WCC NEWS: Youth explore the role of Christianity in human rights

During a workshop entitled “Human rights: a Christian duty” held 28 November, young people deepened their understanding of how advocacy rooted in faith can influence national and international processes such as the UN Universal Periodic Review, UN treaty body reviews, and Sustainable Development Goal voluntary national reviews. Image: WCC 04 December 2025 The workshop drew young people ages 20–30 from ecumenical backgrounds who are engaged in justice, peace, and human rights work, including those affiliated with churches, ecumenical organizations, and Christian student movements. Through Bible reflection, interactive discussions, and hands-on exercises, participants learned to develop submissions and statements to civil society and review bodies, while fostering interfaith solidarity and peer learning. The training also introduced participants to tools for effective advocacy, from mapping national human rights contexts to drafting action plans and letters aligned with UN review mechanisms. The initiative marked the beginning of a Human Rights Ecumenical Youth Hub, a global platform for continued learning, collaboration, and solidarity among faith-based youth advocates. Image: WCC Jennifer Philpot-Nissen, World Council of Churches (WCC) programme executive for Human Rights and Disarmament, discussed the historical role of Christianity in shaping the modern human rights system. “The origins of the contemporary human rights system are traced to the aftermath of World War II, where the devastation and use of atomic weapons led to global calls for limits on government actions against civilians,” she explained. She also mentioned ongoing work with churches in the Pacific to address the health impacts of nuclear testing. Abigayle Bolado, Youth Engagement programme executive, reflected that, just as Jesus walked alongside the outcasts and marginalized, young people will follow those footsteps.  “We feel better equipped with the skills to raise our voices in ways that transform systems and uphold the God-given dignity of every person,” she said. Human rights are also in the spotlight in the context of the 16 Days Against Gender-Based Violence campaign, currently underway with the theme “Unite to End Digital Violence against All Women and Girls.” The workshop concluded with a prayer and group photo, with participants encouraged to continue the conversation in a planned series of webinars next year. 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