WCC news: How do we promote full inclusion and belonging? Webinar shows actionable steps

A webinar, “Towards Inclusive and Decolonial Churches: Advancing Disability Rights and Justice,” hosted by the World Council of Churches Ecumenical Disability Advocates Network was held 12 November, bringing an exploration of how churches can advance de-colonial approaches to disability theology to foster collaboration for justice and inclusion. WCC  12 November 2025 Keynote speaker Conrad Harris, executive director of Jamaica Society For the Blind, began by acknowledging that religious organizations worldwide have served as vital sources of care and protection for persons with disabilities. “It is evident that religious organizations have made considerable contributions to enhancing the lives of persons with disabilities,” he said. “Such initiatives are often rooted in theological teachings that emphasize care for the poor. afflicted, and downtrodden.” But, he asked, what does it signify if your church lacks representation from individuals with disabilities?  “What are some of the actionable steps churches can take to promote the inclusion of persons with disabilities?’ he asked.  Discussions in the webinar proceeded to explore that very question.  Anjeline Okola, programme coordinator of the Ecumenical Disability Advocates Network, offered an overview of emerging platforms for dialogue among churches, organizations of persons with disabilities, theological institutions, and development partners on advancing inclusive and de-colonial approaches to disability rights and theology. A Anggiasari Puji Ar, technical expert, disability inclusion, gender, and communication, spoke from the perspective of the Asian context. “Across Asia, people with disabilities are still too often seen though the lens of charity—as those who need help, not as those who have something vital to offer,” she said. “The problem is not ability. It is attitude.” Alexandra Meneses Andrade, a psychologist, spoke from the. Latin American perspective. “The struggle for the rights of persons with disabilities has been historically a struggle for visibility, dignity, and justice,” she said. “The way we understand disability still continues to be deeply conditioned by the culture, religious, and colonial context. In the Global South, where structural inequalities are intertwined with the colonial heritage and traditional religious narratives, there the need arises to rethink disability theology from a de-colonial perspective that recovers the voices and experience of those with disabilities.” Rev. Mary Chipoka, from the Reformed Church in Zimbabwe, spoke about promoting disability rights in Africa, where the church is a pillar in many societies.  “Because of this influence, the church has a unique, powerful role to play championing the rights if persons with disabilities,” she said. “From Genesis, we learn that every person is created in the image of God. Therefore, promoting disability rights is not charity—it is discipleship, it is justice, it is faith, it is action.” Following an interactive question-and-answer session, the webinar ended with a call to action, “Nothing about us without us.” The call centers on engaging in lived experiences and integrating Indigenous knowledge systems. Okola underscored why conversations around de-colonization and disabilities are so important.  “We know very well that churches play a very special role in society, and so by equipping our churches to be able to look at this from a lens of decolonization is going to help us open up conversations, to have the lived experience taken up as a critical area of study and to ask: where is my place as a person of disability in this dominant theology?” she said. “I look forward to more interaction between churches and persons with disabilities.” Learn more about this event Ecumenical Disability Advocates Network (EDAN) 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