WCC NEWS: WCC congratulates 2021 Nobel Peace Prize laureates

As the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to journalists Maria Ressa and Dmitry Muratov, World Council of Churches (WCC) acting general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca congratulated them and expressed solidarity with their ongoing fight for justice and peace. Maria Ressa and Dmitry Andreyevich Muratov, the Nobel Peace Prize laureates 2021. Illustration: Niklas Elmehed © Nobel Prize Outreach 08 October 2021 “This award underscores the critical importance of freedom of expression and information as pillars for democracy, justice and peace,” said Sauca. “The courageous work undertaken by Ms Ressa and Mr Muratov exemplifies the ongoing struggle to secure and protect these values, and to ensure freedom of the press.” The awards were announced at a ceremony in Oslo on 8 October. The pair were given the award "for their efforts to safeguard freedom of expression, which is a precondition for democracy and lasting peace.” The two journalists are standing for freedoms that are essential for an informed public discourse, said Sauca. "We pray that this award will be an encouragement not only to Ms Ressa and Mr Muratov, but for all those who work for transparency and for truth,” he said. In September, the WCC, World Association for Christian Communication and other partners organized a symposium on “Communication for Social Justice in a Digital Age,” publishing a manifesto as a result of discussions. The Nobel Prize-winning journalists exemplify the kinds of justice described in the manifesto. “We need principles that allow all people to engage in transparent, informed, and democratic debate, where people have unfettered access to the information and knowledge essential to peaceful coexistence, empowerment, responsible civic engagement, and mutual accountability,” reads the manifesto. Manifesto of the symposium "Communication for Social Justice in a Digital Age" International symposium "Communication for Social Justice in a Digital Age" Read more about the Nobel Peace Prize 2021 See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 349 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 550 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC acting general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca, from the Orthodox Church in Romania. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches 150 route de Ferney Geneve 2 1211 Switzerland