WCC News: WCC meets with Right Livelihood to plan joint climate justice work

World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay met with Right Livelihood executive director Ole von Uexkuell and Right Livelihood board chair Rev. Dr Gunilla Hallonsten on 30 October. On 30 October, Rev. Dr Gunilla Hallonsten, Dean at the Church of Sweden in Malmö and Chair of the Right Livelihood Board, and Ole von Uexküll, Right Livelihood Executive Director, met with with WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay. Photo: Grégoire de Fombelle/WCC 01 November 2023 Right Livelihood, which describes itself as a courage-powered community for social change, annually bestows awards to individuals or organizations, to recognize “the actions of brave visionaries and building impactful connections around the world.” The WCC and Right Livelihood discussed mutual support and synergies, particularly involvement in the global network of laureates, as well as initiatives related to climate justice and peacebuilding. The WCC and the Right Livelihood organized a day-long seminar on 12 May, offered in a hybrid format, to support and empower churches and faith-based communities respond more effectively to the challenges of environmental degradation and climate change. WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay said after the meeting “Right Livelihood has many areas that mutually overlap with WCC’s priority of addressing climate-related issues for positive social change and include the local actors like religious leaders and communities. We are extremely keen about working together in areas of peace and caring for the earth and creation. Most commendable is Right Livelihood`s focus on practical information and involvement when it comes to climate justice.”  Pillay underlined the need for “forming collaborative partnerships has the potential to create a high impact in making a sustainable difference and solving global problems.” He added,“ we look forward to working with Right Livelihood on issues of common interests to make a difference in the world.”  Right Livelihood executive director Ole von Uexkull and Right Livelihood board chair Rev. Dr Gunilla Hallonsten stressed the importance of faith-based approaches in working for sustainability. Hallonsten said she was “impressed with the work that Churches around the world do to for climate justice. And I see much more potential.” Uexkull added that he looked forward to “linking faith-based actors with Right Livelihood Laureates to mutually strengthen their work on the ground”. WCC general secretary Pillay was accompanied by WCC director of Communication Marianne Ejdersten and Rev. Nathan Day Wilson, WCC manager, of Income Monitoring & Development. Right Livelihood's von Uexkull wants WCC-hosted re-greening event to spur global movement (WCC interview, 16 May 2023) Environmental care driven by faith is core to Tony Rinaudo for Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (WCC feature story, 15 May 2023) What will it take to re-green our earth? Daylong seminar sparks ideas and inspiration to act (WCC news release, 15 May 2023) Photo gallery of the seminar "Caring for the Earth, Transforming Lives: Linking Faith & Natural Regeneration" On 30 October, Rev. Dr Gunilla Hallonsten, Dean at the Church of Sweden in Malmö and Chair of the Right Livelihood Board, and Ole von Uexküll, Right Livelihood Executive Director, met with with WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay. Photo: Grégoire de Fombelle/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 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