The UN Climate talks have been put on hold. 

The Corona virus pandemic is a growing global concern that is affecting people, communities, countries, as well as various international processes and opportunities for multilateral cooperation. As the global spread of COVID-19 continues, there is an increasing need for the international community to confront COVID-19 while simultaneously tackling other time-bound global issues, such as climate change.

While the global climate talks are being delayed, poor and vulnerable people continue to depend on ambitious climate action, which has the potential to reduce the climate-related impacts threatening their lives and livelihoods.

“Despite the decision to postpone the climate talks, I urge all parties to make sure that a pause in the talks does not affect their commitment to increase ambition and to take climate action at the national level. The COVID-19 pandemic is re-emphasizing that for the sake of humanity, we cannot continue with business as usual,” says Rudelmar Bueno de Faria, ACT’s General Secretary.

“The Corona virus outbreak must be tackled immediately, and so must the climate emergency that we are facing. Dealing with two emergencies is difficult, but it must be done, global warming is already happening, and ACT members around the world are already feeling its severe impacts,” says Patiriciah Roy Akullo of the ACT Uganda Forum and Co-chair of ACT’s working group on Climate Justice.

The UN climate talks are currently at a critical phase. The Madrid summit of 2019 (COP25) was a disappointment, with much of the work left to be completed at the anticipated Bonn session in June this year which has now been postponed to October 2020. The next critical moment in global climate change governance is the climate summit which was scheduled to take place in Glasgow in November this year (COP26), however, it has also been postponed. While the date of COP26 is yet to be announced, it is anticipated to take place in 2021 where parties will take stock and asses the national climate plans (NDCs) of countries which should be developed by all parties by 2020. Both the Bonn session and COP26, are now postponed.

“We should not forget that while the climate talks have been put on hold, climate change and its devastating impacts will continue. There is an urgent need for immediate action on climate change from all around the world,” concludes Akullo.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Mattias Söderberg, Co-chair of ACT’s working group on Climate Justice
+45 29 70 06 09, msd@dca.dk

Patiriciah Roy Akullo, Co-chair of ACT’s working group on Climate Justice
prak@dca.dk

The ACT Alliance is a global network of churches and church-based agencies that does humanitarian response, sustainable development, and advocacy work.  ACT is made up of over 135 members working in over 120 countries.

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ACT Alliance follows the ICRC Code of Conduct, which states that “the humanitarian imperative comes first, that the right to receive and offer humanitarian assistance is a fundamental humanitarian principle that all citizens of all countries must enjoy. Providing humanitarian aid, it is not a partisan or political act and should not be seen as such.” In this sense, ACT supports the public declaration made for our member Church World Service, CWS, a cooperative effort of 37 member communions in the U.S., representing millions of persons around the globe to call for the immediate and full lifting of those U.S. sanctions that increase the difficulty for nations to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic in Iran, Venezuela, Cuba and other countries:

CWS, a global humanitarian agency with programs in development, humanitarian aid, and refugee assistance adds its voice to the increasing number of U.S. humanitarian and religious organizations calling an immediate lifting of those U.S. sanctions that increase the difficulty for countries to protect their populations from the COVID-19 pandemic and prevent further global transmissions.

Such sanctioned countries include Iran, Venezuela, Cuba and other nations impacted by the Coronavirus and currently responding to the COVID-19 pandemic in coordination and communication with the World Health Organization.

Our call is inspired by our Christian faith and CWS´ adherence to the humanitarian imperative to save lives and advance human dignity.

Timing is critical. The urgency to act intensifies each day, and every life that can be saved must be saved. All persons matter equally to God, whether American, Iranian or Venezuelan. While the United States government has serious differences with the governments of sanctioned countries, their people are not our enemies.

Both moral imperative and the U.S.´s enlightened self-interest urge immediate action to lift – at least temporarily – these sanctions.

Accordingly, we urge the immediate lifting of those U.S. sanctions that increase the difficulty for Iran, Venezuela, Cuba and other countries to protect their populations from the COVID-19 pandemic and prevent further global transmissions.

In addition, ACT member the Cuban Council of Churches joined with the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA to issue a joint statement calling for the lifting of sanctions against Cuba, which can be read here.

Download the CWS statement in English or Spanish.

A Joint Statement – Urgent Action Needed to Prevent COVID-19

The COVID-19 virus presents the entire world with a series of humanitarian, financial, social and political challenges, which do not spare faith-based actors and institutions.

This pandemic disrupts lives and economies and exacerbates structural problems in many parts of the world, including a humanitarian system which is already overstretched by the number and scale of existing crises globally. But we are also witnessing a tremendous wave of increased solidarity among people during this crisis.

We, as people of faith, must participate in the fight against this pandemic. We must do what we can to stop its spread. With faith rooted deeply in our hearts, we are called upon to ensure that we listen to the wisdom of the scientific community and their advice, that we learn the implications of how to protect one another and our loved ones, and that we enable our communities of faith to be servants to the health and welfare of all of our world.

Medical experts around the world, from the World Health Organization to emergency room doctors insist on the wisdom of avoiding physical contact and avoiding public spaces. We understand how deeply this reality pains so many of us who need, sometimes desperately, to be in our places of worship, and to serve our communities’ spiritual and humanitarian needs. In fact, at few moments in history has humanity needed the sustenance of shared worship as much as it does now. But again, we must remember that medical experts advise against public gatherings, which includes worship services.

Moreover, as faith actors we are deeply rooted in the communities we serve. Local faith institutions, religious leaders and other faith-based organizations are responding to the needs of their communities due to the COVID-19 pandemic as humanitarian actors and long-term agents of change.

All faiths compel us to protect, to save lives, and to acknowledge and honour the divine breath within each of us, and in one another. There is no faith tradition that calls upon us to intentionally harm ourselves or others, even when there may be a deep sense of injustice sustained. Therefore, it is imperative that we fully respect human rights and humanitarian principles and ensure protection to everybody.

This is why we must heed the calls of the faith leaders who urge us to remember the divine within, and to keep one another out of harm’s way.

Yes, it pains us not to come together in worship in our places of worship. It is particularly painful during these months of the year for several of our faith traditions who would usually be celebrating central religious occasions. But endangering the lives of our loved ones and our communities at large by gathering in large numbers is not an act of worship.

In times of unprecedented crisis where the enemy is intangible but deathly real, we need to listen to our faith leaders, armed with faith and science, and to our medical establishments, and our governments, and common sense – all of which guide us that temporarily staying away from public spaces – including temples, mosques, synagogues, churches, gurudwaras – to avoid the risk of infecting one another, may well be the most effective means of saving lives.

We can build on the positive experiences of those faith institutions who have cancelled physical gatherings, but are experiencing new forms of engagement, community and connection beyond their usual spaces of worship. And we encourage others to do so, too.

This is not a time to dispute the body count and believe that faith alone will prevent and save. This is the time to show that faith is part of taking preventive and responsive actions to protect one another in every corner of our world.

We call ACT alliance members, Religions for Peace interreligious councils, women of faith and interfaith youth networks, and other interreligious groups to come together at national and regional level in order to create spaces for discernment and cooperation to respond to this crisis in a compassionate and effective way.

Yours sincerely,

In commemoration of March 8, International Women’s Day, motivated and supported by LAC CoP Gender Justice, ACT members in Latin America and the Caribbean are publicly demonstrating in March, through ecumenical celebrations and several spaces for reflection and mobilization to reaffirm their commitment to the promotion of the rights of women and girls.

The ACT Peru Forum, whom actively participates in the mobilizations of the feminist movement for women’s rights, marched again on March 7 with the motto: “ACTing together for Gender Justice: Churches, Organizations and Faith Communities in public action for the rights of women and girls”. The EPES Foundation in Chile and The Lutheran Church of Costa Rica, members of ACT Alliance, also joined the 8M marches and held a meeting on women and their rights.

The ACT Guatemala Forum carried out an awareness campaign from March 5 to 14 to recognize the contributions of women of faith in different areas throughout history and promote the rights of girls, young and adult women.

The ACT Argentina Forum, together with sister organizations, promoted an ecumenical act to deepen the active role of religious actors in accompanying women in their demands for justice. The Forum also encourages a conversation with different churches and organizations to articulate and strengthen the work in Argentina for gender justice.

In Nicaragua, ACT member CIEETS is promoting a digital campaign to mobilize churches and faith actors in the prevention of violence against women.  The ACT Colombia Forum is making visible in social media the commitment of its members in its initiatives to incorporate the gender perspective, within the framework of its diaconal work. “We work with a cross-cutting approach to gender justice, with priority given to women who experience multiple discriminations and victimizations within the social context of their own communities”, they said.

Members of the ACT Brazil Forum are leading spaces for reflection on theology and gender. The Lutheran Foundation of Diaconia of Brazil, has started the exhibition “Not so sweet home” that seeks to make visible the violence suffered by women inside the home, and promote the right to a life free of violence for all women.

At the ACT Salvador Forum, the Central American program of the Lutheran World Federation began on March 8 with a series of seven messages from Lutheran women in the region, committed to the promotion of women through their pastoral work.

Different activities are continuing throughout March, with the purpose of deepening the visions, strategies and actions that allow the members of the Alliance and their allies, to act together and articulate in the promotion of women’s rights, which in the region is the population most affected by economic structures, the impacts of climate change, the migratory phenomenon, the decline in rights and the reduction of civil society spaces. More info in Spanish: www.actuandounidas.org

On the occasion of the World Water Day 2020, and with deep concern over the gravity of the COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences on people in all regions of the world, especially the poor, the World Council of Churches and ACT Alliance reaffirm the responsibility of churches and faith-based organisations to ensure that people have access to clean, affordable, sufficient water to meet their physical and domestic needs, including that of hand-washing.

On 22 March we observe World Water Day.  Since 1993, the UN has declared this day to focus on the importance of the freshwater resources which are fast depleting. This year also marks the 10^th anniversary of the UN recognition of the human right to water and sanitation.

The new coronavirus has reached over 180 countries with over 200,000 cases of infection and over 10,000 deaths. COVID-19 has the potential to infect at least half of the world’s population with an unthinkable number of deaths if strictest measures are not put in place.

As whole countries have been locked down, the most important advice for prevention of infection is a simple “hand-washing” with soap and water. However, it is not possible for everyone in the world to wash their hands several times a day simply because they do not have access to adequate safe and clean water for drinking, let alone for hand washing. People in refugee camps, for instance, are at greater risk due to lack of sufficient water.

Hand-washing practices to promote good hygiene is the ‘silver bullet’ to prevent an infection from spreading, along with physical distancing from one another. Until the world finds a vaccine for COVID-19, hand-washing with soap and water is our best preventative measure.

“Water is the source of health and well-being and requires responsible action from us human beings, as partners and priests of Creation (Rom 8:19 ff., Rev 22). As churches, we are called to participate in the mission of God to bring about a new creation where life in abundance is assured to all (John 10:10; Amos 5:24). It is therefore right to speak out and to act when the life-giving water is pervasively and systematically under threat.” ‘Statement on Water for Life’ of 9^th Assembly of World Council of Churches, Porto Alegre, 2006

WCC and ACT Alliance recognize and affirm the World Health Organization’s guidelines to prevent infection and combat the pandemic and call upon their members around the world to give highest priority to “doing whatever we can do to protect life” and to follow strictly the rules and guidelines from authorities based on WHO guidelines.

Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit
General secretary, World Council of Churches

Mr. Rudelmar Bueno de Faria
General secretary, ACT Alliance

* This is a work in progress resource, keep checking for updated information*

As the world continues to respond to the global pandemic of Covid-19, the coronavirus, the situation on the ground in every country is changing rapidly.  The ACT Security Group is putting together regular updates of their advice on how to deal with this virus.  The ACT Secretariat is in contact with forums and members around the world, and is looking into additional supports and responses that are possible from the Alliance.  We will continue to post updates to our website as they are available, to share our recommendations and responses to this situation.

WHO official page on COVID-19
Getting the workplace ready for COVID-19
Infographics for social media use
WHO FAQs

Download the latest advice from the ACT Security Group (March 16) here.

Check all the resources on the Programme Guide on Coronavirus: here

Resources, tips and trainings by ACTLearn

As we navigate in these troubling times of Covid-19, we are increasingly challenged by working remotely and conducting meetings and trainings online. Fortunately, ACT Alliance’s learning collaboration, ACTLearn, has focused on online collaboration and learning for several years and is ready to support! ACT Alliance members can take advantage of this collaboration and its resources.

A number of opportunities are listed below: 

 Advanced Online Facilitation – Making your webinar or online meeting engaging and motivational

Get inspiration, useful tips and other helpful resources for working with dispersed teams, hosting online meetings and trainings, and much more. Participation is free. The webinar is hosted by DanChurchAid’s Learning Lab.

The first webinar will take place on Thursday, March 26^th from 9:00-10:00 CET. Find out more about the webinar.

Join the ACTLearn/Fabo collaboration and develop your own online courses

If you are interested to know more about the ACTLearn/Fabo collaboration, please contact Head of Learning Lab, Simon Skårhøj, ssk@dca.dk, DanChurchAid. You can also read more here. 

Virtual Work Site – inspiration and sharing space on working and training online

Learning Lab has launched a new virtual work site for experience sharing to help transition from in-person working to remote working. The site gathers resources, tips and tricks all in one place. 

ACTLearn Hub for Learning – gate for ACT Alliance Members

This is a learning gate on fabo.org for ACT Alliance Members. On the site you can find courses for ACT Alliance Members. We are currently developing the catalogue. We are excited to offer free courses on “Code of Conduct“, “Complaints”, “Facilitation” and “Religion and Development”. https://fabo.org/act

Access to asylum cannot be denied: ACT Alliance appeals to the EU, its member states and the Turkish government for humanity and solidarity

STATEMENT

The current situation at the Greek-Turkish border is a testament to the failure of the international community at large to address the root causes of violent conflict, including the ongoing hostilities in Syria, as well as the failure to address its humanitarian and human rights fallout across borders, in particular on the part of the EU, Turkey and Greece.

Crossing borders to seek asylum on land or sea is not a crime, nor illegal under international or EU law. Giving access to asylum is an obligation under international and EU law that needs to be respected, and for which there is no acceptable derogation.

Bearing the brunt of these failures are the affected refugees themselves, whose position has become ever more untenable. The conditions they are facing are dire and are calling for immediate assistance. Even before the crisis in Idlib escalated further and refugees arrived at their border, reception conditions in Greece, especially in the overcrowded hotspots on the islands, were already seriously undermining basic standards of human dignity. Tensions between the local population, refugees and civil society organizations have become a daily reality, and sea arrivals are being made impossible.  Of particular concern are also the recent xenophobic mob attacks on those refugees who have managed to reach the islands, as well as on journalists and humanitarian workers assisting them or covering the situation.

ACT Alliance members have been working with partner organisations to meet the needs of refugees stranded in Turkey by providing baby blankets, hygiene sets and simple raincoats as well as portable toilets and water systems in areas where many refugees are staying in makeshift tents and a high number still remains without shelter. Member also highlight the specific protection needs of lactating women who cannot join the food distribution lines, and of babies and children who are facing hunger and are battling the cold weather. Widespread problems of exploitation at the hands of smugglers and extortions by profiteers for sales of bread and water are making the situation even more dramatic.

ACT Alliance members are also identifying and addressing an increase in relief needs in Greece, providing emergency relief kits, education for children and advice lines. They’re also working closely with UNHCR and UN agencies, journalists and politicians to coordinate the response efforts, but the current status quo is dramatic, to say the least.

These developments are an expected yet a tragic consequence of the ill-fated EU-Turkey deal from 2016,  which paved the way for Fortress Europe externalizing refugee protection. It was clear then and can certainly no longer be denied today, that this deal inherently exposed the EU to the kind of blackmail we are witnessing today, along with the erosion of long-held standards of protection and dignity.

On the policy front the Greek government must immediately revoke its decision to close the borders and stop taking asylum claims. The institutions and fellow member states of the European Union must also call upon Greece to respect its obligations instead of supporting their violent behaviour at the border.

Internal EU solidarity should mean immediate relocation of refugees from hotspots and reception centres and assistance in the reception of and quick relocation of newly arriving asylum seekers, hoping it will motivate Greece to return to lawful practice. At the local and municipal level, a coalition of mayors has already offered their support, for instance in Germany – countering the populist myth that “the people” of Europe are demanding tougher migration and asylum policies and thus forcing policymakers’ hands, and showcasing the solidarity and support Europeans and European civil society have been showing in the welcoming and reception of newly arriving third country nationals.

 It is against basic human dignity to use human suffering for political gain. The circumstances for persons in need of international protection in Turkey are very difficult, especially for those who are non-Syrian with no access to proper refugee status determination or protection in Turkey. Therefore, and because Turkey remains the country hosting the largest number of refugees worldwide, criticism of its tactics must be linked with reinforced offers of support for durable solutions, which at this stage means resettlement from Turkey, as well as financial assistance to help the country`s asylum and integration system.

While it is unacceptable to promote “safe zones” or to enable the premature return of refugees to Syria, the most recent response by the Greek government endangers the rights of persons on the move, including potential violations of the non-refoulement principle, and/or the triggering of chain refoulement. All EU agencies including the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) are bound by the EU Charter on Fundamental Rights and cannot participate in operations violating fundamental rights.

In order to address this pressing humanitarian crisis, we call on the Greek and Turkish governments to provide full and unconditional access to deliver humanitarian assistance to those stranded at the border. The number and condition of these people in need remains largely unknown, which is a cause for grave worry.

In addition, in the rest of the country, as of 6^th March, 115,000 migrants and refugees remain stranded in Greece, of whom around 41,200 are on the islands of Lesvos, Samos, Chios, Leros and Kos. More than 41,000 people remain stranded in reception centres across these islands which were originally designed for 5,400 people. Thousands of women, men, and children living in small tents are exposed to cold and rain with little or no access to heating and electricity. Hygiene and sanitation conditions are unsafe, and health problems are on the rise. Many cannot see a doctor as there are simply too few medical staff at the reception centres and local hospitals (IFRC, 5 March 2020).

Despite ongoing assistance, operations still do not meet the needs of refugees. Funding is required to support efforts in Turkey and Greece.

Any measures taken by actors involved must comply with international human rights law.

Over 150 organizations and social movements in Brazil made a public statement to denounce Bolsonaro’s calls for public demonstrations against the Brazilian National Congress and the Supreme Court, which violate constitutional principles.

The ACT Forum Brazil joined the call, as well its ACT members.

Find the statement below:

“The Rule of Law is conducive to the strengthening of democracy and democratic institutions, it guarantees the protection of human rights , freedom of expression and the fight against social inequalities. All institutions and citizens are called to commit and engage in the promotion and protection of such values.

It is unacceptable that the President of Brazil Jair Bolsonaro, participates in actions that endanger those democratic pillars, calling for public demonstrations against the National Congress and the Supreme Court. Such attitude clearly violates a number of constitutional principles such as the subsection II, article 85 of the Brazilian Constitution which states: “The crimes of responsibility are acts of the President of the Republic that violate the Federal Constitution and, especially, against: II – the free exercise of the Legislative Power, the Judicial Power, the Public Ministry and the Constitutional Powers of the Federation Unit “.

Attacks on democracy and social stability by the highest national authority cannot be tolerated or minimized as “personal statements.” It is urgent that our democratic institutions respond vigorously to these unacceptable behaviours and promote constitutional responsibility. We also hope that civil society organizations will participate in the establishment of a large coalition to defend democracy, freedom, the Rule of Law and guarantee the human rights for all Brazilians.”

“In 10 years, we have grown to become the world’s largest Protestant and Orthodox network working on humanitarian assistance, development and advocacy,” said Rudelmar Bueno de Faria, General Secretary of ACT Alliance, at an event to celebrate ACT’s 10^th anniversary in Geneva on February 27, 2020.  ACT has grown to be an alliance of over 135 churches and related agencies working in over 120 countries around the world in its first decade.

“Together, we have responded to many emergencies, ranging from the Haiti earthquake to the protracted crisis in Syria to the drought in the Horn of Africa. [We are present] in every corner of the planet, where our members, especially national members, can respond to small, medium and large crises.

“Through our members we engage in development, connecting with existing processes like the 2030 Agenda, and in advocacy work to promote human rights and fight against injustice,” he continued.

The event, held at the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva, drew over 100 people: staff from ACT members, the World Council of Churches, ACT partners, peer agencies, and the UN. 

“ACT Alliance and its members have done and continue to do vitally important work; having a real impact for some of the poorest and most marginalised people. You do this work in Christ’s name as Action by the Churches Together, ” said Dr. Isabel Apawo Phiri, Deputy General Secretary of the World Council of Churches.  “The World Council of Churches looks forward to working together with ACT Alliance over the next 10 years and beyond. ACT Alliance is an essential part of the ecumenical family; your work is needed and deeply appreciated.”

“The ACT Alliance has been, and continues to be an expression of the ecumenical commitment of the LWF and other members of the Alliance to work together with others in the ecumenical movement, to engage in the diaconal ministry of our churches and to serve those most in need,” said Maria Immonen, Director of World Service for the Lutheran World Federation and member of the ACT Governing Board. “LWF remains committed to this vision – that of an Alliance and an ecumenical movement which is not occupied with itself, but with the people in the world that it was created to serve. The fact that the world is changing at a higher speed than ever before, and the challenges are growing bigger every day, makes it even more important that we don’t lose sight of the reason why we created the ACT Alliance.”

“Together, we are stronger.  Together, we will continue as an alliance to speak out, to stand up, and act against injustices. We will promote climate justice, gender justice, the rights of people on the move, peace and human security, and also the protection of those people affected by emergencies and crises,” concluded de Faria.

Action by Churches Together (ACT Alliance) is celebrating its 10^th Anniversary since it was officially launched on January 1, 2010 as the ecumenical family’s agency for humanitarian relief, sustainable development and advocacy.

Together, we have responded to humanitarian disasters ranging from the Haiti earthquake, to the protracted crisis in Syria, to drought in the horn of Africa. We have engaged in capacity building, development and advocacy towards a world where all of God’s creation lives with dignity, justice, peace and full respect for human rights and the environment.

Over its first decade, ACT Alliance has reaffirmed its identity as a coalition of churches and affiliated organisations charged with the responsibility to serve people and communities affected by crises, poverty and injustice.

“We are proud of the work and achievements of our members over the last ten years. ACT’s unique structure which encompasses national and regional forums continues to facilitate the delivery of our effective, accountable and consistent work,” says Rudelmar Bueno de Faria, ACT’s General Secretary.

Together, we will continue to speak out, stand up and act against injustice, fight for climate justice, gender justice, the rights of people on the move, peace and human security, and the protection of people affected by emergencies.

Together, we are stronger.

In ten years, we have grown to become the world’s largest Protestant and Orthodox network on humanitarian relief, sustainable development, and advocacy, with over 130 churches and agencies working in over 120 countries. We look forward to what we will achieve in the next ten years!

We thank you for your continued support and commitment!

ACT 10th anniversary resources:

• 10th anniversary prayer EN ES FR
• 10th anniversary logo EN ES FR
• 10th anniversary photo gallery