UPDATE

Event postponed, a new date for this event will be announced as soon as possible.

Learning from the worldwide response to COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic spread rapidly across the world in 2020, leaving in its wake a death toll, economic crises and increased threat to people and communities who were already vulnerable and marginalized.  

The pandemic has highlighted certain lessons that are vital for the global community, about solidarity, human rights, and our interconnectedness. For the LWF this has been captured in the sentence: „Until all are safe, no one is safe.“ 

At this event LWF will launch a new report that captures the response of churches and faith-based organizations to COVID-19. The report will be briefly introduced. This will be followed by a panel discussion on lessons learnt from the global response to COVID-19.

Panelists include:

• Stella Ogunlade, UNHCR 
• Sarah Hess, WHO 
• Ragnheiður Kolsöe, Embassy of Iceland 
• Chey Mattner, LWF 

Moderators:

• Sivin Kit, LWF
• Kate Wiggans, Islamic Relief Worldwide 

Register for in-person attendance at [email protected].

Register for attending on line

Register on Zoom

2 webinars sounding the alarm on Femicide and Sexual and Gender-based Violence in a global context

This two-part series focuses on femicide, which is the priority issue for this year’s 16 days of Activism campaign. The webinars will sound the alarm on the impact of femicide, kidnapping and trafficking on both survivors and their families.  

LWF and partners hosting the webinars will issue a call to action for churches, faith-based organizations and other community-based groups to work to effect change and offer accompaniment to those affected by femicide and sexual and gender-based violence across the globe.

The webinars will also offer a liturgical space for grieving, trauma transformation and accompaniment by honouring memories and the sharing of stories. Participants will be inspired to strengthen advocacy and action using local, national, regional and intergovernmental resources to effect transformation. 

The first webinar on 25 November will offer perspectives from Africa, Asia, Europe, Middle East, and Pacific Regions. The second one on 2 December will focus on Latin America and the Caribbean and North America.

Register

Languages: English, Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic and French

16 Days 2021 campaign - Online Media Kit

Launch of ECOTHEE Volume 6

Join this webinar to launch the book, Contemporary ecotheology, climate justice and environmental stewardship in world religions. This book curates papers from the 6th edition of Ecological Theology and Environmental Ethics (ECOTHEE) conference, that was held under the Auspices of His All Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I and with the support of the World Council of Churches (WCC) program on Care for Creation, sustainability and climate justice (Ecological and Economic Justice) at the Orthodox Academy of Crete.

As part of its commitment to promote ecotheology and the care for creation, the Lutheran World Federation is proud to partner in this publication with:

• World Council of Churches (WCC)
• Orthodox Academy of Crete (OAC)
• University of Applied Science in Western Norway
• European Christian Environmental Network (ECEN)
• Church of Norway
• VID Specialized University
• Roya Institute for Global Justice
• World Wildlife Fund (WFF)

Register

Language: English

International Screening of short films from Asia, Middle East, and Northern Africa

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.

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

Keynote speaker:

• Fernand de Varennes, UN Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues

Event activities:

• Screening of short films from Asia and Middle East/Northern Africa

• Discussions with expert panellists:
  • How do these films address good practice of interfaith understanding? Can these films serve as educational tools that contribute to interfaith understanding?
  • What challenges related to interfaith understanding surface in the making of such films and use of them for educational purposes? How may such challenges be overcome or dealt with?
• Announcement of winners of international short film competition
• Launch of new web stories on interfaith understanding and co-existence

Main Organizer:

• Norwegian Center for Holocaust and Minority Studies (HL-senteret) /Inclusive Citizenship Project

Project Partners:

• The Lutheran World Federation
• Minority Rights Group International
• Ceasefire: Centre for Civilian Rights
• Jakatarub
• Basa Bali
• Hein Namotemo Indonesia Foundation

Register

Language: English

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

The Beirut-based Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) has selected the theme and prepared materials for the 2022 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity which is observed by churches from 18 to 25 January (or around the feast of Pentecost in parts of the southern hemisphere).

The theme is taken from St Matthew’s Gospel: ‘We saw the star in the East and we came to worship him’ (Mt 2:2). The resources are designed for use in all kinds of ecumenical events including shared worship services and bible studies, as well as private prayer and reflection.  

Available in seven languages (English, French, Spanish, German, Portuguese, Italian, Arabic), the material is prepared under the auspices of the World Council of Churches and the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity.  

This year’s reflections explore the story of the Magi in its biblical setting and within the contemporary context of challenges facing churches in the Middle East today.   

Resources for 2022

Webinar on Youth and Interfaith Relations during a time of uncertainty

Interfaith dialogue is often perceived as a theoretical practice for specialists, a formal activity that is disconnected from everyday life.

During the pandemic, however, young people have reached out in creative and constructive ways to engage in dialogue with friends from a variety of religious backgrounds. There have been conversations about coping with the impact of Covid-19 that draw on our respective spiritual resources. These conversations are taking place in everyday life, either through face-to-face meetings or online encounters. They challenge us to deepen our understanding of interfaith work and acknowledge the critical role of these dialogues in the work to build sustainable peace in all our communities.

The objective of this webinar is to facilitate a conversation between youth from different faith traditions, to share what they have learned about promoting constructive interfaith relations. It also seeks to draw out insights that can encourage more young people to contribute meaningfully in and beyond their own faith communities.

Join the Lutheran World Federation and the Al Amana Centre as we explore youth leadership in practical interfaith dialogue, spirituality in uncertainty, and the role of these dialogues in peacebuilding.

Welcome and Moderator

• Savanna Sullivan, LWF Program Executive for Youth

Opening Remarks

• Rev Dr Sivin Kit, LWF Program Executive for Public Theology and Interreligious Relations

Conversation with Young Leaders

• Rebecca Rajakanthan, Youth Worker, Lutheran Church in Singapore, Singapore.
• Mr. Jamie Evan Cohen, Development Chair, the San Francisco Hillel, United States of America 
• Ms. Holi Deo, Intern, Al Amana Centre, Church of Bangladesh, Bangladesh
• Mr. Abdujalilu Amry Kishama, Law Student, Muslim University of Morogoro, Tanzania
• Seruni Fauzia, Youth Representative Ahmadiyya community, Indonesia

Closing Reflection

Rev. Aaro Rytkonen, Director of Strategic Planning, Development, and Partnerships, Al Amana Centre

Organizers:

• The Lutheran World Federation
• Al Amana Centre

Join via Zoom 

Languages: English

Registration Deadline: 4 February 2022

Webinar on faith actors working together to welcome refugees and build inclusive societies

More than three million refugees from Ukraine crossed borders into neighboring countries in the first month following Russia’s invasion. Although much media attention is now on Europe’s response to the crisis, we must remember that 85 percent of the world’s refugees are currently still hosted by developing countries. The number of those on the move, both in Europe and other countries impacted by conflict and the climate crisis, adds daily to over 80 million people who have already been forcibly displaced worldwide.

Islamic Relief Worldwide, HIAS and the Lutheran World Federation, in collaboration with partners including A World of Neighbors, Finn Church Aid, Network for Traditional and Religious Peacemakers, and Faith to Action Network, have committed to strengthening faith-based responses to the world’s unprecedented refugee crisis.

The 2021 Global Refugee Forum report highlighted the joint pledge of the LWF, IRW, and HIAS as a significant effort that will enhance shared responsibility. The report also described the advantages faith-based organizations have in carrying out advocacy activities and implementing responsibility-sharing locally, thanks to their global reach and representation on the ground.

During this holy season of Ramadan and one week before Good Friday and Passover, join the leaders of these global Christian, Jewish, and Muslim organizations to reflect on ways to support faith actors in refugee response and building inclusive societies.

Welcome

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

Opening Remarks

• Mohamad Elsanousi, Executive Director, Network for Traditional and Religious Peacemakers

Conversation with Leaders

• Rev. Anne Burghardt, General Secretary, The Lutheran World Federation
• Mark Hetfield, President, Chief Executive Officer, HIAS
• Waseem Ahmad, Chief Executive Officer, Islamic Relief Worldwide

Moderator

• Anna Hjelm, Program Director, A World of Neighbors

Closing Reflection

• Peter Munene, Executive Director, Faith to Action Network

Organizers

• Islamic Relief Worldwide
• HIAS
• The Lutheran World Federation

Register Now

Languages: English

Registration Deadline: 8 April 2022

Related News

Read more Three of the world’s leading Jewish, Islamic and Christian humanitarian organisations are teaming up to strengthen faith-based responses to the world’s unprecedented refugee crisis, as growing numbers of people flee their homes to escape war, conflict and persecution.

Three major faith-based organizations commit to Welcome the Stranger

Online event by the Interfaith Liaison Committee (ILC) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

The two latest reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) adaptation and mitigation highlight the need for climate justice.

The webinar will take place in two sessions and addresses the following: 

• Climate justice, faiths, and just transition 
• Voices from the interfaith climate movement 
• Responses from COP26 negotiators 
• Questions & Answers 

Session 1: 9:00-10:30

Registration for Session 1

Session 2: 16:00-17:30

Registration for Session 2

• Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability
• Climate Change 2022: Mitigation of Climate Change

Climate

Related Content

LWF Annual Report 2021 3 June 2022 The LWF President and General Secretary jointly introduce the Annual Report 2021 and the work carried out under the theme “Solidarity in challenging times.” They invite readers to learn about this work and witness in a memorable year.” Department for Planning and Coordination Council 2022 documents 25 May 2022 Download exhibits and other Council 2022 related documents Department for Planning and Coordination Easter Message 2022 16 April 2022 The risen one calls us by name Office of the General Secretary Good Friday Message 2022 14 April 2022 God between the criminals Office of the General Secretary

Webinar on renewing Jewish-Lutheran Relations in times of social hostility and polarization

The urgency of renewing Jewish-Christian relations today will be the subject of this webinar.  Lutheran and Jewish participants will offer a variety of perspectives on how to do this and what lessons we can learn during these times of social hostility and polarization. 

In 2018, a gunman entered the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh on Shabbat, shouting his desire to kill Jews and shooting 11 people in the deadliest attack on Jews in American history.  In the current politically polarizing and conflict-ridden climate, there has been alarming escalation in virulent anti-Jewish rhetoric and violence around the globe.

For Lutherans, Martin Luther’s anti-Jewish writings have received both scholarly attention and internal self-critique within the Lutheran communion. In the process of improving Jewish-Christian relations since 1947, the position of Lutheran churches in rejecting anti-Semitism and affirming the integrity and dignity of the Jewish faith was stated clearly at the LWF Assembly in Budapest in 1984. On that same occasion, LWF’s member churches also clearly distanced themselves from Martin Luther’s writings and expressions against Jews. 

At the same time, there are many people in different parts of the world where Christians may not have direct contact with Jewish friends or neighbors.  Both the shocking news reports and these historic theological developments might seem very distant and disconnected from their daily lives. Join our speakers from the Jewish community and the global Lutheran communion to reflect on the importance of renewing this interfaith relationship today.

Welcome

• Rev. Rivka Schunk, Theological Research Assistant, The Lutheran World Federation

Opening Remarks

• Eva Christina Nilson, Director of Department of Theology, Mission and Justice, The Lutheran World Federation
• Rabbi Dr. Joseph Kanofsky, Kehillat Shaarei Torah, Canada

Discussion Speakers

• Rabbi Dr. David Sandmel, Chair of the International Jewish Committee for Interreligious Relations, USA
• Rabbi Tamar Elad-Applebaum, Founder of ZION: An Eretz Israeli Community in Jerusalem; and the co-founder of the Beit Midrash for Israeli Rabbis, Israel
• Prof. Esther Menn, Dean of Academic Affairs; The Ralph W. and Marilyn R. Klein Professor of Old Testament/Hebrew Bible, The Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, USA
• Dr Jakob Wirén, associate professor at Lund University and Theological advisor of Archbishop Antje Jackelén, Church of Sweden
• Dr Leonard Chrysostomos Epafras, Faculty and researcher, Indonesian Consortium for Religious Studies

Moderator

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

Closing Remarks

• Rabbi Josh Stanton, Spiritual leader of East End Temple in New York City and Senior Fellow of CLAL - The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership

Organizers

• The International Jewish Committee on Interreligious Consultations
• The Lutheran World Federation

Registration

Languages: English (with Spanish Interpretation)

Registration deadline: 16 May 2022