Salpy Eskidijan, in charge of the programme on the Geneva-based WCC staff, talked about how the programme was started and what it set out to achieve to overcome violence. The Ecumenical Decade is meant to provide an umbrella under which the WCC member churches can initiate and rally forces in this area. Three projects for overcoming violence in Germany were then presented to the public. There was also a report on the work of a football fan project from Hanover aimed at potentially violent football fans and hooligans. God's people can do it, God's people must do it.
Overcoming violence is possible.
This passionate appeal made by Jeffrey Brown was the message of the whole event. The Kirchentag wanted to raise hopes and say that we need not stand idly by in the face of widespread violence in German cities and worldwide. Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Apostolic Church from Lebanon and Chairman of the WCC Central Committee, and EKD Council Chairman Praeses Manfred Kock launched the Ecumenical Decade. Fill this decade with life and do not hesitate for too long. The matter is urgent and time is short.