Being (hu)man in a world of violence

Join us for the first in a series of three webinars working toward transformative masculinities and promoting gender justice in a post-pandemic world.  

The initiative, which aims to explore ways to engage men and boys in gender justice, is organized by The Lutheran World Federation, together with the World Communion of Reformed Churches, ACT Alliance and the South Africa-based Sonke Gender Justice network.

This first online discussion will encourage critical self-reflection and focus on masculinities in the church, which often perpetuate violence against women and men, restricting their experience of being fully human in mutual, caring, interdependent relationships.  

The webinar will include presentations, a question-and-answer session and small breakout groups to reflect and gather material for a second stage of the transformation process, planned for 2021.

This event comes at the beginning of the annual 16 Days of activism to end gender-based violence - see below for suggestions on how to be part of this global movement.

Zoom Registration

Language: English with Spanish translation

Related materials

16 Days 2020 campaign - Online Media Kit

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Webinar Transformative Masculinities 2 (UPDATE)

Read more 16 Days is a global campaign to raise awareness and act for an end to Sexual and Gender-Based Violence worldwide

16 Days of activism to end Sexual and Gender-Based Violence

Read more Join our third webinar engaging men and women in the urgent work of promoting gender justice and positive masculinities

Transforming Masculinity Webinar 3 (UPDATE)

Youth from around the globe are making inspiring strides toward advancing interreligious solidarity and cooperation amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Young leaders and youth-led organizations have taken an active role in ensuring communities receive accurate information about the virus while simultaneously striving to dispel harmful narratives, especially on virtual platforms. 

Thanks to their technological adeptness and growing interconnectedness, young people are uniquely placed to bring innovative approaches to understanding marginalization and violence in the society. Their participation in advancing interfaith solidarity is imperative.  

This interactive webinar will focus on the role of youth as agents of change. It will also encourage those engaged as peacemakers to evaluate how to increase youth capacity and participation.   

Speakers: 

• Mr Fernando Sihotang, The Lutheran World Federation National Committee, Indonesia. 
• Ms Kosar Mahmoodi, Muslim Youth Forum, Finland, 
• Ms Merylene Chitharai, Religions for Peace Youth Media Team, South Africa.

Moderators:  

• Ms Jessica Roland, Senior Specialist on Inclusive Peace, The Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers 
• Rev. Dr Sivin Kit, Program Executive for Public Theology and Interreligious Relations, The Lutheran World Federation.  

Organizers: 

• The Lutheran World Federation
• The Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers 
• World Council of Churches

Zoom Registration Link

Youtube Live-streaming

UPDATE

This event was updated from an event initially planned for 9 December 2020 from 15:30 to 17:30 (GTM+1).

Being (hu)man in a world of violence

Join us for the second in a series of three webinars working toward transformative masculinities and promoting gender justice in a post-pandemic world.  

The initiative, which aims to explore ways to engage men and boys in gender justice, is organized by The Lutheran World Federation, together with the World Communion of Reformed Churches, ACT Alliance and the South Africa-based Sonke Gender Justice network. 

This second online discussion will engage feminist experts to hear their views on masculinities in the church and discuss ways of empowering every person to be fully human in a world of mutual, caring, interdependent relationships.  

The webinar will include presentations, a question-and-answer session and small breakout groups to reflect and gather material for a second stage of the transformation process, planned for 2021. 

Zoom Registration

Language: English

Related materials

16 Days 2020 campaign - Online Media Kit

Related events

Read more Join the first in our series of webinars engaging men and women in the urgent work of promoting gender justice

Transforming Masculinity Webinar

Read more 16 Days is a global campaign to raise awareness and act for an end to Sexual and Gender-Based Violence worldwide

16 Days of activism to end Sexual and Gender-Based Violence

Read more Join our third webinar engaging men and women in the urgent work of promoting gender justice and positive masculinities

Transforming Masculinity Webinar 3 (UPDATE)

UPDATE

This event was updated from an event initially planned for 20 January 2021.

Being (hu)man in a world of violence

Join us for the third in a series of three webinars working towards transformative masculinities and promoting gender justice in a post-pandemic world.  

The initiative, which aims to explore ways to engage men and boys in gender justice, is organized by The Lutheran World Federation, together with the World Communion of Reformed Churches, ACT Alliance and the South Africa-based Sonke Gender Justice network.

This third online discussion will focus on positive masculinities to advance Gender Justice and building alliances between women and men. The conversation will feature Prof. Ezra Chitando from the University of Zimbabwe.

Zoom Registration

Language: English

Related materials

16 Days 2020 campaign - Online Media Kit

Related events

Read more Join the first in our series of webinars engaging men and women in the urgent work of promoting gender justice

Transforming Masculinity Webinar

Read more 16 Days is a global campaign to raise awareness and act for an end to Sexual and Gender-Based Violence worldwide

16 Days of activism to end Sexual and Gender-Based Violence

Read more Join the second in our series of webinars engaging men and women in the urgent work of promoting gender justice

Webinar Transformative Masculinities 2 (UPDATE)

Webinar on Women and Interfaith Engagement: Sharing lessons learnt during COVID-19 and beyond

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a profound and lasting impact on the health and wellbeing of the global community. Without warning, in the space of a few weeks, it dramatically altered the pattern of our daily lives, and powerfully exposed the vulnerability that all human beings share. 

This heightened awareness of our common vulnerability calls for new forms of solidarity that reach across national, cultural and religious boundaries. Over the past year, we have seen encouraging signs of people’s solidarity with their neighbors, especially the most needy, through volunteer groups, support networks and charitable activities. Yet the significant contribution and perspectives of women in interfaith engagement and interreligious collaboration to combat the consequences of the Coronavirus pandemic have rarely received sufficient attention. 

During World Interfaith Harmony Week, this webinar will bring Christian, Buddhist and Jewish voices to focus on the role of women as key actors in interfaith engagement, highlighting the urgency of sharing resources beyond the confines of our own religious communities.  

Opening Remarks:

• Rev. Dr Peniel Rajkumar, Program Coordinator - Interreligious Dialogue and Cooperation, World Council of Churches 

Speakers: 

• Rev. Dr Elina Hellqvist, Interim Director of Office for Global Mission , Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland
• Dr Gaya Gamhewage, Head of Learning & Capacity Development for WHO’s Health Emergencies Program, World Health Organization, Switzerland
• Dr Debbie Weissman, Former president of the International Council of Christians and Jews, Retired Jewish educator, Israel

Moderator:

• Rev. Dr Sivin Kit, Program Executive for Public Theology and Interreligious Relations, The Lutheran World Federation

Organizers: 

• The Lutheran World Federation
• Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland
• World Council of Churches

Register for the Zoom webinar

Event languages: English

Christian leaders and theologians cannot ignore the intensifying challenges facing the churches as they seek to make their voices heard in the public square. How are we responding to rising religious nationalism and populism, the digitalization of communications which impacts how public opinion is shaped (or manipulated), the politicization of religion by religious and political actors, the reality of gender-based violence and the threats posed by climate change?  In light of the Covid-19 pandemic, churches are also reflecting on appropriate responses to public health, government restrictions and guidelines for returning to the ‘new normal’.  

Although we celebrate women leaders who have risen up to face these challenges, the significant contribution and perspectives of women doing public theology and addressing a wide range of issues have rarely received sufficient attention. 

Join us in a conversation with women theologians from Europe, Africa, Asia, and Latin America as they reflect on their role and contribution to public theology and social ethics. 

Opening Remarks:

• Rev. Dr Angela Trejo Haager, Director and Professor in Feminist Biblical Hermeneutics, Augsburg Lutheran Seminary, Mexico

Speakers:

• Rev. Dr Eva Harasta, Theological Advisor to the Bishop, Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Austria
• Rev. Dr Hoyce Jacob Mbowe, Executive Director, Mindolo Ecumenical Foundation, Zambia
• Rev. Ngui Au Sze, Dean of the English General Council. the Basel Christian Church of Malaysia and Dean of Students, Sabah Theological Seminary

Moderator

• Rev. Dr Sivin Kit, Program Executive for Public Theology and Interreligious Relations, The Lutheran World Federation

Organizers: 

• The Lutheran World Federation
• Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Austria
• Seminario Luterano Augsburg, Mexico

Register for the Zoom webinar

NIFEA Webinar / UNFPII side-event on “Spirituality, Land, and Self-Determination"

In the context of the UN’s Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) taking place between 19-30 April, the webinar will reflect on how the confluence of the three “Cs” of capitalism, colonialism and Christianity has deepened the experience of exploitation, marginalization, and displacement for many Indigenous communities. Panelists will be asked to share their community understanding of wealth, equality, land, and spirituality while also addressing the importance of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC). In addition, panelists will explore their Indigenous perspectives on and contributions to building an Economy of Life, focusing on concepts of reparation and restoration, land as life, as well as alternative and holistic visions of prosperity and development that embrace all creation.

Opening blessing by:

• The Most Rev. Mark MacDonald, archbishop of the Anglican Church of Canada

Moderator:

• Rev Chebon Kernell, director of the Native American Comprehensive Plan of the United Methodist Church in the USA. He has actively engaged in the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and is a cultural practitioner and member of the Helvpe Ceremonial grounds.

Speakers:

• Marcus Briggs-Cloud, co-director of Ekvn-Yefolecv, an Indigenous ecovillage community in Weogufka, Alabama.
• Elvira Rumkabu, an Indigenous Papuan woman who has been working with Dewan Adat Papua (Papuan Customary Council/DAP), an Indigenous Peoples organization that represents and advocates for indigenous Papuan issues.
• Jocabed Solano, an Indigenous theologian and activist from the Gunadale nation in Panama.
• Rev Mari Valjakka, a Sámi priest in the Evangelical-Lutheran Church of Finland.
• Naomi Wolfe, Indigenous Theologies Project Officer at the University of Divinity and board member of NAIITS, an Indigenous Learning community.
• Rev Dr Ferdinand Anno, an indigenous pastor of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines who teaches theology and worship at Union Theological Seminary-Philippines.
• Inatoli Aye, an Indigenous woman from Nagaland in India, belonging to the Sumi tribe. She has degrees from Princeton Theological Seminary in the USA and Protestant Theological Seminary in the Netherlands and her work attempts to engage indigenous liberation with women’s emancipation.
• Evariste Ndikumana, a member of the Batwa community from Burundi. He has engaged with the United Nation Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights to promote the rights of Indigenous Peoples in Burundi.
• Jenne Pieter, pastor and assistant director of research and development at the Protestant Church in Maluku in Indonesia. She works with indigenous communities and is passionate about ecological justice.

Organizers:

• World Council of Churches
• World Communion of Reformed Churches
• Lutheran World Federation
• World Methodist Council
• Council for World Mission

Register for the Zoom webinar

Language: English

Potential for bridge building between Christian ecumenical work and other intrareligious dialogues

Modern societies are pluralistic in many senses, including religious. The three great monotheistic religions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam in particular often occur within the same countries and live together. In addition, there are differences between groups within the respective religions. Classical ecumenism in the Christian domain is concerned with denominational divisions and seeks to overcome them. But Judaism, Islam and Buddhism also have internal divisions that are often fought out in bitter quarrels, as in Christianity.

The seminar will examine how conflicts can be overcome in the coexistence of different currents within a religion and between different religions. Can bridges be built between Christian ecumenical work and other intrareligious dialogues, such as within Islam?

It is the first time the annual event will take place online due to the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

Institute for Ecumenical Research in Strasbourg - Application Information

Registration requirements: Candidates require church endorsement

Language: English

Deadline: 31 May 2021

Related content

Read more Annual course on interreligious dialogue will also be online (LWI)...

Strasbourg institute invites Lutheran pastors for online seminar on ecumenism

Webinar on “Addressing hostility and overcoming divisiveness in the public space”

The rising phenomenon of hate speech in social media is alarming. Many politicians and citizens disrupt civil discourse with dividing polemics. It is rare to hear calm and respectful discussions about social cohesion in the public space. News reports often focus on exclusionary religious opinions. But religious actors have the potential to contribute positively to the public media space.

During these times of evolving technologies and methods of communication, churches are called to be active voices for justice, peace and hope, especially among the most marginalized communities. What are the antidotes to the current hostile environment in the media space? Religious advocates for dialogue, reconciliation and hope can offer a constructive way forward.

Join speakers from Europe, North America, and Latin America as they reflect on ways to address hate speech and offer hope speech in its place. Hear from a variety of perspectives about lessons learned during this time of pandemic and polarization.

Opening Remarks:

• Jocelyn Fuller, Senior director of Strategic Communications, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Speakers:

• Philip Lee, General Secretary, The World Association for Christian Communication
• Klára Balicza, Coordinator at Department for Ecumenical and Foreign Relations, The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hungary
• Renato Valenga, Youth Leader, Evangelical Church of the Lutheran Confession in Brazil

Moderators:

• Pauline Mumia, Communication Officer: Theology and Publications Editor, The Lutheran World Federation
• Rev. Dr Sivin Kit, Program Executive for Public Theology and Interreligious Relations, The Lutheran World Federation

Closing remarks:

• Rev Arni Svanur Danielsson, Head of Communications, The Lutheran World Federation

Organizers:

• The Lutheran World Federation
• World Association of Christian Communication
• Evangelical Church of the Lutheran Confession in Brazil

Zoom registration

Event languages: English, with simultaneous translation into Spanish, and Portuguese

Intergenerational dialogue

We all have our own experiences of home, and reflecting on what ‘home’ means reminds us of personal memories and specific places.

As we look ahead to Season of Creation and the opportunity to explore our shared and common home of the Earth, we will first hear three women of different generations discuss together how they understand home and the way this is changed by different contexts and times.

Contributions to the webinar are made by:

• Rachel Mander (A Rocha)
• Cynthia Moe-Lobeda (Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary)
• Analisa Ramsahai (Global Catholic Climate Movement)
• Irene Sebastian (Green Anglicans of Kenya)
• Chad Rimmer (LWF)
• Christina Leaño (Global Catholic Climate Movement)
• Fr Ioan Sauca (World Council of Churches)

Livestreaming

Language: English