev Dr Gordon Cowans (moderator) 
• "How and why is tax justice critical for a just and sustainable recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic?":  Dr Manuel (Butch) Montes 
• "What are the models and practices for a reparatory global tax system and what could it deliver?":  Dr Priya Lukka 
• "What does recovery and reparation look like?":  Ms Adetola Onamade and Ms Marina Tricks (TBC) 
• "Introduction to ZacTax toolkit and how can we, as churches, advocate for the ZacTax proposals?":  Rev Philip Peacock and Dr Justin Thacker 
• Q&A moderated by Dr Gordon Cowans 
• Closing remarks: Mr Gorden Simango 

Moderator:

• Rev Dr Gordon Cowans is moderator of the United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, principal at Knox Community College, and a member of the Ecumenical Panel on a NIFEA. 

Speakers:

• Dr Manuel (Butch) Montes is senior advisor at Society for International Development and a member of the Ecumenical Panel on a NIFEA. Previously he worked with the South Centre, the United Nations Department for Economic and Social Affairs and the East-West Centre. 
• Dr Priya Lukka is an international development economist and visiting research fellow at the Goldsmiths University in London. Previously she worked with ChristianAid in the UK. 
• Ms Adetola Onamade and Ms Marina Tricks are students involved in anti-racism, decolonial and climate justice movements. Together with another young person, they are suing the UK Government for failing to honour climate obligations under the Paris Agreement. 
• Rev Philip Peacock is executive secretary for justice and mission at the WCRC and formerly Associate Professor in the Department of Theology, Ethics and Social Analysis at Bishop’s College in India. 
• Dr Justin Thacker is a theologian and medical doctor and currently coordinates the UK-based Church Action for Tax Justice. 

Organizers:

• World Council of Churches
• World Communion of Reformed Churches
• Lutheran World Federation
• World Methodist Council
• Council for World Mission

Registration

Languages: English

The LWF opens the Ecumenical Season of Creation with an online global prayer

This year’s Season of Creation theme is "A Home for All? Renewing the oikos of God". Oikos is a Greek word for the Earth community. It is an invitation to be united in our human vocation to reshape just and sustainable political, social and economic systems that respect the life-giving ecological limits of the Earth. This year’s ecumenical prayer centers the voices of Indigenous Christians, and is led by leaders and representatives from the global ecumenical family.

The ecumenical Season of Creation lasts from 1 September (Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation) until 4 October (Feast day of St. Francis). This is an invitation to engage in a month of prayer, symbolic acts and campaigns to give thanks for creation and renew our human vocation to care for it.

Season of Creation 2021 Celebration Guide

At the beginning of COP26, LWF as part of the Interfaith Liaison Committee to the UNFCCC invites persons interested in climate justice and interfaith dialogue to an informal interfaith gathering in the spirit of Talanoa dialogue. 

This gathering serves as a platform for faith communities attending COP26 to share their initiatives, concerns, and hopes in their work for climate justice under a Talanoa dialogue framework. 

Talanoa dialogues are indigenous peoples from Fiji’s way of solving problems in their communities, and the Fijian Presidency of COP23 introduced the concept to work on the most challenging issues. The methodology of the Talanoa dialogue leads participants to address the following questions: 

• Where are we? 
• Where do we want to go? 
• How do we get there? 

This event will introduce an opening panel that will expose the different topics available for conversation, followed by small-group Talanoa dialogues where participants will be able to exchange perspectives and thoughts. This will be followed by an interfaith spiritual service and a light shared meal for those attending in person. 

The plenary and interfaith service will be live-streamed on Youtube. 

To also participate in small-group discussions, please register on Zoom registration.

Register to attend in person

Register to attend online

Livestreaming

• COP26 Multifaith Talanoa Dialogue
• COP26 Multifaith Talanoa Dialogue Interfaith Worship