"What inspires you the most?"

The World Day of Prayer International Committee Chairperson, Corinna Harbig, attended the World Council of Churches (WCC) Central Committee Meeting in Trondheim, Norway from June 22-28, 2016. The Central Committee serves as the chief governing body of the WCC until the next assembly, and is responsible for carrying out the policies adopted by the Assembly.

Besides the WCC’s usual focus on topics such as finances, nominations, public statements, and reports, much attention was given to the theme “Pilgrimage: Discerning Landscapes Together.” The Plenary discussed the “Pilgrimage for justice and peace” in four topics: Unity, the Middle East, Religion and violence, and Child Rights.

According to Corinna Harbig, “the central committee heard moving testimonies and alerting numbers from all regions of the world concerning unjust life conditions.  Women and children, people with disabilities, indigenous and ageing people are the most vulnerable to climate change, war, violence and abuse, persecution, human trafficking, and poverty. But, encouraging was also the testimonies of churches and faith based organizations who are engaged in actions for justice and peace.”

The women’s meeting was a special moment for the WDPIC chairperson. Some of the issues discussed have been on WDP's agenda as they are lifted up each year by a different focus country in the worship service. Still, they continue to appeal to us for prayer and actions:

• We need our churches to be a safe space for women to share experiences of violence and abuse in order to overcome it.
• We need to care for children and nurture the leadership of young people.
• We have to educate the new generations about HIV and AIDS, and continue raising awareness to eliminate the stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV and AIDS.
• We should engage our churches, parishes, families and schools in the pilgrimage for gender justice.
• We should keep the memory and share the history of our ecumenical foremothers to inspire the young women’s generation.
• We need to share women’s theological perspectives and encourage each other in our sisterhood for gender justice.

To conclude, Corinna reaffirms that “we, as World Day of Prayer women, are surely together with WCC on this pilgrimage for justice and peace!”

Corinna interviewed a few leaders at the WCC Central Committee Meeting with a simple and meaningful question: “What has inspired you the most in this experience?” Please, listen to their inspirational responses below:

Dr.  Fulata Lusungu Moyo
Programme Executive for Women in Church and Society at the World Council of Churches

Prof. Dimitra Koukoura
Member of the Ecumenical Patriarchate

Ms. Necta Rocas Montes
General Secretary of the World Student Christian Federation (WSCF)

Rev. Martina Viktorie Kopecka
Member of the Czechoslovak Hussite Church

Ms. Ingrid Mortensen Bjornstad
Steward at the WCC
​Member of the Church of Norway