“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 10th 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.
