The World Council of Churches (WCC) International Affairs and Advocacy Week came to a close on Friday 19th November 2004, and the concluding theme from the gathering was that now, more than ever, the role of religion in politics and international affairs will demand more attention and action from churches.

Topics that have dominated the news headlines over recent months have been the critical situations in Sudan and Iraq, the review of processes on the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty, United Nations reform, and the Millennium Development Goals. All of these have shown clearly the vital role that churches will have to play in the future advocacy that will take place in 2005.

“By emphasising fundamental ethics and humanity, by giving voice to the voiceless, by focusing on inclusiveness and a deeper sense of hope, by highlighting the importance of the meeting of cultures, by being ecumenical, religion will make a much-needed and constructive contribution to our societies,” said WCC Commission of the Churches on International Affairs (CCIA) director, Peter Weiderund, during one of the week’s final sessions.

Those gathered consisted of key leaders in international affairs from all over the globe, and also people responsible for church awareness on international affairs. They took place in open dialogue with a number of national political leaders, promoting hope for world peace and justice.

The event took place in New York, USA and a packed schedule provided the opportunity to share vital information, to consolidate and strategise the work of CCIA as well as church advocacy works at local, national and internationally levels.

Jitka Krausova, the general secretary for the Ecumenical Council of Churches in he Czech Republic, reported that the week had been a great opportunity to gain direct and effective contact with the WCC and CCIA works, and to learn how the WCC member churches in the Czech Republic could support their national churches in the struggle for peace around the world.

Rev Nuhad Tomeh, associate general secretary for the Middle-East Council of Churches said, “I had lost hope in advocacy in our critical situations in the Middle East, because it seems that the superpowers throw all of our best efforts away. When I hear from this group of churches and people committed to being people of hope, I am learning how advocacy can be effective. We can not give up.”

Ms Sharon Bradshaw from the Caribbean Conference of Churches said, “The UN Advocacy Week helps us create a roadmap of possibilities for actions and efforts in the coming year.”

Countless inspirational stories were told from members across the world, and members heard about the great perseverance of many church leaders and workers who had dealt with long-standing conflicts in Colombia, Israel and Palestine, Sudan, Somalia, Liberia and Zimbabwe.

Evidence was given in abundance that advocacy processes undertaken by churches over the past year had led to a greater solidarity in the global ecumenical movement, and reassurance was given that increased support would be given for the coming year.

Peter Weiderund closed the gathering saying, “Without being paralysed by the realities of the world, we as churches are called to offer hope and promise as well as a call to repentance, on the basis of the Gospel. We must continue with the ecumenical movement’s commitment to promoting a just, peaceful, participatory and sustainable world order.”