WCC News: WCC invites global fellowship to join World Children's Day events

The World Council of Churches (WCC) extends a warm invitation to all its member churches and partners to actively participate in two events organised to celebrate World Children's Day on 20 November. 5 November 2021, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom: A group of school children gather to rally, as under a 'call to #UprootTheSystem', Fridays for Future mobilized tens of thousands of people from all walks of life in a climate strike in Glasgow on 5 November - Youth and Public Empowerment Day at COP26 - 'seeking to address ecological and social crises at their roots by placing most affected people and areas at the center of the struggle and struggling for a society that places people and planet over profit.' Glasgow hosts the United Nations climate change conference COP26, where world leaders gather to negotiate a response to the ongoing climate crisis and emergency. Photo: Albin Hillert/Life on Earth Pictures 16 November 2023 The day will commence with an Online Symposium at 8:30 am CET, providing a platform for participants to explore opportunities in implementing the Churches' Commitments to Children worldwide and discuss progress in child protection, child participation, and intergenerational climate justice. The symposium, hosted by the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Mission, will include testimonials from Child Helplines in Africa, foster meaningful participation by children and youth in churches, and inspire through intergenerational climate justice champions from churches in Asia.  Later in the day, a Hybrid Conference will take place in Mumbai, India, at 3:00 pm CET. The online and onsite event, co-organised with Arigatou International, UNICEF, and interfaith partners, highlights “Caring for our Children is Caring for our Planet.” Children engaged in the Churches’ Commitments to Children implementation will share their views on climate justice. WCC will spotlight the urgent need to address misinformation around the climate emergency, defuse carbon bombs, and pave the way for a sustainable future that puts children’s well-being at the centre of decision-making.  "We welcome all member churches and partners to register and join us online in both of these World Children's Day events. Building on testimonials, concrete examples and powerful strategies, let us re-imagine a better future for and with children and youth. Let us join forces towards a brighter, sustainable future," said Frederique Seidel, WCC programme executive for Child Rights. World Children's Day marks the adoption of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) in 1989, which was developed with solid contributions by churches and other faith-based actors. Playing an important role in the consultative process leading to the development of the new UN General Comment 26, WCC underscores its significance for guiding governments on children and climate, essential for the effective implementation of the UN CRC. Register for the World Children’s Day Symposium here. Register here for the World Day of Prayer & Action for Children (hybrid event). Climate-Responsible Finance - a Moral Imperative towards Children Resources and tools available for the implementation of Churches’ Commitments to Children Publication: Climate Justice with and for Children and Youth in Churches  Engaging children/youth in the implementation of the Churches’ Commitments To Children 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 general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. 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