World Council of Churches Calls for U.N. to Maintain Reform Promises

NEW YORK – A week before over 170 world leaders were to convene in New York for the United Nations World Summit, the World Council of Churches made clear its views that the U.N. should hold fast to the fundamental principles of reform.
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Specifically, the ecumenical body representing more than 347 churches, denominations, and church fellowships worldwide called for anti-poverty and security concerns to be held together.

Pointing out that the "WCC and the U.N. have shared goals on justice and peace, eradication of poverty, and the promotion and defense of human rights and dignity," a Sept. 7 letter from WCC General Secretary, Reverend Dr. Samuel Kobia, to the two governments that preside over the G8 and the G77, outlined the Council's perspective in nine areas of U.N. work.

The letter also supported the U.N.-sponsored reform to be representative of the world. According to AP, there is widespread agreement among the 191 U.N. member states that there is a need for management reforms in the U.N. Secretariat, which is headed by General Secretary Kofi Annan. However, there is a deep division between developed and developing nations, on whether the secretary-general should get more power at the expense of the General Assembly which controls the U.N. budget and most management decisions.

The WCC also wished for the right to protection of people in peril – limiting military force and not allowing human rights to be compromised in the name of national security.

One of the more stringent demands is the call for 100 percent debt cancellation for poor countries and an increase in Overseas Development Assistance.

In addition, the WCC called for implementation of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), the Kyoto Protocol (which would reduce greenhouse gas emissions), and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) – which aims to halve world poverty figures by 2015.

The Millennium Development Goals, adopted by the U.N. in 2000, were in jeopardy in past weeks when U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. John Bolton demanded its deletion despite the desire of developing countries – that comprise the majority of member states – to ensure universal primary education and stem the AIDS pandemic. According to reports, Bolton relented in the face of opposition from nearly every U.N. member.

Christian leaders representing Micah Challenge, the growing worldwide Christian campaign in support of the MDGs, will be taking part in major activities in New York and Washington to influence the outcome of the World Summit.

More than 30 Christian leaders from around the world will gather at Washington National Cathedral in the nation's capital, to call for a recommitment to achieve the MDGs. Archbishop Njongonkulu Ndungane, patron of the Micah Challenge will speak at the event and a delegation from this meeting will present their views to Kofi Annan on the eve of the Summit.

A public vigil will take place near the U.N. buildings during the three days of the Summit. The event, during which people will pray and fast, will be attended by former Archbishop Desmond Tutu of Cape Town, on Sept. 14 at 12:00 p.m. and current Archbishop Ndungane on Sept. 16 at 2:00 p.m.





Rhoda Tse
Christian Today Correspondent