WCC NEWS: From eco-anxiety to hope: Ecumenical International Youth Day 2025

The World Council of Churches (WCC) invites churches and communities around the world to join Ecumenical International Youth Day 2025 under the theme: "Rooted in Hope: Nurturing Faith and Mental Well-being in the Face of Climate Crisis (Eco-Anxiety)." Photo: Simon Chambers/ACT Alliance 18 July 2025 This year’s observance, 12-13 August, is connected to the recently launched WCC Ecumenical Decade for Climate Justice Action and highlights the growing impact of climate change on the mental, emotional, and spiritual health of young people.  Amid floods, fires, and rising global temperatures, many young people are experiencing eco-anxiety - a profound sense of fear and grief about the future of the planet. For Rev. Dr Kuzipa Nalwamba, WCC programme director for Unity, Mission, and Ecumenical Formation, “in a world where the climate crisis fuels fear and uncertainty, we are called, as people of faith, to be rooted not in despair, but in hope,” she said. “Today, young people are turning eco-anxiety into action: reclaiming waste, restoring creation, and refusing to let apathy win. We invite you to join us in tangible acts of hope that we will gather from diverse stories of young people,” added Nalwamba. Faith-rooted response “In a time of deep ecological uncertainty, young people are turning to faith and community not just for answers, but for hope,” said Abigayle Bolado, WCC programme executive for Youth Engagement. “This year’s Youth Day is about lifting up their voices, amplifying their stories, and grounding them in a theology of care for creation.” Ecumenical International Youth Day 2025 aims to recognize eco-anxiety as an urgent issue affecting young people across cultures, and will invite churches to confront its root causes while also addressing its emotional and spiritual impacts. Through theological grounding in creation care, the day will amplify the stories of youth from diverse contexts, showcasing how climate change is impacting their lives and environments. It will also spotlight individuals and initiatives already active in climate justice, fostering opportunities for support and collaboration. This year’s edition is a collaborative effort between the WCC, ACT Alliance, and the World Student Christian Federation,reflecting a shared commitment to elevate young voices and respond to the spiritual dimensions of the climate crisis.  Register here Event details Young people in the ecumenical movement Photo: Gjermund Øystese/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 356 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