WCC news: Interreligious Summer Course begins at Ecumenical Institute at Bossey

The residential phase of an Interreligious Summer Course began 29 June at the Ecumenical Institute at Bossey and will run through 18 July.  Photo: WCC 1 July 2026 An earlier distance learning component ran from 1-21 June.  The Interreligious Summer Course of the Ecumenical Institute at Bossey, with credits from the University of Geneva, is organized by the faculty of Bossey and experts from the World Council of Churches (WCC) in partnership with local Jewish and Muslim partners.  For Prof. Dr Angeliki Ziaka, WCC programme executive for Interreligious Dialogue and Cooperation and coordinator of this year’s edition, “bringing together young people from around the world, each rooted in an Abrahamic tradition and engaging with the realities of our time, is a deeply meaningful undertaking. Within the unique setting of Bossey, these encounters create space for exchange, reflection, and genuine human connection.” “The hope is that this experience of dialogue and mutual understanding will extend beyond Bossey, carried by these young people into the communities where they live and work, as well as into broader interreligious networks”, she added. “In this way, it may help create conditions in which faith can be lived freely and responsibly, not as a force that narrows human understanding, but as one that broadens it, upholds human dignity, and safeguards every human life”, added Ziaka. The students will study through an interdisciplinary approach linking theory and practice, focusing on the theme “Creation in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.”  As they strengthen their knowledge of three Abrahamic religions—Christianity, Islam, and Judaism—they will also deepen their understanding of the challenges of interreligious dialogue and engagement. The curriculum emphasizes learning to encounter others in mutual respect, to challenge stereotypes, and to discover how religions respond to contemporary issues. Though the focus is on Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, the outcome of the study is expected to be helpful in relationships with other faith traditions as well. The seven students, all of whom represent one of the three Abrahamic faiths, are from Malaysia, Nigeria, Russia, South Africa, and United States.  Photo gallery Learn more about the Ecumenical Institute at Bossey See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 356 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland