New global impetus for justice needed after UN summit
"The outcomes of the UN world summit, the largest gathering of heads of state in history, fall far short of the vision and the expectations of churches and people during this critical period in world history," said World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia, speaking on the eve of the International Day of Prayer for Peace, 21 September.
"The results of the summit reveal that member states have failed to live up to commitments made in the areas of poverty reduction and disarmament, both fundamental areas affecting the lives of millions of people worldwide. Poverty now needs to be addressed without the strong commitment of UN member states to deliver. Peace and security must be built without clear support for disarmament. The renewal and strengthening of the United Nations must now continue without a substantial consensus," said the WCC general secretary.
"The states which have shown their inability to respond to the urgent issues of the day must bear the burden of responsibility for this situation, and for the failure to respond to the needs of the world's poorest and, in a world growing in interdependence, also to their own security concerns," commented Kobia.
"Our vision as churches is that of a world in which the God-given life of each human person is protected, in which all peoples can live in peace with justice, a world in which poverty is no longer tolerated. Since its creation, the WCC has supported and accompanied the development of the UN as a unique multilateral instrument of global development and security," continued Kobia.
"We therefore welcome the inclusion and endorsement of the principle of the responsibility to protect civilians from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity. A new global impetus for justice is now required from governments and civil society, to live up to their responsibilities, and to work together for a better and safer place for all."
"The International Day of Prayer for Peace which we mark on 21 September is a manifestation of the essential commitment of churches to hope, healing and reconciliation in a world which is profoundly divided and fearful of its own future," said Kobia. The International Day of Prayer for Peace was initiated by the World Council of Churches (WCC) in support of the United Nations' International Day of Peace, following a meeting with UN secretary general Kofi Annan in 2004.
Additional information about the International Day of Prayer for Peace is available in the web site of the Decade to Overcome violence:
www.overcomingviolence.org - [Auf Deutsch] - [En français] - [En español]
See also our previous press releases about the UN reform:
- April 21st: www2.wcc-coe.org/pressreleasesen.nsf/index/pr-05-15.html
- September 7th: www2.wcc-coe.org/pressreleasesen.nsf/index/pr-05-51.html
[Auf Deutsch] - [En français] - [En español]
For more information about the WCC UN liaison office:
www.wcc-coe.org/wcc/what/international/unliaison.html
