The head of the World Council of Churches has sent a memorandum to the secretary general of the United Nations, Kofi Annan, in response to the recently released report on reforming the UN.
"The World Council of Churches and the UN were formed at the same time and in the same political context, with the ultimate aim to work for unity and peace in the world. We have grown and struggled together in response to the challenges of our times," said the memorandum, signed by WCC’s General Secretary Rev. Samuel Kobia.
"The concerns raised in our process are closely linked to the agenda of the UN," Kobia explained. "The WCC and UN have shared goals on justice and peace, on eradication of poverty and on the promotion and defense of human rights and human dignity."
Annan’s report on reforming the UN was entitled "In larger freedom, toward development, security and human rights for all."
While the WCC memorandum critiques parts of the report, it acknowledges that Annan’s effort will be helpful in the larger sense.
"We consider these reports most helpful in the urgent work to reform the UN, set clearer priorities and mobilise the political will needed to fulfil its tasks," Kobia wrote.
Most criticisms were centred on the need to internationalise the UN to include greater representation from developing nations.
"We would like to encourage you to explore ways for the UN to work closely, constructively and creatively with this issue, seeking to understand and interpret the growing influence of religion, searching for ways to prevent a destructive role for religion and to promote religion's constructive role," the memorandum read.
The following is the full text of the memorandum, including the WCC’s responses to specific parts of Annan’s report:
HUMAN RIGHTS AND RELIGIOUS FREEDOM:
61st session of the
UN Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR)
12 March - 22 April 2005
Memorandum by the general secretary of the WCC to the UN secrtary-general in response to Mr Kofi Annan's report, "In larger freedom", the High-Level Panel report on threats, challenges and change, and the report of the Millennium Project
21 April 2005
