WCC NEWS: Berlin Conference to Address Racism, Xenophobia and the Legacy of Colonialism, 17–20 May 2025

Commemorating the 140th anniversary of the 1884–1885 Berlin Conference that legitimized the colonial partitioning of Africa, this global event will confront the ongoing legacies of colonialism and systemic racism. At a time of growing polarization, the conference aims to offer an ecumenical and ethical framework of justice and solidarity. The Französischer Dom in Berlin, Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC  13 May 2025 Amid growing global polarization, political extremism, and a renewed rise in racist and xenophobic rhetoric, this conference provides a timely platform for ecumenical engagement anchored in faith-based advocacy, justice, and transnational solidarity. Questions of migration, historical accountability, and social cohesion dominate the political discourse in Europe and elsewhere.  The Berlin Conference will provide journalists with access to influential voices reshaping the intersection of religion, human rights, and race today. Keynote Speakers Include: Prof. Hulisani Ramantswana (South Africa), University of South Africa – specialist in decolonial theology and African biblical interpretation. Prof. Joerg Rieger (United States), Vanderbilt University – authority on theology, class, empire, and solidarity. Ms. Adele Halliday (Canada), United Church of Canada – educator and anti-racism leader with global ecumenical engagement. Ms. Yvonne Apiyo Brändle-Amolo (Switzerland/Kenya), Swiss parliamentarian and activist – advocate for racial and gender justice through politics and art. Other Featured Speakers Include: Rev. Dr Angelique Walker-Smith (United States), Pan-African theological engagement leader Dr Barbara G. Reynolds (Guyana), Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent, United Nations Rev. Dr Fidon Mwombeki (Tanzania), General Secretary, All Africa Conference of Churches Rev. Dr Guy Hewitt (Barbados/United Kingdom) Director for Racial Justice, Church of England   Media Accreditation Accreditation is required for all journalists wishing to attend in person or online. Accredited media will gain access to exclusive press briefings, and interview opportunities. For those not able to attend onsite in Berlin, media briefings can be followed online with the opportunity to ask questions directly to panels. Please apply for accreditation by filling out the application form online. Find a detailed programme of the conference here For further questions and inquiries, please email: media@wcc-coe.org. You are also welcome to contact: Marianne Ejdersten, WCC communication director, +41 79 507 63 63  Claus Grue, WCC senior communication consultant, +46 70 611 09 77   Looking forward to receiving your application and seeing you in Berlin, or online!   Media accreditation form REGISTER here to join the conference online Annotated agenda of the conference (updated regularly) “Berlin 1884-1885 and Anti-Black Racism: In search of a shared Anti-Racist Ecumenical Vision”, WCC events, 17-21 May 2025 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   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