“Communication for Social Justice in a Digital Age”
An International Symposium Organized by the World Council of Churches and World Association for Christian Communication
Photo: Albin Hillert/ World Council of Churches
The World Council of Churches and World Association for Christian Communication organized an international online symposium entitled “Communication for Social Justice in a Digital Age”, between 13 and 15 September 2021, focusing on the impact of digital transformation on communities and societies.
The symposium was also co-organized by a group of international organizations and are Bread for the World, Evangelical Church in Germany, EMW Association of Protestant Churches and Missions in Germany, and World Student Christian Federation.
The symposium brought together experts and specialists from various fields and countries of the world, and included a presentation of research papers and studies from different regions and marginalized communities, which were specifically prepared for discussion in the symposium. In addition to interventions during which the symposium’s subject was discussed on economic and political trends, and ethical and theological reflection, as a contribution to the WCC 11th Assembly in September 2022.
The symposium also explored the challenges of digital communication with a social justice lens, and identified opportunities for concerted and collaborative actions with faith communities and among faith, civil society, academic, media and technological organizations.
The Middle East Council of Churches took the initiative to translate the draft of the symposium’s manifesto into Arabic, to be added with the English, French, Spanish and Dutch versions. The draft offers a view of the current global context, a look at issues and challenges, principles to promote socially just communication and a call for a “transformative movement” founded on human rights, human dignity, and democratic principles.