The Summit of the Future was touted as a “once-in-a-generation” opportunity to forge a “Pact for the Future,” or a new international consensus on what the future should look like, and how this can happen. This is envisaged to result in profound changes in the way societies, institutions, and individuals relate with each other.
After submitting comments in February on the zero draft UN “Pact for the Future,” the World Council of Churches represented an array of side events in conjunction with the “Summit for the Future: Multilateral Solutions for a Better Tomorrow,” co-facilitated by Germany and Namibia.
The World Council of Churches is an ecumenical partner supported by the Interdenominational Cooperation Fund apportionment, which enables United Methodists to share a presence and a voice in the activities of several national and worldwide ecumenical organizations.
The ultimate aim was to adopt an ambitious, concise, action-oriented Pact for the Future.
"This year, we experience world leaders coming together to address the changing times we live in", said Dr Ryan Smith, WCC representative to the UN in New York. "We are working to bring the voice of our member churches to these spaces and remind the governments of the important role the faith community plays in peace, in environment and in commitment to the future for all God's children," added Smith.
The WCC is organizing events in conjunction with the summit, as well as the 79th session of the UN General Assembly.
On 20 September, the WCC attended a “Faith-based Solutions ImPACT Coalition Summit of the Future Action Days,” a side event co-sponsored by UNEP and the UN Multi-faith Advisory Council which is a coalition advocating for the inclusion of faith-based language in common values across faiths in UN documents.
On 23 September, the WCC was represented at the 6th Annual Prayer Service for Children.
As world leaders gather for the UN General Assembly, the Summit of the Future, and other high-level meetings at the United Nations headquarters, it is crucial to recognize the stark reality: 783 million people are grappling with chronic hunger. Among them, children bear the brunt of this crisis.
In conjunction with this prayer service, over 5,000 religious leaders will be gathering in Seoul-Incheon, South Korea, to catalyze global church collaboration and bring nations together to shape a better world in 2050.
Children from Uganda and Myanmar will participate in person, representing the voices and prayers of children around the world.
On 24 September, a multi-faith reception marked the conclusion of the Summit of the Future. The purpose of the event was to provide perspectives on the conclusions of the Summit of the Future, and commitments for taking the Pact for the Future forward from key UN, government, and faith actors.
On 25 September, an event “Faith, Ethics and AI: Shaping a Future for Global Peace,” organized by the WCC among many other partners, helped participants understand and explore how religious communities are integrating theological perspectives alongside AI, and frame a pathway of shared analysis and understanding on the nexus of AI and religion.
On 26 September, an Interfaith HIV and AIDS Prayer Breakfast drew a sense of unity among civic and faith-based leaders. The gathering aimed at fostering partnerships between faith-based organizations, political leaders, and global health initiatives to sustain the global HIV response through 2030. Supported by the WCC, this event brings together diverse stakeholders to address the pediatric HIV agenda, renew commitments to UNAIDS and PEPFAR, and ensure that no child is born with or dies from HIV/AIDS.
World Council of Churches website
One of seven apportioned giving opportunities of The United Methodist Church, the Interdenominational Cooperation Fund enables United Methodists to share a presence and a voice in the activities of several national and worldwide ecumenical organizations. Please encourage your leaders and congregations to support the Interdenominational Cooperation Fund apportionment at 100 percent.
