Youth Offer Vision to Transform the World in WCC Assembly 2006

The Central Committee of the World Council of Churches (WCC) has continued its 9-day long meeting in Geneva. On Wednesday, members of the central committee gathered to have bible study and gave presentations during the assembly.

All participants, ranging from church leaders to youth stewards, have showed their commitment to planning an exciting WCC Assembly in 2006. In particular, great hope can be seen among the youth who have shown that they are very motivated to fulfil the vision to transform the world.

During a presentation, youth stewards put their own spin on the assembly theme. Holding up cards with the assembly theme, "God, in your grace, transform the world" printed on them, the stewards inserted another card that said, "let youth".

The "renewed" version of the theme then read, "God, in your grace, LET YOUTH transform the world."

Some of the stewards shared their views on global issues. Steward Penias Mulauzi of Zambia said, "Let us not just talk about theology, but live theology. Let's not just talk about faith, but live faith. Let's not just talk about youth but let youth talk."

The participation of youth in the central committee of the WCC has been highly encouraged by the General Secretary Rev Dr Samuel Kobia, in the wake of the current imbalance between "old" and "young". On Tuesday, Kobia urged delegates to create the youngest assembly ever, to come up and "balance the scales".

It is being proposed that a 15% vacancy of WCC assembly delegates will be recruited from youth. 85% of the delegates to the assembly have already been nominated by WCC member churches; the central committee confirmed these nominations, and will nominate the remaining 15% of delegates, based on the proposals and alternates submitted by the member churches for consideration.

The ninth WCC assembly in 2006 is going to be held on 14-23 February, 2006, at the Pontifical Catholic University in Porto Alegre, Brazil.

In his remarks on Tuesday, WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia said he welcomed the opportunity to have the assembly in this region. "The testimonies of the churches and the challenges faced by the societies throughout the continent will inform our work in Brazil," Kobia said.

During his visit to the region at the end of 2004, he had seen "a great hope for political and economic renewal," Kobia noted. "The role of the WCC in expressing support and solidarity with the Latin American people" during the difficult times of dictatorships "is greatly acknowledged and appreciated."

The planning committee estimates that about 3,000 people will attend. Others may join the visitors' programmes called "mutirao", a Portuguese word that connotes "coming together."

It invited member churches to be in prayer for the assembly, to have discussions and Bible studies on the theme, to attend, make donations supporting the event, and watch for regular updates.

Rev. Cibele Kuss of the Evangelical Church of Lutheran Confession in Brazil said, all are urged to "Come with open eyes, a joyful and open heart - really go deeper into our Latin American reality."