WCC News: WCC contributes to global dialogue on ecology and conflict at online summer school

The World Council of Churches (WCC) participated in the Online Summer Ecumenical School for Dialogue on “Ecology through the Prism of War: Challenges for Ukraine and the World,” organized by the Institute of Ecumenical Studies of the Ukrainian Catholic University from 1-9 July. 'Stop the wars, stop the warming,' reads a sign as people gather at the United Nations climate summit COP28 for an advocacy action undertaken by the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) to highlight the issue of militarism in relation to CO2 emmissions and the climate crisis. Photo: LWF/Albin Hillert 17 July 2024 Dr Louk Andrianos, WCC consultant on care for creation, sustainability, and climate justice, was one of 13 lecturers who shared their expertise with 20 students from Europe, Africa, and Ukraine. Andrianos' lecture, “Ecological Justice Must Be a Compelling Matter to Stop War: Steering Human Greed to Oikocentrism,” emphasized the connection between ecological justice and peace.  He stated, “In addition to human rights protection, Christian faith should be against war for ecological justice locally and globally.” Andrianos concluded his lecture by sharing the 2024 WCC Statement on Biodiversity for COP16 and Climate COP29, and urged support for initiatives like the Ecocide Law, the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, and the Season of Creation ecumenical movement. The event featured a series of lectures and discussions examining the environmental crisis resulting from Russia's military actions against Ukraine. Participants analyzed intentional and unintentional ecocides and explored post-conflict environmental restoration strategies. Rev. Dr Fr Roman Fihas, director of the Ukrainian Catholic University Institute of Ecumenical Studies, remarked, “We plan to analyze the causes and consequences of the environmental crisis that arose as a result of Russia’s large-scale military aggression against Ukraine. We will learn to distinguish between intentional crimes of ecocide and unintentional ones. We will try to outline the prospects of environmental restoration after the end of the war by studying the experience of other countries and regions.” The summer school addressed themes such as the role of international law in preventing ecocide, the value of nature, and the impact of war on the environment. The program concluded with a seminar, during which students presented essays reflecting on their learnings and proposing solutions for ecological and political challenges. For more information, please visit the Institute of Ecumenical Studies website at IES UCU. 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