World Student Christian Federation welcomes new leadership, concludes virtual assembly

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The World Student Christian Federation held its Extraordinary Virtual General Assembly from 29-31 July after postponing its in-person general assembly, originally scheduled for June 2021 in Berlin, for 2022. 

The assembly was considered an “extraordinary” gathering to enable the federation to elect its next leadership. The gathering also aimed to enhance spiritual life through biblical reflection on the theme “Looking for Justice in a world that is suffering.” 

The federation elected officers for the next quadrennium and welcomed the recently-elected general secretary and newly appointed executive committee members from the regions. The event was held in a recently launched virtual platform created for the future of virtual governance meetings, programs and e-learning initiatives and through zoom live session meetings.

Seventy-five voting members from 67 countries attended the sessions. Participants were able to reflect on the federation’s global witness for justice and peace, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The federation welcomed the new chairperson, Geevarghese Mor Coorilos from India, moderator of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Commission on World Mission and Evangelism, co-vice chairpersons, Pavlina Manavska from Macedonia and Ramy Farouk from Egypt, member of the WCC’s ECHOS Commission on Youth,  and the elected honorary treasurer Ebere Ubesie from Nigeria. 

The Extraordinary Virtual General Assembly also welcomed general secretary Marcelo Leites from Uruguay, appointed by the executive committee in February 2021 and received the incoming executive committee members for the next quadrennium, Marte Sappé Griot and Patrick Holly (Europe Region), Malena Lozada Montanari (Latin America and the Caribbean Region), Yasmina Rishmawi and Paula Rafaat (Middle East Region); Willy Masaka and Facia Harris (Africa Region); and Andika Mongolala and Thi Aung Hnin Wai (Asia and Pacific Region).

WCC, oikoumene.org