Federation Updates
Dear Senior Friends,
As this Christmas season arrives, I find myself thinking about everything we have lived together these past years—our challenges, our commitments, the quiet strength of this community—and about how deeply your presence has meant to the Federation.
The world our students inhabit is marked by conflict, democratic fragility, ecological disruption, and rising fundamentalisms. Yet across every region, young people continue to choose what is profoundly countercultural:
Faith as liberation.
Solidarity as resistance.
Ecumenism as a path toward peace with justice.
And it is your support—your trust, your encouragement, your generosity—that allows this witness to continue, even in the most difficult places. As we prepare to enter 2026, this shared vocation feels more urgent than ever. To begin the year with the strength and clarity our movements need, we depend on a final gesture of support before 31 December 2025.
JOIN US:
Christmas Global Prayer for Peace + Global Peace Campaign Launch “Reclaiming Otherness- Youth Building Peace with Justice”
Friday, 19 December — 12:00 GMT
This campaign was shaped by the experiences, wounds, and courage of students living through exclusion, violence, and social fragmentation. It is also nourished by spiritual and ethical traditions that have shaped WSCF across generations. It carries a simple conviction: Peace requires recognizing the Other again—seeing the face, the dignity, the story that conflict tries to erase.
Launching it at Christmas reminds us that God enters history through the vulnerable and unseen, calling us to rediscover encounter as a transformative act.
We look forward to your presence!
PRESS RELEASE
WSCF Prepares for International Peacebuilding Training in Alexandria, Egypt
The World Student Christian Federation (WSCF) is moving forward with preparations for the in-person phase of its International Project: Peace, Dialogue and Cooperation in the Middle East, to be held in Alexandria, Egypt, from October 10 to 13, 2025.
This project, launched earlier this year, aims to equip ecumenical students and youth from the Middle East with practical tools for interfaith dialogue, reconciliation, and grassroots peacebuilding. The initiative brings together +25 selected participants from the region (Lebanon, Egypt, Syria, Palestine, Jordan, and Iraq) and builds on the Federation’s global commitment to justice, peace, ecumenism, and youth leadership.
The WSCF Global Event 2024 in Lusaka, Zambia, brought together delegates and participants for a series of activities, including the Africa Regional Committee Meeting, the Ecumenical Interregional Training Program on Climate and Economic Justice, and the Executive Committee Meeting.
The event began with the Africa Regional Committee Meeting (Dec 3–4), where delegates from SCMs across Africa gathered to address the theme "Confronting Challenges and Rebuilding the Student Ministry in Africa." The meeting included leadership elections, strategic planning, and reflections on the region’s progress, with contributions from WSCF General Secretary Marcelo Leites on the global Strategic Plan performance and other regional leaders.
The Ecumenical Interregional Training Program (Dec 5–7) followed, focused on equipping young leaders with the tools to advocate for climate and economic justice. Activities included a public opening event at the University of Zambia Chapel with cultural performances, keynote addresses, and interfaith prayers, followed by intensive workshops on advocacy strategies and theological perspectives. The event concluded with a collaborative creation of GLOCAL advocacy plans and a celebration of cultural diversity.
Webinar to commemorate International Women's Day
The World Student Christian Federation, in collaboration with the Student Christian Movement of Indonesia (GMKI), hosted a landmark webinar to commemorate International Women's Day, underlining the theme “Leading with Inclusion: Empowering Women Leaders at the Forefront.”
The objective of this global dialogue was to discuss the barriers women face in leadership and strategies to overcome them, particularly within patriarchal societies. It emphasized the critical need for supportive networks to foster gender inclusivity. The event was attended by more than 70 participants from over 5 countries.
A Capacity Building Workshop on Financial Management was held on September 14 as part of the broader capacity-building initiatives within the WSCF's political and executive bodies. The training was guided by Triayu Kodrat, Finance Officer of Kerk in Actie, a partner of the WSCF, Jean-Luc De La Soujeole, outgoing Finance Officer of the WSCF, and Marcelo Leites, WSCF General Secretary.
On December 13, we embarked on an inspiring and celebratory journey as we hosted the Senior Friend Virtual Christmas Event. This gathering highlighted the historical identity of WSCF, affirming the legacy of ecumenical leadership in today's pursuit of justice. The three focal points of the event were legacy, impact, and relevance.
Legacy: During the event, Salters Sterling from Ireland, Betsy Anderson from Canada, and Prof. Bungaran from Indonesia, all esteemed Senior Friends of the WSCF, shared captivating stories and anecdotes that delved into WSCF's identity and the legacy of ecumenical leadership.
