The International Ecumenical Peace Convocation (IEPC) will be a "harvest festival" celebrating the achievements of the Decade to Overcome Violence which began in 2001. At the same time it encourages individuals and churches to renew their commitment to nonviolence, peace and justice.

The World Council of Churches has been following with careful attention the social unrest that has taken place during the month of May in Kingston, Jamaica. The situation was carefully evaluated based on discussions with church leaders and in consultation with WCC Central Committee member Rev. Dr Paul Gardner, President of the Jamaica Council of Churches, one of the IEPC co-hosts along with the Caribbean Conference of Churches. Gardner is deeply involved in the local IEPC planning committee. The WCC is thus assured that there is no need to alter plans for the IEPC to take place at the University of the West Indies, a secure and protected venue. The hosts of the event very much count on the presence of the IEPC participants to bring a powerful testimony of solidarity for a culture of peace as well as their support, enthusiasm and momentum for local peace groups.

The IEPC aims at witnessing to the Peace of God as a gift and responsibility of the oikumene. It seeks to assess and strengthen the church's position on peace, provide opportunities for networking and deepen our common commitment to processes of reconciliation and peace.

Goals:

• affirm what we can say together
• identify topics requiring further discussion
• recommend fruitful examples and promising initiatives
• initiate practical services for committed groups