Date Posted: June 05, 2008.

Kingston, Jamaica will be the host city for the World Council of Churches’ (WCC’s) International Ecumenical Peace Convocation (IEPC) which takes place from May 4 to 11 in 2011. This decision came out of the WCC’s Central Committee meeting in Geneva on February 15, 2008.

Earlier this year, the Caribbean Conference of Churches (CCC), in partnership with the Jamaica Council of Churches (JCC), formally invited the WCC to host the IEPC in Kingston. The CCC and JCC, through their respective General Secretaries – Mr. Gerard Granado and Rev. Gary Harriott – extended a joint letter of invitation to WCC’s General Secretary, Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia.

The IEPC, which will meet under the theme “Glory to God and Peace on Earth”, aims at witnessing to the Peace of God as a gift and responsibility of the oikumene. Further, 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.

In advocating for Kingston to be the site for the IEPC, the two General Secretaries — Mr. Granado and Rev. Harriott — noted that: “The Caribbean has had a history of violence dating from the period of institutional slavery, into the colonial and post-colonial periods. Today, many of our Caribbean territories are significantly challenged by the increase in crime and violence. In particular, there is great concern regarding the number of young males who have become involved in such anti-social behaviour, as well as the number of families, schools and communities that have been affected. We have recognized that it will take a multi-sectoral approach to deal with this phenomenal challenge and that the church is a key player in such an initiative.”

Kingston, Jamaica was selected from several other potential sites including Nairobi, Kenya which was the other finalist.

The IEPC will be the culmination of the WCC's Decade to Overcome Violence (DOV) 2001-2010, which is a global movement focusing on strengthening existing efforts and networks for overcoming violence, as well as inspiring the creation of new ones. Rev. Dr Fernando Enns, Moderator of the DOV Reference Group, voiced his support for Kingston as the site for this major ecumenical peace event. “Kingston has been with the DOV since the very beginning," said Enns. He went on to note that Kingston was one of seven (7) cities in the “Peace to the City” campaign that preceded the DOV emphasis.

The main themes for the IEPC will be: Christian Peace-Theology and Christianity’s Violent Histories; Peace at Heart; Peace at Home; Peace in the Virtual World; Peace to the Streets; Peace on Earth is Peace with the Earth; Peace in the Market Place; Make Peace Not War

As a build up to this convocation, a series of expert consultations and related events on a variety of peace and reconciliation topics would be held worldwide. This consultative process allows for the widest possible participation. There are many entry points to the consultations which cover a wide spectrum of thematic and methodological approaches. Thus far, five (5) have taken place and eight (8) are planned for this year.

Additionally, an Ecumenical Declaration on Just Peace is being drafted with a view to its adoption at the IEPC. The declaration is not meant to be a consensus document but rather a public affirmation of witness that is theological and spiritual in character to affirm a united voice on various topics and initiate practical services for committed groups.

To move the process forward, the IEPC’s Local Planning Committee had initial meetings in Kingston from May 13-16, 2008. Present were staff of the WCC, CCC and JCC together with representatives from Jamaica’s Mona Campus of the University of the West Indies (UWI).

It is estimated that over 2,000 persons will participate in the IEPC.

During the period May 13-16, 2008, the Local Planning Committee for the International Ecumenical Peace Convocation (IEPC) had initial meetings in Kingston, Jamaica, the site chosen for the convocation which will take place in 2011.  In photo, World Council of Churches (WCC), Caribbean Conference of Churches (CCC) and Jamaica Council of Churches (JCC) staff are seen with the Principal of Jamaica’s Mona Campus of the University of the West Indies (UWI), Professor Gordon Shirley.
Back row from left are: UWI’s Professor Gordon Shirley; CCC's General Secretary, Mr. Gerard Granado; and WCC's Programme Executive for Spirituality, Latin America and the Caribbean Rev. Dr. Carlos Ham and its Coordinator, Decade to Overcome Violence, Rev. Hansulrich Gerber. Front row from left are: CCC's Senior Programme Officer, Rev. Livingstone Malcolm and JCC's General Secretary, Rev. Gary Harriott