From 9–13 September, around 300 representatives from churches and ecumenical organisations around the world gathered in Seoul, Republic of Korea, for the 2026 International Ecumenical Peace Convocation.

Held under the theme “World Peace and the Korean Peninsula: The Church as a Community of Healing, Reconciliation, and Peacebuilding,” the gathering brought together people committed to strengthening peace and reconciliation. WSCF Europe was represented by our Regional Secretary (Serena tagged on Linkedin), who joined this shared journey of reflection, dialogue, worship and action.

Across the five days, participants:

  • reflected on Just Peace and the role of the church in responding to conflicts around the world
  • discussed disarmament, nuclear abolition and demilitarisation, alongside the continuing division of the Korean Peninsula
  • explored the contributions of young people, women, churches and civil society to peacebuilding
  • adopted the 2026 Seoul Peace Declaration, expressing a renewed commitment to peace, reconciliation and solidarity
  • took part in a peace pilgrimage to the DMZ (demilitarized zone), creating space for reflection on Korea’s division and hopes for reconciliation
  • concluded the gathering with ecumenical worship and a renewed commitment to work for peace on the Korean Peninsula and beyond

For WSCF Europe, participation in this gathering was an opportunity to connect the work of Student Christian Movements with the wider ecumenical movement for peace and creating spaces for reconciliation and justice. Peacebuilding requires both reflection and action, and it requires us to learn from one another across generations, regions and contexts.

We are grateful to have been part of this international gathering and to continue strengthening our connections with ecumenical partners working for justice, reconciliation and peace.

 

Day 1: Participants gathered for for keynote speeches and panel discussions Just Peace and the Vocation of the Church and Global Conflict Situations and Just Peace

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 2: Focused on Disarmament and Nuclear Abolition, the current prospects for peace in the Korean Peninsula and workshops with youth perspectives. Panelists included WSCF-AP Regional Secretary Yowanda Yonggara

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 3: Discussions for the adoption of the ‘2026 Peace Declaration’

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 4: Pilgrimage to the DMZ: Boarder Area walk and Peace prayer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 5: Ecumenical Joint Worship for Peace and Reconciliation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Youth delegation: Olivia Baro – Pacific region, interpreter, Serena Tiburtini – our Regional Secretary, Abigayle Bolado – WCC Programme Executive for Youth Engagement, Yowanda – WCSP AP, Sofia Lanza – Catholic delegation to the WCC Youth Commission