The MECC Communication and Public Relations Department on a learning journey to the World Council of Churches in Geneva
Together we pray, we walk towards peace and build ecumenical bridges between East and West
As an advanced step to strengthen the cooperation and deepen the coordination and communication between the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) and the World Council of Churches (WCC) on many levels, MECC Communication and Public Relations Department and Archives team visited WCC Communications Department at the Ecumenical Center in Switzerland - Geneva.
Within the strategic partnership with the World Council of Churches, this visit took place from 22 till 28 February 2020, at the invitation of the Communications Department’s Director Marianne Ejdersten. During this training, MECC team have participated in many capacity-building sessions in the ecumenical and communication fields.
At the beginning of the journey, Rev. Dr Olav Tveit, WCC Secretary General, has warmly welcomed MECC team during a dinner meeting at Chateau de Bossey. The historical ties between the two councils and the ecumenical heritage they are both entrusted with, were discussed.
The training visit started with a tour at the WCC headquarters and its different departments in Geneva. Then, the delegation participated in a daily training program that included diversified sessions about the World Council of Churches’ history, programs and activities, as well as its ecumenical and media work and relations. In addition, these sessions focused on how to set an action plan for an activity or program, on the role of the Archives team, and on developed work methods adopted in this department.
Moreover, a session was also dedicated to the Middle East Council of Churches where Huguette Salameh, MECC Communication and Public Relations Department’s Director, got the chance to present the role of the department and its strategies.
It is worth noting that the visit was characterized by remarkable human communication and professional and technical exchange, which reflect both councils’ themes. We walk, pray, and work together to promote the ecumenical spirit and build bridges between our Churches in the East and the West.