WCC NEWS: Promoting human dignity through art

“Affirming justice and human dignity”  was the theme of the fourth thematic plenary of the World Council of Churches(WCC) 11th assembly on 6 September. The presentation featured a wheelchair dance performance by Fadi El Halabi, a wheelchair user and Ms. Karen Abi Nader, an international artist. In the freestyle dance, Halabi effortlessly spinned around his wheelchair and,  with slow coordinated moves together with his dance partner, threw hands in the air symbolizing the joy that can only be felt when all exclusionary and disempowerment practices in church and society are addressed. Fadi El Halal represents the Ecumenical Disability Advocates Network at the World Council of Churches' 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe, Germany. The assembly takes place August 31 to September 8 under the theme "Christ's Love Moves the World to Reconciliation and Unity." Photo: Mike DuBose/WCC 06 September 2022 In an interview with WCC Communication,  Halabi explaining the role of art in affirming justice and human dignity. Q. Please introduce yourself. Halabi: I am a member of the Maronite Church in Lebanon, the Ecumenical Disability Advocates Network Middle East Coordinator, a psychotherapist, couple counselor and wheelchair dancer. I also host TV, radio talk shows and appear as a frequent guest speaker and moderator in renowned universities and in the civic environment in the field of human relations. Q. What inspired you to become a wheelchair dancer? Halabi: I always had a dream of creating a dance group where people with disabilities and those without disabilities would be able to dance together to promote inclusion. That dream came true in 2009 when together with my dance partner at that time, we performed the first wheelchair dance during the first international salsa festival that took place in Lebanon. In 2010 we performed “wheels on fire” dance in Cyprus and this marked the birth of “ambassadors of joy and hope: from Lebanon to the world”.  In 2015, we represented Lebanon at the world Latin dance cup held in Miami. Q. What are some of the barriers that persons with disabilities experience in their quest for inclusion in church and society? Halabi: There are many barriers with the main ones being misleading theologies and cultural beliefs. This has left many persons with disabilities stigmatized and marginalized. They have not been able to fully contribute their gifts to the church and society like other persons. This is the reason behind the development of the two WCC theological statements on disability “A Church of All and for All” and a “A Gift of Being: Called to be a Church of All and for All” to promote dialogue within churches on issues of disability. Q. How can the church use art to affirm justice and human dignity for all? Halabi: I believe that art can be a strong way to deliver a message more than any spoken speech. Art is a witness to the richness of human nature and gifts. It gives a voice to address stigma, marginalization and disempowerment that has characterized our world. Let the church use art to boldly proclaim the truth about the injustices in its midst and bring joy and active hope to all humanity. Livestream of the WCC 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe, Germany Photos of the WCC 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe, Germany WCC 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe, Germany 6 September 2022, Karlsruhe, Germany: Fadi El Halabi (in wheelchair) and Karen Abou Nader perform a dance of joy during a thematic plenary focused on ’Affirming Justice and Human Dignity’, at the 11th Assembly of the World Council of Churches, held in Karlsruhe, Germany from 31 August to 8 September, under the theme "Christ's Love Moves the World to Reconciliation and Unity." Fadi El Halabi is a psychotherapist and the regional coordinator for the Ecumenical Disability Advocates Network and an ambassador of joy and hope from Lebanon. Karen Abou Nader is an international dancer and choreographer, and an ambassador of joy and hope from Lebanon. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 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 352 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 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