WCC News: Faith leaders call for economic transformation at GEM School 2025

A keynote session at the World Council of Churches' Ecumenical School on Governance, Economics and Management for an Economy of Life (GEM School 2025) discussed stark global wealth disparities, with speakers calling for fundamental economic transformation rooted in theological principles. The keynote “Inequality—Bridging Economics and Theology," featuring Rosario Guzman from Ibon Foundation and Rev. Dr Park Seong-won from Gyeongan Theological Graduate University, took place during the ongoing 10-day programme in South Korea that concludes 29 August. Participants of the Ecumenical School on Governance, Economics and Management for an Economy of Life (GEM School 2025) gather in a plenary session to discuss urgent actions for economic and ecological justice. Photo: Athena Peralta/WCC 28 August 2025 Guzman presented sobering statistics from the UBS Global Wealth Report 2025, published on June 18, showing that "1.55 billion individuals collectively own 0.6% of global wealth" while "60 million individuals hold 48.1% of global wealth." She warned that "inequality begets inequality; it does not solve itself. It creates conditions of unpeace, decreases health and education, violates basic human rights and freedoms." Park offered theological alternatives drawn from Reformed and East Asian traditions. "Calvin's message to the neoliberal economy" calls for shifting "from exclusive to inclusive" approaches and moving wealth "from the rich to the poor" rather than the reverse, he explained. Drawing from Laotzi's wisdom, Park advocated for a "water economy" that "helps everyone" and emphasises "equilibrium, justice and balance" with the principle that "enough is enough." Dr Chang Yoon-Jae, commissioner of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Commission on Climate Justice and Sustainable Development and dean of School of Theology at Ewha Womans University, called for distinguishing between growth and development. "We find ourselves trapped in an obsession with growth, but now is the time to fundamentally shift the entire economic paradigm to align with the limits of finite energy and the Earth's resources," he said. "To remember and observe the Sabbath is to say no to that ideology and to choose a different rhythm of life. This is the heart of the Jubilee. It is resistance." The speakers concluded that theological wisdom offers concrete pathways beyond current economic systems. Park highlighted East Asian principles stating "if you unite wealth, you divide the people; but if you divide wealth, you unite the people." Reflecting on the keynote presentations, Athena Peralta, director of the WCC Commission on Climate Justice and Sustainable Development, noted how such sessions enrich participants' understanding. "These theological perspectives on economic alternatives demonstrate exactly what the GEM School aims to achieve—equipping participants with both analytical tools and spiritual grounding to challenge systems that concentrate wealth among the few," she said. The programme concludes with presentations of strategic projects developed by participants to advance an Economy of Life in their regional contexts WCC convenes major gatherings on economic justice and artificial intelligence in South Korea (News Release, 14 August 2025) GEM School 2025: Equipping faith leaders for economic and ecological justice Sustainability and Economy of Life UBS Global Wealth Report 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 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