First Dialogue between WCC and UN on World Peace

On 17 May, the general secretaries of the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the United Nations Organisation (UN) held their first meeting in the UN headquarters in New York. The meeting focused on the situation in Iraq and the Israel/Palestine conflict, the role of religion in conflict, and working relations between the two organisations. The meeting was very smooth and harmonious as both organisations appreciate one another for the efforts contributed for international peace.

Representing 342 churches in more than 120 countries in all countries, WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia addressed the growing role of religion in politics and conflict. Religion can contribute “by emphasising fundamental ethics and humanity” while a negative force “to gain political power and emphasise the exclusiveness and primacy of one's own group” is threatening. Also, it helps “to foster goodwill and understanding between communities”. In particuler he referred to the inter-religious dialogue as having to be at the grassroots level and that it must address issues of common concern in the struggle against oppression and injustice.

The most encouraging episode was when the UN secretary-general Kofi Annan welcomed Kobia’s proposals to mark the International Day of Peace with special prayer services. The International Day of Peace will be on 21 September. The action encourages people in different contexts to reflect together on what they can do for peace.

"As a day of prayer for peace, the invitation could also reach people of other faiths.” Kobia stressed.

The situation in Iraq and the Israel/Palestine conflict are also the hot potatoes which are concerning the churches and the UN. Responding to the trouble in Iraq, Kobia attributed the escalation of violence to the wrong policies of the occupation forces, and he stressed "an exit strategy would begin with the withdrawal of the US from all civilian affairs" including management, financial responsibility and oil. He suggested “the creation of a mechanism for truth and reconciliation, which should include in its mandate the actions of the occupying powers”.

Kobia has worked on WCC’s two projects on the Israel/Palestine conflict with Annan. Annan expressed the need for cooperation between the WCC Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine/Israel (EAPPI), and the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

Among other issues of common concern mentioned at the meeting were poverty, the HIV/AIDS pandemic, and conflicts in Africa. Kobia also took advantage of the meeting to invite the UN secretary-general to participate in and address the WCC assembly to be held in Porto Alegre in February 2006.