WCC NEWS: WCC communications in 2024: expanding messages of unity across the world

Communication from the World Council of Churches (WCC) in 2024, through storytelling via many channels, fostered unity in unprecedented ways across the world. From the largest global prayer gathering, to 2.3 million engagements on social media, to large numbers of young visitors both in-person and online, WCC communications connected with more people, in more ways than ever. Members of the Commission on Climate Justice and Sustainable Development of the World Council of Churches pictured in connection with a historical joint meeting of three commissions held in March 2024. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 23 January 2025 WCC news: what was most read?  During 2024, the WCC website attracted the interest of 1.6 million visitors worldwide, an 8% increase compared to 2023. The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in January was the week with highest number of visits (over 50,000) during the year. Photo: WCC With an average of 15 news articles published online per week, the WCC published more than 800 articles during the year - including news, feature stories, and interviews, many of them made available in the four working languages of the WCC. Stories were distributed to the media and news subscribers, as well as shared in the WCC social media channels.  Among the most-read WCC news stories during the year 2024 were the stories on the WCC stewards programme for 2025, Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Global Ecumenical Theological Institute, and the passing away of theologian Jürgen Moltmann, as well as on churches and religious sites destroyed in Ukraine due to the Russian invasion. Social media: exponential growth In 2024, the WCC continued to inspire, build digital bridges, and engage global audiences through social media channels, achieving over 3 million impressions and connecting with 2.3 million users. The shift toward short, dynamic audiovisual content was evident, with reels experiencing 87.6% growth. Key campaigns, including prayers for Armenia, Thursdays in Black, Tax the Super Rich, and coverage of the Triple COPs, captured on social media channels the essence of the WCC’s mission to promote justice and peace.  An example of a so-called social media card from September 2024, developed by the WCC to be shared by member churches and partners across an array of platforms. The year showcased on WCC channels the power of concise, values-driven storytelling, with tributes to theologian Jürgen Moltmann and messages of hope generating widespread engagement. Platforms like Instagram and LinkedIn experienced significant follower growth, highlighting the importance of visual storytelling and professional outreach. Strong media presence The WCC maintained a strong presence in global media throughout the year, with more than 5,000 mentions. Coverage predominantly focused on the WCC’s advocacy for peace in the Middle East and Ukraine, as well as its work on Faith and Order. This widespread media attention underscores the WCC's ongoing commitment to promoting justice, reconciliation, and unity within the global ecumenical community. Journals reach 55,000+ In 2024, the WCC published three issues of its journal The Ecumenical Review on the themes "Christ's Love (Re)moves Borders," with contributions from participants at the 2022 Global Ecumenical Theological Institute (GETI); "Reflections on Visible Unity,"; and "100 Years of Ecumenical Social Ethics and Action," to prepare for the 100th anniversary in 2025 of the Universal Christian Council on Life and Work in Stockholm.  Two issues of International Review of Mission were published: "Decolonial Discipleship," framing the ongoing struggle to redeem mission from its colonial possession and dismantle mission ideologies that justified this; and "Mission in the Context of Empire," looking to two commemorations in 2025: the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, and the 140th anniversary of the Conference of Berlin in which European powers discussed between themselves how to partition and exploit Africa.  An issue of Current Dialogue, on reconfiguring interfaith work, is in preparation.  The journals are published on behalf of the WCC by Wiley and also available in the Wiley Online Library. In 2024 there were more than 55,000 full text online views of articles from all these journals combined. Prophetic publications During 2024, the WCC continued to publish reports, brochures, and books on various WCC programmatic areas of interest to the fellowship. WCC publications can be downloaded for free.  A man reads one of the many WCC publications that journeyed across the globe in 2024. Photo: Gloria Charles/WCC WCC Publications coordinated 26 publications of different kinds, a number of which were translated. An international distribution agreement has been signed to ensure greater exposure and access to WCC publications. The first “Ecumenical Booktalks” video was published on YouTube to give behind-the-scenes information on publications. Promoting inclusivity The WCC Language Service improved inclusivity by providing sign language interpretation for meetings of the WCC governing bodies. The Language Service provided interpretation for ten online events, also in cooperation with the UN and other international partners. During 2024, the Language Service provided translations of nearly 300 documents and news stories. Alongside the official working languages, translations were also made into Greek, Arabic, Hebrew, Ukrainian, Russian, and Portuguese.  Array of visitors  In 2024, WCC welcomed over 700 visitors from different countries and regions—and visitors included an unprecedented number of young people. These groups visited both the Ecumenical Centre and the Ecumenical Institute at Bossey, with visits varying from half-day, full-day, and multi-day engagements. The visitors included representatives from both member and non-member churches, as well as leaders from various religious traditions. This diverse group included religious leaders, bishops, pastors, priests, and individuals from different Christian denominations, alongside representatives from other faiths. Additionally, the WCC hosted ambassadors, members of international organizations, students from universities and schools, confirmation groups, journalists, professors, theologians, laypeople, and individuals interested in the ecumenical movement. Some of the many groups of visitors received by the WCC in Geneva in 2024. Photo: WCC Newcomers—including students, church leaders, confirmation groups, and those interested in the work of the WCC—were offered introductory sessions. For many students visiting for the first time, these sessions provided a valuable introduction to the WCC’s mission, while some visits focused on leadership development or theological studies. Geneva Engage Geneva Engage recognized the WCC for 10 years of shaping, engaging, and connecting people.  The WCC has been a “pillar of the Geneva Engage Awards, consistently standing out as top contributors to digital diplomacy and global collaboration,” wrote Geneva Engage. The WCC joins prominent groups such as the International Committee of the Red Cross and World Health Organization in this top tier of groups who have spent a decade or more engaging and connecting people.  Side-event hosted by the WCC and supported by the Campaign to Stop Killer Robots, held at the United Nations in Geneva and online in August 2024. Photo: Ivars Kupcis/WCC The WCC was specifically recognized by Geneva Engage for “fostering global unity and interfaith dialogue with a strong digital presence.” See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 352 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland