Preface

As the World Council of Churches embarks on an exciting new initiative to promote a culture of peace and nonviolence through the Decade to Overcome Violence: Churches Seeking Reconciliation and Peace (2001-2010), the second edition of this reference booklet outlines the most recent history and development of this significant venture.

In declaring the Decade to Overcome Violence, the World Council of Churches has called churches, ecumenical organizations and all people of goodwill to work together to overcome violence through peace and justice. This passionate, decade-long commitment emerged from the World Council of Churches’ Programme to Overcome Violence, and particularly the inspiration and energy of its global initiative, the Peace to the City Campaign, which highlighted grassroots peacebuilding efforts in seven cities around the world.

The second edition of this handbook outlines the evolution of the World Council of Churches’ agenda to overcome violence from 1994 to the present. It includes a collection of central documents that have framed the making of the Decade to Overcome Violence, outlining official recommendations and statements regarding the Programme to Overcome Violence, the Peace to the City Campaign and the basic architecture of the Decade.

From the time of its creation in 1948, the World Council of Churches has been committed to the pursuit of peace with justice. The churches’ decade to overcome violence is an affirmation of a renewed commitment to its ministry of peace and reconciliation. The statements and documents included in this reference booklet are meant to be the foundational guidelines for this bold step.