Preparations underway for 60th anniversary of World Council of Churches

The Central Committee of the World Council of Churches (WCC) is preparing for its meeting next year to coincide with the celebration of the 60th anniversary of WCC. High level church and civil society figures will participate at a special event to mark the anniversary.

The Central Committee is the WCC's highest governing body in the interval between assemblies, and meets every 12-18 months. It is responsible for executing Assembly resolutions, reviewing WCC programmes and monitoring their implementation, and approving WCC budget plans.

The prospects of a "WCC assembly that would gather all churches and offer expanded space to partner ecumenical organisations" will be among the key points for discussion and decision in the agenda of this meeting.

The moderator of the Central Committee, Rev. Dr Walter Altmann, will open the proceedings on Wednesday, 13 February. This will be followed by the report of the WCC general secretary, Rev Dr Samuel Kobia on Thursday, 14 February.

The meeting will take place from 13 to 20 February 2008 at the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva, Switzerland.