Program Ecumenical Week in Stockholm, 18-24 August

In our seminar we will use the method Bibliodrama: action and imagination. The Bible text from Ephesians 2:17 will be at the focus. ”Peace to you who were far off, and peace to those, who were near by”. Everybody can take part in this workshop. You do not need to know anything about the method or about the biblical text we have chosen to work with. Form: A workshop around a biblical text with peace at the focus, and with bibliodrama as method. Participants: Gerhard Marcel Martin, Marburg, Prof. em. in theology, minister and one of the founders of Bibliodrama. Mariann Hagbarth, Stockholm, Psychologist and psychotherapist who introduced Symboldrama to Sweden, and Helene Isborn, Biblioddrama sällskapet i Sverige. Organiser: Bibliodrama sällskapet i Sverige Language: English

Together with some of the authors of the book ’This is Only the Beginning’, we discuss the significance of the Stockholm Meeting in its time and its relevance for our time. Language: Swedish. Interpretation in English. Participant Speakers: Direktor Jan Eckerdal (red), Lektor Sara Gehlin EHS, F.d. diplomat Jan Henningsson, Stiftsteolog Maria Klasson Sundin, Biskop em. Sven Thidevall, Professor Susanne Wigorts Yngvesson. Format: panel. Organizer: Stiftelsen Sverige och kristen tro, SSKT.

”Ecumenism is both a calling and a reality. The challenge of the ecumenical movement today is to demonstrate the great and vital mission it holds: to address the root causes of suffering, to work for the strengthening of relationships, healing, and peace—between people, between people and the rest of creation, and between people and God.”

Sofia Camnerin, Secretary general in the Christian Council of Sweden, is pastor in Uniting Church of Sweden, holds a PhD in Systematic theology and is author of several books. She served as a member of the Central committee of the World Council of Churches between 2006 and 2022. She was elected as one of three leaders of the newly established Uniting Church in Sweden and served as Vice President from 2012 to 2020. From 2018 to 2021 she also held the position of Academic Dean at University College Stockholm.

This seminar examines the role of religions for peace building, focusing on Jesuit Worldwide Learning’s work in Iraq. It highlights JWL’s peace programs, and education’s role in fostering leadership and conflict resolution. This seminar explores the question: How can religions contribute to or hinder peace efforts? With a special focus on Iraq, it draws on the experience of Jesuit Worldwide Learning (JWL), which provides university education to excluded youth and communities in crisis regions. JWL’s work is preventive, fostering peace in society by forming future leaders. The discussion will highlight two key programs: ”Peace Leader” and ”Interreligious Cooperation for Peace,” which equip students with the skills to navigate conflict and promote sustainable, peaceful coexistence. The session features an introduction to JWL’s mission, an engaging interactive activity, and a guided discussion on the role of interreligious dialogue in conflict resolution. Join us to explore how education can transform divided societies and build a more peaceful world.
Form: Panel followd by workshop.
Participants: Peter Balleis SJ, Executive President at Jesuit Worldwide Learning – Higher Education at the Margins. Magdalena Nauderer, Country Director Iraq at Jesuit Worldwide Learning – Higher Education at the Margins. Cooperative Organisations: Newmaninstitute and JWL Jesuit Worldwide Learning – Higher educations at the margins.
Language: English

In this time of polarization and right-wing extremism tendencies, how can churches and the ecumenical movement work together in promoting social justice and the common good? What are theological motivations and the diapraxis responses? This seminar seeks the theological motivation and the ecumenical movements response in mitigating these trends. How can we be brave and outspoken voices against polarization and right-wing extremism? Sharing from experiences of Church of Sweden Diocese partner church relations in Germany (Dresden), Northern Tanzania and England (Portsmouth). Form: Paneldiscussion Participants: Bishop Andreas Holmberg, Church of Sweden, Diocese of Stockholm, Dr Martin Teubner, Evangelisch-Lutherische Landeskirche Sachsen, Superintendent Brigitte Lammert, Evangelisch-Lutherische Landeskirche Sachsen, Superintendent Allbrecht Nollau, Evangelisch-Lutherische Landeskirche Sachsen, Jeff William, Director of Education, Diocese of Portsmouth, Church of England, Bishop Fredrick Shoo, Northern Diocese, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania. Cooperative Churches and Organizations: Church of Sweden, Diocese of Stockholm, Evangelisch-Lutherische Landeskirche Sachsen, Diocese of Portsmouth, Church of England, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania, Northern Diocese. Language: English

We will listen to the conversation between two Church leaders, who have faced conflicts from different perspectives in their contexts. The Morava Church and National Evangelical Synod of Syria and Lebanon (NESSL) are members of the World Council of Churches and partners with Uniting Church in Sweden (Equmeniakyrkan). Participant speakers: Super Intendent Rev. Alfredo Joiner, Nicaragua and General Secretary Rev. Joseph Kassab, Lebanon. Organiser: Equmeniakyrkan. Language: English.

The World Council of Churches’ document The Church: Towards a Common Vision concludes that ”the Church must continue the life-giving mission of Christ in prophetic and compassionate ministry to the world and in struggle against every form of injustice and oppression, mistrust and conflict created by human beings”. The urgency of that seems to be even greater today than when the document was published in 2013. In that mission, and to further our self understanding as churches, koinonia – practical ecumenism, in which struggles are shared – is key. The seminar will reflect ecclesiologically on that, based on real life experiences. Participant speakers: Rev. Dr. Eleuterio Revollido och Rev. Dr. Noel Dacuycuy, Aglipay Central Theological Seminary (ACTS) of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI), the Philippine Independent Church. Organizer: Church of Sweden, in full communion (concordate) with IFI since 1995. Language: English.

The seminar looks at the Nordic folk churches’ involvement in the oppression of the Sámi people and the present challenges in the different churches. It also focuses on the ongoing reconciliation processes in terms of understanding them theologically and politically. The seminar will also highlight present work on Sámi spirituality. The first part of the seminar looks at the involvement of Church of Norway, Church of Sweden and the Evenangelical-lutheran church in Finland in the oppression of the Sámi people and look at the present challenges in the different churches. Representatives from the three churches will give an overview and a panel conversation will focus on common experiences and lessons learned. The second part focuses on the reconciliation processes in these churches today in terms of understanding them theologically and politically. The seminar will highlight ongoing justices, present work and Sámi spirituality. Form: First lectures and panel discussions, then panel discussions and questions in plenary. Participant Speakers: Lisbeth Hotti, Church of Sweden, Maria Klasson Sundin, Church of Sweden, Bishop Svein Valle Church of Norway, Sigurdur Hafthorsson, Church of Sweden, Stein-Erik Anti, Church of Norway, Berit Hagen Agøy, Church of Norway.
Cooperative organisations: Church of Norway, Church of Finland and Church of Sweden
Language: English

The speakers will describe what their peace work looks like in their local context with opportunities and challenges, but also reflect on what support, inspiration they would like to receive from the international community. After a short pause, a panel discussion takes place followed by a conversation leader where they react to each other’s presentations and with reflections on how the different local contexts link into each other. Form: Panel discussion. Lecture with group discussions. Participants: Hana Kirreh, Wiam Palestine, Sr Christina Nakey and Sr Elistaha Nikolao Mlay, Ushirika wa Neema, Tanzania, Kerstin Bergå, The Swedish Peace and Arbitration Society, and Carin Gardbring moderator. Organiser: Swedish Ecumenical Woman Council/ Sveriges ekumeniska kvinnoråd, SEK. Cooperating organisations: Kairos Palestine Sweden, Svenska Jerusalemföreningen, Svenska kyrkan Lunds stift, Svenska kyrkan Nyköpings församling, Operation 1325 och Kvinnor i Svenska Kyrkan. Language: English. Participate digitally: https://sensus-se.zoom.us/j/9916740289?omn=86761295006

What is specific for a peace work based on Jesus and his message of peace. Theological in-depth study and what it means in practice today. Participicants: Lareen Abu Akleh, Sabeel Palestine, Anna Karin Hammar Kairos Sweden and Archbishop emerita Dr. Antje Jackelén. Form: Lecture and groupdiscussion. Organiser: Swedish Ecumenical Woman Council/ Sveriges ekumeniska kvinnoråd, SEK. (Marie Körner, kontakt)  Cooperating organisations: Ecumenical Woman Council/ Svenska ekumeniska kvinnorådet, Sabeels Vänner i Sverige, Kairos Palestina, Svenska Jerusalemsföreningen, Svenska kyrkan Lunds stift, Institutet för kontextuell teologi. Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation center Jerusalem, Operation 1325 och Kvinnor i Svenska Kyrkan . Language: English. Participate digitally: https://sensus-se.zoom.us/j/9916740289?omn=86761295006  

As the global Church marks the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, this milestone invites reflection not only on the theological legacy of the Nicene Creed, but also on its potential to enable healing, unity, and prophetic engagement in a divided world. In this special in-person conversation, Prof. Dion Forster (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam) and Prof. Charlene van der Walt (Act Church of Sweden), both originally from South Africa and now serving in theological leadership roles in Europe, offer a unique diasporic and transnational perspective on the challenges and possibilities facing the Church today. The dialogue explores how the Nicene Creed might serve not merely as doctrinal heritage, but as a generative resource for engaging issues of colonial entanglement, gender-based violence, and SRHR (sexual and reproductive health and rights). Together, Forster and van der Walt will reflect on how theological education can equip faith communities to hold space for complexity, honouring the historical weight of creedal commitments while wrestling with the embodied, contested realities of contemporary Christian witness. Participants: Prof. Dion Forster, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and Prof. Charlene van der Walt, Act Church of Sweden. Form: Dialogue. Language: English. Organiser: Act Church of Sweden.

The seminar looks at the Nordic folk churches’ involvement in the oppression of the Sámi people and the present challenges in the different churches. It also focuses on the ongoing reconciliation processes in terms of understanding them theologically and politically. The seminar will also highlight present work on Sámi spirituality. The first part of the seminar looks at the involvement of Church of Norway, Church of Sweden and the Evenangelical-lutheran church in Finland in the oppression of the Sámi people and look at the present challenges in the different churches. Representatives from the three churches will give an overview and a panel conversation will focus on common experiences and lessons learned. The second part focuses on the reconciliation processes in these churches today in terms of understanding them theologically and politically. The seminar will highlight ongoing justices, present work and Sámi spirituality. Form: First lectures and panel discussions, then panel discussions and questions in plenary. Participants: Mari Valjakka, ELCF, (tbc.) Sámi representative from CoS, (tbc), Lovisa Sjöberg, CoN, Berit Hagen Agøy, CoN, Bishop Åsa Nyström, CoS, Bishop Olav Fykse Tveit, CoN, Stein-Erik Anti, CoN (tbc.)
Cooperative organisations: Church of Norway, Church of Finland and Church of Sweden
Language: English

The search for Pathways to Peace in Europe has today deeply existential dimensions. Since 2022, the Conference of European Churches (CEC), together with its organisation in partnership Church and Peace, has been working with the program Pathways to Peace in and around Ukraine. In this seminar, contributors will share how the program seeks to identify and support such pathways. Participants: Katerina Pekridou, Program Officer for Theology and Studies, CEC, Brussels. Moderator: Almut Bretschneider-Felzmann, Thematic advisor, Church of Sweden. Organizer: Church of Sweden Cooperating Organizations: Conference of European Churches, Church and Peace. Language: English

In this session in an interactive way together with the participants of the seminary, we will in a concrete way point at how pedagogy of relations takes place in pastoral theology for future deacons, pastoral pedagogies, church musicians and ministers. The purpose of the seminar is to work with and talk about how relational learning, approaches of pastoral theology and receptive ecumenism meets and are linked together: In the extension of this the aim is to reach personal openness and an openness to different church traditions. Participants: Anna Borgert, Ella-Britt Eriksson, Maria Isberg, Henrik Rubin – all teachers in pastoral theology at the Church of Sweden Institute for Pastoral Education. Organiser: Church of Sweden Institute for Pastoral Education. Language: English

What can we learn from the long-standing cooperation in this region? A conversation between the Secretary Generals from the Ecumenical Councils in Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Estonia and Sweden. Form: Paneldiscussion. Participants: Henrik-Erhard Hermansen, Secretary General in the Christian Council of Norway, Emil Saggau, Secretary General in the National Councils of Churches in Denmark, Magnea Sverrisdottir, Project Manager at the Bishops Office in the Lutheran Church of Iceland, Vilver Oras, Executive Secretary in Estonian Council of Churches, Sofia Camnerin, Secretary General, Christian Council of Sweden. Organizer: Christian Council of Sweden. Cooperating Organizations: Christian Council of Sweden, Christian Council of Norway, National Councils of Churches in Denmark, Lutheran Church of Iceland, Estonian Council of Churches. Language: English

The war in Ukraine is the largest and most devastating war in Europe, since the end of The Second World War. It has raised profound theological and political questions for churches and Christians today. Theological issues related to peace and reconciliation need further development and contextualization. In this seminar the participants will engage in a theological conversation about what just peace might mean in the context of Ukraine, and how churches can contribute to promoting peace.  
Participants: Regina Elsner, Professor for Eastern Church Studies and Ecumenical Theology at the Universität of Münster, Katerina Pekridou, Program Officer for Theology and Studies, CEC, Archimandrite Cyril Hovorun, professor at St. Ignatius School of Theology, Sweden, Emil Hilton Saggau, Secretary General, Danish National Council of Churches.  
Moderator: Kristina Hellqvist, Christian Council of Sweden. Organizer: Christian Council of Sweden.  Language: English

Azza Karam is an Egyptian scholar and leader in the field of international development and interfaith dialogue. She has worked extensively with various international organizations, including the United Nations, focusing on issues such as human rights, gender equality, and sustainable development. Karam is known for her efforts to promote peace and understanding among different religious and cultural groups. Karam is also ambassador for the global campaign Thursdays in Black.

”I believe we are in dire need of transnational solidarity, and we need to consider how to do it generally, but most especially, with non-traditional partners. We speak of faith based and interfaith a lot. We see and hear of activities, meetings, etc.. While our interfaith spaces are good, they are not enough – and right now, as we are facing the worst crisis of legitimacy, democracy, truth integrity and even planetary survival, collectively. Our faith based spaces are struggling with the same challenges of non-faith-based entities. And I believe this is a huge crisis. Because, as believers, we each look to our faiths for sustenance. So, if those leaders, and organizations, which represent our faiths, either cannot figure out how to stand in solidarity with one another, or do not wish to because of diverse political and/or financial considerations, this weakens all of us. But even if religious actors are working miracles, it is, and will not be, enough. We need to think and realise new forms of partnerships. I wish to speak to some of those aspects and provide some concrete suggestions for the kinds and shapes of partnerships.”

You are warmly invited to an evening of community, music, and hope. Together with friends from diverse religious traditions, we gather to foster peace – across boundaries, in dialogue, and through shared reflection.

Programme:
Keynote speaker: Prof. Azza Karam
Greetings from representatives of various faith communities, the Minister for Social Affairs and Public Health, Jakob Forssmed and Olle Burell from the City of Stockholm.
With the partcipation of:
Andreas Holmberg, Bishop, Church of Sweden, Diocese of Stockholm
Ingrid Lomfors, Chair, Sveriges interreligiösa råd
Ouasilla ben Othmans, Chair, Interreligiösa rådet i Stockholm
Sofia Camnerin, Secretary General, Christian Council of Sweden

The event is open to the public, but the reception afterward is for invited guests only.

In 2025, Christians across the world will celebrate the council of Nicaea and the founding beliefs of the early church that were expressed in the Nicene Creed. It has been lost amidst centuries of struggles but revived in the ecumenical movement of the 20^th and 21^st centuries, as exemplified by the labeling of the Stockholm meeting in 1925 as the “Nicea on Christian Ethics”. This open conference will feature a series of scholars who will discuss the historical and theological significance of the council of Nicea, it’s texts and its stories, to reflect on its legacy and its ongoing influence. Participant speakers: Cyril Hovorun (UA) Professor, PhD, Emil Hilton Saggau (DK) Dr. Theol. (HABIL) PhD, Secretary General, Andreas Westergren (SE) Docent, PhD, Johannes Steenbuch (DK) PhD. Organizer: Nordisk Patristisk netvaerk, Dansk Forum for Patristik, Collegium Patristicum Lundense, Lunds Universitet, Danske kirkers råd och Sveriges kristna råd. Language: English. The whole program with content: nicea-seminar-stockholm-2025.pdf

In contemporary debates lines of divisions are not drawn between religious denominations they cut through them. Catholics might have more in common with protestants in different political issues. Does this imply that we need a new kind of ecumenical movement that talks across political rather than denominational divides? Or does it mean that the political is becoming a new religious divide?
Participants: Prof. Sarojini Nadar, holds the Desmond Tutu Research chair in Religions and Social Justice, University of Western Cape, South Africa, Dr. Packiam Samuel from Henry Martin Istitute in Hyderabad, India, Anna Hjälm, director at the Swedish Theological Institute in Jerusalem, Prof Jakob Wirén, theology of religion Lund university, Sweden.
Form: Paneldiscussion Organiser: Lunds Missionssällskap (LMS) Language: English

A seminar with three leaders within the ACT Alliance, the ecumenical movement’s joint humanitarian, development, and advocacy work.

The panel includes Rudelmar Bueno de Faria, Secretary General of the ACT Alliance, as well as representatives from the Swedish members of the ACT Alliance: Erik Lysén, Head of Act Church of Sweden, and Anna Eggelind, International Director of Diakonia.

During the seminar, Rudelmar, Anna, and Erik will share their insights and experiences from their work in promoting social justice, sustainable development, and human rights. They will provide examples of the collaborative efforts within the ACT Alliance.

They will also discuss the challenges we face today, such as polarization, populism, changes in political will and aid financing, and questioning of multilateral cooperation. Additionally, they will talk about how we can engage more organizations and individuals in this important work. Participants: Rudelmar Bueno de Faria, General Secretary, ACT Alliance, Erik Lysén, Head of Act Church of Sweden, Anna Eggelind, International Manager, Diaconia. Form: Paneldiscussion. Organiser: Act Church of Sweden. Language: English

We will have a panel discussion regarding the importance of local Peacebuilding inte world today. Panelist will be drawn from within Sweden and also LPI’s organisation. Participants speakers: Abdalla Elsafi – LPI’s Sudan Country Manager, Shamsia Ramadhan – a member of the LPI Board of Directors, Program Management Specialist, Peacebuilding & PCVE, USAID, Kenya. Moderator: Martha Kiiza Bakwesegha-Osula, LPI’s Horn of Africa Regional Programme Manager. Format: Paneldiscussion. Organizer: Life and Peace Institute, LPI. Language: English.

In a time when migration policies are becoming stricter, Europe is closing its borders to people fleeing for their lives. When groups are being set against each other, the boundaries of what we say about one another are shifting. How do we keep being good neighbours and compassionate fellow humans? How can theology and interfaith collaboration offer support, hope, and perseverance? Participants: Professor Azza Karam, Archbishop emeritas Antje Jackelén, Director Rikko Voorberg from A World of Neighbours and David Lazar, Rabbi of Congregation OR Hamidbar in Palm springs California. Moderator: Javeria Ritzvi Kabani, A World of Neighbours Advisory Board. Form: Paneldiscussion Organiser: A World of Neighbours. Language: English