LWF looks forward to new strategic period with ACT Alliance

ACT Alliance General Assembly to discuss new strategy

(LWI) - The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) is looking forward to the future direction of ACT Alliance, which is holding its third general assembly in Uppsala, Sweden.

The LWF is a founding member of ACT, which carries out humanitarian response, development and advocacy globally through its members. It aims to reinforce collaboration among its membership to achieve greater impact.

At the 28 October – 1 November assembly, ACT will discuss strategic direction outlining priorities for the period 2019 to 2026.

Humanitarian action cannot take place in isolation. We need to work cooperatively with other organizations.

“LWF remains committed to the ACT Alliance and the endeavor to join forces with others to improve the lives of the most marginalized in this world,” World Service Director Maria Immonen said. “LWF has been a member of ACT from the outset and takes pride in being part of one of the largest ecumenical bodies devoted to providing humanitarian assistance and promoting life with dignity. Humanitarian action cannot take place in isolation. We need to work cooperatively with other organizations.

“We congratulate ACT for holding this assembly and look forward to the new strategic period,” she said.

The strategy will put ACT forums at the center of the alliance and focus on holistic work together. It will target several thematic areas: gender justice, climate justice, migration and displacement, peace and human security, humanitarian response and emergency preparedness, and the faith-motivated and rights-based nature of the alliance.

The LWF is involved at all levels of ACT, from local forums to governance and advisory groups, and is often a leading operational member on the ground in emergency and humanitarian response. In addition to being a lead actor in the implementation of ACT appeals and other joint emergency response mechanisms, the LWF works closely with the alliance on a range of advocacy issues.

LWF General Secretary Rev. Dr Martin Junge chaired a panel during the assembly. Immonen will participate in other sessions as a member of the governing board.