Preparing for the Thirteenth Assembly in Krakow 

This inaugural Pre-Assembly will provide the time and space for Assembly Delegates who are men to share their experiences of their Regional Pre-assemblies, explore how they resonate with the theme “One Body, One Spirit, One Hope”, and equip themselves for its practical application as they contribute to shaping societies in their contexts. 

The men’s Pre-Assembly will also consider how they can ensure a common understanding of the Gender Justice Policy with active involvement of men in the life of church and society, being cognizant of its impact. 

Emanating from these shared experiences, the men will develop and design a message reflective of the pulse of the discussion for presentation to the Thirteenth Assembly. 

The Men’s Pre-Assembly is a vital new initiative that will further nurture our commitment in engaging the men of our Lutheran Communion, in inspiring new ways. 

Strengthening youth leadership in global and local peacebuilding 

Lutheran youth gather from around the globe to build peace this Advent season. 

Organized by LWF Youth, this will be the fourth peacebuilding training for youth since the LWF Peace Messengers program was established in 2017. The second to be organized this year, it is part of the Global Young Reformers Network’s focus on 2022 as the Year of Peace. 

The training will pay attention to the intersection between peacebuilding and LWF Youth priorities and thematic areas: equity, education, revival of churches, climate justice, and gender justice. In partnership with the host Lutheran Church of Rwanda, the training will also incorporate contextual learning from peacebuilders in Rwanda.  

As follow up, each participant will be expected to set up and lead a small-scale peacebuilding and youth leadership project in their own church, supported by the LWF. 

#YearofPeace22 

Online workshop series for LWF delegates

In the run-up to the UN Climate Change Conference COP27, LWF strengthens its delegates' capacity for climate action and advocacy with several online workshops.

They form part of a learning process that begins before the conference, analyzes the proceedings during COP27, and evaluates its outcomes.

Topics of the preparatory workshops include the Paris Agreement and its current implementation status, an outlook on the agenda and priorities of COP27, the main policy demands and talking points of LWF for COP27, and how LWF delegates can engage in negotiations.

Globally advocating for climate justice

LWF advocates for climate justice with a strong focus on implementing the Paris Agreement, which aims to limit global warming to below 1,5 degrees Celsius.

Globally, climate change is a reality, severely affecting the lives and livelihoods of people in many countries. The full and effective enjoyment of human rights is often negatively affected; vulnerable groups and biodiversity are at risk.

The LWF delegation at the 27th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP27) brings together experienced climate leaders who, together with a youth delegation, advocate for the voiceless from a faith perspective, along with ecumenical and interfaith partners at online and in-person meetings.

• UN COP27 website

You are invited to join the LWF International Youth Day prayer service led by Global Young Reformers 12 August 2022 on Facebook LIVE. We will pray for the world, the church, its youth leaders, world peace and all of creation with materials written by LWF Youth. Following the service, these materials will be available for use by LWF Member Churches.  

Prayers will be in the many languages of our LWF Member Churches and translated into English during the service. Attend the prayer service at this link.

Attendees can register here for a reminder when the event goes live.

Are you ready to become a climate justice hero?

The LWF "Journey to Climate Justice" is open again for your registration.

On 25 October, a group of more than 200 young people from all around the world played an exciting online game together in order to learn and act for climate justice. The response was so positive that we decided to open the social online learning game again - at the same time, the United Nations meet for their climate change summit (COP19) in Warsaw, Poland. Seven Young LWF delegates will be at this UN conference and also meet you online.

You can travel the world virtually, learn about climate justice through video presentations and earn points by responding to quizzes and to discuss with others.

You will climb the ladder of knowledge, collaboration and ideas to become a climate hero.

Starting and ending times are GTM+1.

Event Languages | English, Spanish

More About the First Game

Join this online game and help the LWF delegation prepare for 19th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change– otherwise known as COP19.

Play the game and

• Learn about climate justice
• Get ready to take action in your own context
• Get to know participants from around the world
• Meet climate justice activists and experts
• Find out more about climate justice initiatives and the climate change crisis
• Compete with other players through quizzes on climate-related questions
• Gain experience in climate justice advocacy
• Contribute ideas for the LWF COP19 delegation

One fast. One day. Every month.

The LWF is calling for a fast on the first day each month until December 2014, when the 20th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 20) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change will take place in Lima, Peru.

We fast in many different places and faith communities worldwide.

We fast for climate justice.

We fast in solidarity:

• With people around the world affected by climate change
• With the millions who have lost homes and livelihoods because of extreme weather events
• In remembrance of the many who have lost their lives

Fasting is a long-standing spiritual practice found in many religious traditions.

Join the Lutheran communion and an expanding network of individuals, groups and organizations in building a groundswell of support for actions that slow climate change.

Follow & support the campaign! #fastfortheclimate

Departments: Department for Mission and Development, Department for Theology and Public Witness

Programs: Capacity for Advocacy, International Affairs and Human Rights, Public Theology & Interreligious Relations

Partners Include: 18 Million Rising, 350.org, Avaaz, Climate Action Network, Climate Justice Network, Forecast the Facts, Friends of the Earth, Global Call for Climate Action, Move On, World Council of Churches

The aim of the training is to develop the advocacy capacity of LWF member churches in Africa on contemporary issues such as:

• land
• climate change
• the use of tools from the comprehensive agricultural program in Africa

The training targets diaconal workers and other key actors in the field of diakonia, including youth.

Department: Department for Mission and Development

Program: Capacity for Advocacy

Languages: English, with French translation

The Pre-Council Meeting enables women and young members and advisors of the LWF Council to share experiences and learn about developments in related programmatic areas.

The meeting also gives space for strategic planning so that gender and generational concerns feature in Council deliberations and, consequently, in the overall work of the LWF.

The Pre-Council Meeting in 2014 is focusing on:

• youth participation in the communion
• the project “Women in the On-going Reformation”
• implementation of the LWF Gender Justice Policy

Departments: Department for Mission and Development, Department for Theology and Public Witness

Programs: Women in Church and Society, Youth

The LWF delegation to Climate Summit 2014 is hosting a one-hour fasting vigil during the summit.

Join in reflection and prayer wherever you are!

Departments: Department for Mission and Development, Department for Theology and Public Witness

Programs: Capacity for Advocacy - Youth Advocacy, International Affairs and Human Rights