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Bishop Busi Suneel Bhanu, a delegate from the Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church (India), calls the LWF commitment to the liberation and restoration of the dignity of Dalits an “historic moment.” © LWF/J. Latva-Hakuni

27.07.2010

Assembly Resolutions

Assembly denounces human trafficking

Resolution calls for public opposition to “commercial exploitation of human beings”

STUTTGART, Germany, 26 July 2010 – The Eleventh Assembly of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) adopted a resolution here today denouncing the degrading practice of human trafficking. It called for the communion to provide leadership through preaching, teaching and other forms of “public witness” that clearly opposes “the commercial exploitation of human beings.”

The LWF and its member churches should also support and provide comprehensive sex education programs which empower women and men to take responsibility for their bodies and sexuality, the resolution said.

Furthermore, the communion should counter the negative devaluation of female bodies by developing resources and materials in local languages. The media’s commercialization of the human body, especially the bodies of women and children, was denounced in the resolution.

The Assembly also said that the communion should seek to construct “partnerships and cooperation” between religious and other agencies which are working for legislation that protects those freed from human trafficking and which are playing roles in bringing about “cultural transformation and the elimination of trafficking.”

 

LWF speaks up for Dalits

Assembly commits to advocate for 250 million Dalits worldwide

STUTTGART, Germany, 26 July 2010 – Delegates to the Eleventh Assembly of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) have committed the communion to make the liberation and restoration of the dignity of Dalits a priority in its mission, action and testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Formerly known as “untouchables,” Dalits are oppressed and discriminated against in India, Nepal and other regions in south-east Asia.

Reference was made to the vote taken on this issue in July 2003, during the last LWF Assembly in Winnipeg, Canada.

Assembly urges global reduction in military spending

LWF calls member churches to participate in Global Priorities Campaign

STUTTGART, Germany, 26 July 2010 – The Eleventh Assembly of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) adopted today a resolution calling on member churches to assist in the global reduction of military spending, and to increase spending to meet human needs through participation in the Global Priorities Campaign.

The resolution commends “the bold leadership shown by the Global Priorities Campaign” and calls on member churches of the LWF to co-sponsor and otherwise assist the campaign efforts.

The Global Priorities Campaign is a new international, inter-religious initiative. “Though our beliefs and traditions may differ,” states the campaign’s website, it brings together shared common values and commitments to justice, peace and human security. The Global Priorities Campaign promotes human security worldwide. It advocates “with all nations to increase the proportion of their resources used to meet human needs by means that include reducing military spending.”

To achieve this, the Global Priorities Campaign advocates: securing the common good of all people by reducing global military spending and redirecting resources to unmet human needs, particularly those of the most vulnerable and marginalized people in society, within the next ten years; securing the common good of all people through the development of new and innovative sources of revenue; and meeting human needs domestically and internationally by influencing budget priorities and creating greater equity in income and opportunities, including the fulfilment of internationally agreed development goals.

The resolution approved by the Assembly also calls on member churches to consider additional ways to sustain the efforts to the Global Priorities Campaign.

Lutherans commit to people’s right to food

Some starve while others eat too much

STUTTGART, Germany, 26 July 2010 – “Poverty has a woman’s face. We acknowledge daily the chasm that separates those who suffer from famine and deprivation, and those who consume too much. When we pray, we acknowledge that food is a gift from God, and ask that it continues to sustain our daily life,” said Ms Praxedis Bouwman, delegate from the Protestant Church in The Netherlands, and member of the Policy and Reference Committee. She presented the resolution on poverty and food justice to the Eleventh Assembly of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) today.

Delegates direct churches to seek food and economic justice for all

Churches should engage in advocacy campaigns with governments at all levels, the resolution said. These campaigns should challenge their actions, commitments and attitudes on food and economic justice as it relates to women and children and strengthen their response. Delegates also directed the LWF to help churches by sharing information and helping to form strategic partnerships in working on this issue.

Further, delegates told the LWF to work globally in order to alleviate poverty and see that people have the food that is their right. This would involve member churches working together with one another and with civil society, particularly on common acts towards long-term sustainable change. “We ask the LWF to assist in the information-sharing and for targeting of these strategic partnerships,” the resolution stated.

Action required on gender justice, food justice and human trafficking

“Overall, we call for the raising up of gender justice in the church and society, food and economic justice, and the struggle against human trafficking from this point onwards, and particularly during the 2017 Reformation commemorations as a sign of the ongoing reformation we are called to today,” the resolution continued.

Assembly addresses gender, generational and laity/clergy balance

Member churches asked to adopt similar measures

STUTTGART, Germany, 27 July 2010 – The Eleventh Assembly of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) has adopted a resolution detailing “principles of inclusive representation” and has called on member churches to adopt similar measures to ensure full participation in their respective contexts.

The motion addresses gender, generational and laity/clergy balance among the LWF Assembly, Council, offices and all other committees and taskforces, including all regional levels. The motion calls for these groups to be comprised of: at least 40 percent women and at least 40 percent men (including among youth representatives); at least 20 percent young people under the age of 30 at the time of the first meeting of the body to which they have been appointed to; and at least 40 percent lay persons.

“The current quota system has proven to be an important tool that enables participation of women in all decision-making bodies, bringing the diversity which enriches our communion,” noted the motion.

Furthermore, it called on the General Secretary to undertake an evaluation of the quota system since its introduction; review commitment to, and implementation of, the quota system across all groups; report on the quota system to the LWF Council about the implementation of the principles of inclusive representation by the LWF as well as the member churches.

The LWF has a long history of including women and young people in its work and structures. In 1984, landmark decisions on the participation of women and lay persons were made by the Seventh Assembly at Budapest, Hungary. Twenty-six years after implementing the Budapest resolutions, further clarifications were needed, said Ms Praxedis Bouwman, delegate from the Protestant Church in The Netherlands, and member of the Policy and Reference Committee. (276 words)

Pain of Exclusion Means Suffering and Loss for Whole Church

Delegates re-commit to full participation of women in the life of the church

STUTTGART, Germany, 27 July 2010 – Delegates of the Eleventh Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Assembly urged member churches to re-commit to “genuine, practical and effective implementation” of LWF policies and decision regarding the full participation of women in the life of the church – and of the LWF communion – as well as in society.

Delegates called on the LWF member churches to establish appropriate legislation and regulatory policies to enable and ensure the participation of women in ordained and lay leadership positions, and opportunities for them to pursue theological education.

They also asked churches that currently do not ordain women to prayerfully consider the effect that inaction and refusal on this matter has on those who are precluded from exercising their God-given calling because they are women. “The pain of this exclusion and the loss of their gifts mean suffering and loss for the whole church,” says the declaration.

Support of women leaders, lay and ordained, and particularly women bishops and presidents, as vital members of the communion was called for in the resolution. Delegates asked for “a clear action plan for the development of contextualized gender policies that may be implemented on all levels in the member churches,” and which would be mandatory for the LWF Secretariat. The LWF Council was called on to develop and approve such a guiding process.

Furthermore, the LWF Council should take the topic of gender justice as a continuous point on the agenda. The delegates called on the member churches and the LWF Secretariat to include gender analyses, as biblical and theological tools, in all aspects of the life of member churches in the communion, including diaconal and advocacy work.

The Assembly also called for the LWF and its member churches to take a clear stand against domestic violence, "acknowledging every person’s right to feel safe and respectfully treated, also when they are in their own homes". (307 words)

Delegates Call for Further Reduction of Carbon Footprint

Assembly adopts full environmental policy

STUTTGART, Germany, 27 July 2010 – Delegates at the Eleventh Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Assembly adopted on 26 July a full environmental policy for its work and meetings.

The policy incorporates measures already taken regarding the reduction of the carbon footprint of the LWF. Presently the LWF has a C02 emission compensation system in place and has worked to reduce the number of printed documents.

Delegates also called on the LWF to prepare for certification under an international eco-certification system and audit scheme by 2012. It was recommended that the LWF consider the experiences of the German Evangelical Kirchentag “in the environmentally-friendly planning” of future meetings and assemblies. (102 words)

Assembly Calls for Greater Transparency in Mining Industry

Member churches called to advocate for fairer distribution of resources, support fight against corruption

STUTTGART, Germany, 27 July 2010 – Delegates of the Eleventh Assembly of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) have adopted a resolution calling for greater transparency in the mining industry and a fair distribution of resources, and to support the fight against corruption.

In passing the resolution, the Assembly called on member churches to strengthen and widen their advocacy work and demand from mining and processing industries more accountability and corporate social responsibility.

The LWF General Secretary was asked to encourage and support member churches to seek in their respective countries legislation that secures public income from natural resources, good environment standards, the public participation of stakeholders and fair distribution of resources

Furthermore, the resolution asked member churches to support a fair democratic and transparent global finance system and new international accounting standards, in which profits, expenditure, taxes, fees and company grants are made public in order to avoid price-fixing and tax evasion.

The LWF should support the further development of specialist knowledge in the areas of resources and financing in the member churches, so that their advocacy role for transparency and accountability about income and national resources can be strengthened, the resolution said. (187 words)

Assembly Urges Inclusion of Socially Disadvantaged Groups

Social and educational programs recommended

STUTTGART, Germany, 27 July 2010 – Delegates at the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Eleventh Assembly today asked the LWF to consider as a priority the inclusion of socially disadvantaged groups and ethnic minorities in the society and church.

The resolution specifically mentioned Roma people, a minority group in Central Eastern Europe whose members suffer from food insecurity, lack of resources, unsupportive structures and marginalization. “Social tensions resulting from this situation have the potential to destabilize the whole continent,” noted the motion’s backgrounder.

While ministry among Roma people has already been established, it was felt that more effort is needed if the problem is to be effectively addressed.

The Assembly recommended that the LWF initiate social and educational programs would be aimed at the development and facilitation of such groups at the regional level. (127 words)

LWF Speaks Out Against Illegal and Illegitimate Debts

Member churches urged to assume their ethical guidance role on foreign debt and economic governance

STUTTGART, Germany, 27 July 2010 – Member churches of the Lutheran Communion were urged to promote “mechanisms to help expose and obtain the annulment of all illegal or illegitimate debts” of developing countries, and to advocate for a “new international financial architecture” that favours justice, human rights and the environment.

In a public statement adopted by the Eleventh Assembly of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in Stuttgart today, delegates addressed the issue of illegitimate debt, that is, debts accumulated by developing countries to international creditors, often in times of dictatorships or when financial organizations considered only profits.

For over three decades the servicing of developing countries’ external debts has forced millions of people into poverty by reducing their access to food and opportunity.

The LWF Assembly urged its member churches to assume with “courage and decision” their role in giving “ethical and moral guidance” on issues such as foreign debt and economic governance. They should challenge governments and public and private lenders “to accept and implement the principle of shared responsibility.”

According to the public statement on “Illegitimate debt and the international financial crisis” adopted by the LWF Assembly, the civil society has an “indispensable” role in “mobilizing political will and in the proposal and supporting of legal interventions” related to the issue.

The 145 LWF member churches were urged to promote the “request for an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice about debt and its regulatory framework in international law.”

Regarding the current financial crisis, the members of the communion were invited to incorporate “reflection and analysis” on its effects and causes.

The LWF Assembly takes place in Stuttgart, Germany, 20-27 July. The event gathered about 1,000 participants from all over the world, including some 400 delegates of member churches. The Assembly theme is “Give Us Today Our Daily Bread.” (297 words)

 

Lutherans Commit to Actions to Protect Globe

“Window of opportunity” for climate change is closing

STUTTGART, Germany, 27 July 2010 – The Eleventh Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Assembly took action today to reduce the impacts of climate change. Delegates asked the LWF General Secretary, member churches and LWF country programs to work together to address the effects of climate change, alleviate its impact on those most vulnerable, and to elevate the perspectives of indigenous people on environmental ethics.

The motion recognized the “diminishing window of opportunity” for such action. It also acknowledged the “grave impacts on food security” witnessed daily by the LWF and its members churches.

Expressing regret at the failure of the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference in December 2009 to establish a fair, equitable and legally-binding and verifiable agreement to succeed the Kyoto Protocol, Assembly delegates called on the international community to achieve such an agreement at the 2010 UN Climate Change in Mexico later this year. (138 words)

LWF Reaffirms Commitments to Indigenous Peoples

Secretariat and member churches asked to follow up on supporting actions

STUTTGART, Germany, 27 July 2010 – The Lutheran World Federation’s (LWF) Eleventh Assembly took action today to reaffirm the commitments made to the indigenous peoples at the Tenth Assembly in 2003 and the LWF’s consultation on indigenous people in Norway in September 2006. Delegates agreed to ask the Secretariat and member churches to follow up on these proposals.

“A great majority of indigenous people live in ancestral lands, mostly rural, but a series of factors – such as poverty, soil degradation, colonization and the interests of national and international companies – are resulting in the loss of their lands, languages and traditions and their right to a dignified life,” notes the motion’s backgrounder.

With the adoption of a resolution on indigenous people, the 2003 Assembly of the LWF had recognized the contribution of native peoples. Following a consultation in Karasjok, Norway, in September 2006, which met under the theme, “An Indigenous Communion,” a series of supporting actions to be developed in the coming years was adopted. (158 words)

LWF Reaffirms Advocacy Work for People with Disabilities

“Not only a matter of theology, but also human rights”

STUTTGART, Germany, 27 July 2010 – The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) today pledged to reaffirm its advocacy work for the inclusion, participation and involvement of persons with disabilities.

In a motion approved at the Eleventh Assembly, delegates called on the LWF to strengthen its work in this area through a renewed commitment to the cooperation with the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the Ecumenical Disabilities Advocates Network (EDAN).

“True fellowship, both in society and church, consists of all kinds of people,” noted the background information. “This is not only a matter of theology, but also human rights.” (92 words)

LWF to Consider Development of Online Resource Centre

Global sharing of member resources helpful

STUTTGART, Germany, 27 July 2010 – The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) will consider the development of a virtual resource centre or bank, accessible to all web-users through the internet, following the adoption of a resolution at its Eleventh Assembly today.

The LWF has long been committed to sharing resources, talents and abilities to assist and empower member churches all over the world, the backgrounder said. The virtual resource centre would further assist in this area.

“Many churches have educational materials, which by sharing them with one another, can be of inspiration and thus be helpful for others,” notes the resolution. (94 words)

 

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