In partnership with the Protestant Church in Switzerland, the WCC convened on 27 and 28 May, an Armenian Heritage Conference. They issued an urgent call for immediate action to the international community at a press conference during the event. Rev. Rita Famos, president of the Protestant Church in Switzerland, noted at a press conference that the situation in the Artsakh/Nagorno-Karabakh region had been highlighted in the Swiss Parliament. She urged inter-religious dialogue to reach compromises. "From a Swiss perspective, this is significant,” said Famos. “As a neutral country with a tradition of humanitarian engagement, Switzerland can play a connecting role – bringing together different governments and encouraging them to take active responsibility," said the Swiss Protestant leader. "That idea of using neutrality not as a position of distance, but to build bridges for concrete action,” was the message of the parliamentarians. Diverse views Famos said, “The first thing we have to learn from each other is to listen,” and bring together people of diverse views. WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay said, "The key thing that the World Council of Churches has always been engaged in is the awareness aspect. "Because there are a lot of people suffering in the world that other people are not mindful of, but not only just the awareness, but also trying to establish the facts in those situations because very often distorted stories or misinformation or disinformation is communicated," said Pillay. He said, "Awareness and advocacy is what we have always been working on," noting that the next phase is "moving government structures" and people with power and authority to be making a difference, speaking about justice and peace. He cautioned that nationalist influences influence many churches, but noted the strong role of united churches at the same time. If the churches lived by the Gospel consistently, they would have a huge influence, said Pillay. "In times of polarization, it's essential that we do not become part of the division but instead act as bridges – listening, building trust, and speaking from a place of moral conviction," said the general secretary. "We must also work together across churches, faiths, and regions. That unity gives strength and credibility. And we must be present: locally engaged, politically aware, and globally connected.” Not about power "In the end," he said, "it's not about power – it's about persistence, compassion, and courage." Also at the press conference were Archbishop Dr Vicken Aykazian, vice moderator of the WCC central committee; Dr Luis Moreno Ocampo, former first chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court; and Rev. Rita Famos, president of the Protestant Church in Switzerland. The predominantly Armenian-populated region of Nagorno-Karabakh was claimed by both Azerbaijan and Armenia. The Conference on the Preservation of Armenian Religious, Cultural, and Historical Heritage in Artsakh/Nagorno-Karabakh was held on 27 and 28 May in Bern, where the Swiss parliament is located. Archbishop Dr Vicken Aykazian stated that the conference in Bern was a continuation of work on Artsakh/Nagorno-Karabakh, building on the efforts begun the previous year. "We sometimes forget the power of prayer" to help bring peace to the area, he said, urging unity. He said what is happening in the area is not only about the suffering of Armenians but also of other people, such as Kurds, and he praised the late Pope Francis for speaking out on the region. Dr Luis Moreno Ocampo said the world should not give up in the fight against injustices. Learn more about the Armenian Heritage Conference As Armenian Heritage Conference opens, “we are not here to be bystanders” (WCC news release, 27 May 2025) Watch the recording of the press conference Photo gallery | 
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