WCC NEWS: Conference will focus on “Berlin 1884-1885 and Anti-Black Racism: In search of a shared Anti-Racist Ecumenical Vision”

A conference from 17-21 May in Berlin will invite global ecumenists to intentionally engage the outcomes of the Berlin conference in 1884-85, develop a response to the historic and continuing legacies of colonization, and collectively re-envision a de-colonial Africa in a concrete “Anti-Racist Ecumenical Action Plan for Decolonization and Reparations.” The Französischer Dom in Berlin, Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC  3 March 2025 The conference, organized by the World Council of Churches and ecumenical partners, will explore matters in three inter-related streams: “Berlin Conference and Anti-Black racism,” “Mission, Theology, and anti-Black racism,” and “Decolonization, Reparatory Justice, and a Renewed Ecumenism.” It has been 140 years since the Berlin Conference, a historical event that epitomized the height of colonialism and its racial injustices. Through this conference, Africa was partitioned, and Africans were artificially fragmented into citizens of states irrespective of existing precolonial community boundaries. The year 2025 comes at a time when racism, both interpersonal and systemic, is increasingly visible and bold globally. A combination of political, economic and social problems in the global south—most of them legacies of colonization, the climate crisis and conflicts—which have led to forced migrations and pressures in receiving countries, have emboldened racist far-right social and political movements, especially in the global north paving the way for brazen racism, especially against Africans, People of African Descent and Black people in general. Outcomes of the conference will include a comprehensive publication detailing the proceedings and key insights; a strategic action plan for the WCC and its member churches to enhance their anti-racism initiatives; strengthened ecumenical partnerships and collaborations focused on social justice and racial equity; and increased awareness and commitment among church leaders and congregations to uphold the integrity of Christian confession in the fight against racism. In addition to commemorating the Berlin Conference, participants will also note the historical milestones of the First Council of Nicaea and the inaugural World Conference on Life and Work. The event will include in-person and hybrid sessions.    Learn more about the WCC work on overcoming Racism, Discrimination and Xenophobia WCC offers new anti-racist and anti-bias material for churches and communities "Overcoming racism, xenophobia, and related discrimination", a WCC blogpost by Dr Masiiwa Ragies Gunda, WCC programme executive for programmatic responses on overcoming racism "WCC reference group meets in Ghana to discuss realities of racism, xenophobia, and casteism around the world" (WCC feature story, 12 December 2024) Nicaea 2025 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 Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland