During World Interfaith Harmony Week, representatives of the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue met in Geneva at the Ecumenical Centre and at the Ecumenical Institute at Bossey from 2–6 February.

The delegation was formally received by WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay. The meeting aimed to review ongoing cooperation and to plan forthcoming steps in view of the 50th anniversary of the shared journey in the field of interreligious dialogue in an ecumenical context.

“Interreligious dialogue is acknowledged as a dynamic and relational process that enables communities of different faith traditions to encounter one another in mutual respect,” reads a communique from the meeting. “It plays an essential role in strengthening social cohesion and peaceful coexistence by upholding human dignity and promoting respect, solidarity, and shared responsibility among peoples.”

Discussions focused on the central role of interreligious dialogue in the Christian witness of reconciliation in a fractured world, and on planning for the forthcoming 50th anniversary celebration of this collaboration.