Wednesday, 09. September 2026
International Ecumenical Peace Convocation Opens in Seoul
More than 200 international delegates gather in Seoul to explore peacebuilding, reconciliation, and healing on the Korean Peninsula and beyond.
The International Ecumenical Peace Convocation opened today at Seoul Anglican Cathedral, bringing together more than 200 church leaders, peace activists, and ecumenical partners from around the world for a five-day gathering. The event marks the 40th anniversary of the historic Glion Consultation, which helped pave the way for groundbreaking encounters between Christians from North and South Korea.
At a time when the world is facing escalating wars, armed conflicts, militarization, nuclear threats, and the rise of extremist ideologies, the Convocation seeks to identify practical pathways toward peace. Participants will reflect on how Christian faith can contribute to peacebuilding, reconciliation, and healing on the Korean Peninsula and beyond.
EMS and its longstanding commitment to peace on the Korean Peninsula
For many years, the Evangelical Mission in Solidarity (EMS) has stood alongside its Korean member churches, the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea (PROK) and the Presbyterian Church of Korea (PCK), in supporting sustainable peace initiatives. Through joint projects including peace prayer services, educational programs, peace spirituality initiatives, and the development of teaching materials for congregations and Sunday schools, EMS and its partners have fostered a culture of peace and reconciliation while responding to changing geopolitical realities in the region.
Under the theme "World Peace and the Korean Peninsula: The Church as a Community of Healing, Reconciliation, and Peacebuilding," representatives of EMS are joining delegates from across the globe to share experience, insights, and visions for a more peaceful future.
Among the participants are representatives of the German East Asia Mission (DOAM) and the Centre for Ecumenical Affairs (Zentrum Oekumene), a joint institution of the Protestant Church in Hesse and Nassau (EKHN) and the Evangelical Church of Kurhessen-Waldeck (EKKW).
Ambassadors of Hope
The gathering also resonates strongly with the EMS vision of "Ambassadors of Hope." This vision reflects a shared commitment to embodying peace, reconciliation, and solidarity in local communities and across international borders. Together with its Korean member churches, EMS continues to support and advance the vital work of peacebuilding in a region that remains one of the world's most significant challenges for reconciliation.
More news on the Peace Convocation: Peace Convocation in Seoul: Renewed Call for Peace in Korea