IV WOCATI CONGRESS PRESS RELEASE

The World Conference of Associations of Theological Institutions (WOCATI) helds its fourth world congress from 31st May until 7th of June in Thessaloniki, Greece. WOCATI was inaugurated in a global conference in June 1989 in Yogyakarta, Indonesia in cooperation with the ETE programme of WCC.
The world forum of associations and accrediting organizations of theological schools from all over the world will discuss key issues of the future of ecumenical theological education in the 21st century under the theme
“Theological Education – A Radical Reappraisal”.
Organized by the President of WOCATI, Prof. Petros Vassiliadis from Theological Faculty of Thessaloniki, and the Programme on Ecumenical Theological Education of WCC in Geneva (Dr. Dietrich Werner), the congress will bring together more then 60 participants from Asia, Africa, Pacific, Caribbean, Europe, Latin America and the USA. For the first time also the Chinese Christian Council is represented.
Key speakers for the congress will be: Prof. Dr. Ulrich Duchrow, University of Heidelberg (“The Challenge of Globalization to Theological Education”); Prof. Dr. Isabel Phiri (“Major Challenges for African Women Theologians in Theological Education”), University of KwaZulu Natal, Pietermaritzburg South Africa, Prof. Dr. Huan Po Ho, Chan Jung Christian University Tainan (“Contextualization of Theological Education in South East Asia”), and Prof. Ioan Sauca, Ecumenical Institute of Bossey (“Theological Education in Modern and Post-modern Societies. an Orthodox Perspective”).
In addition to these keynote addresses the following short papers will be presented: “The Need for Change in Theological Education” (Prof. Petros Vassiliadis, WOCATI President/COTS). “The Challenge of Globalization to Theological Education” (Prof. Ulrich Duchrow, KAIROS). “Twenty Years of WOCATI” (Prof. Hyacinth Boothe, WOCATI EC/CATS). “The Challenge Of Theological Education In The Context Of Globalization” (Dr. Magdi S. Gendi, ATIME). “Ecumenical Theological Education as Agent Of Transformation” (Dr. Thu En Yu, ATESEA). “Doing Theology Down Under” (Prof. Raymond  Nobbs, ANZATS) .  “The Challenge of Inter-Religious Dialogue and Praxis to Theological Education. The African Experience” (Prof. Emmanuel Martey, CATI). “The Challenge for Developing Contextual Theology in Pluralistic Society of Indonesia” (Dr. Daniel Nuhamara, PERSETIA). “Theological Education in the 21st Century – A Radical Re-Appraisal From Caribbean Perspective” Dr. Geoffrey Mayers, CATS). “Les Theologies des Eglises Africaines Independentes” (Prof. Godefroid Kä Mana Kangudie,  Aota). “The Manifesto ‘Por Una Educacion Teologica de Calidad’” (Dr. Matthias Preiswerk, SPT). “Impact of Globalization in Latin American Theological Education” (Dr. Nestor Oscar Miguez, CETELA). “Theological Education in China” (Yuan Shiguo, CCC). “Master Programs on Ecumenical Theology” (Dr. Werner, Ete - Prof. Martzelos, AUTH). “The Global Ethic Project” (Prof. Christoph Stueckelberger, Chairman of the Project). “ATS – Targeted Areas of Work 2004-2010” (Prof. Namsoon Kang, WOCATI Vice-President/ATS). “Paradigm Shift in Theological Education in India: Advocacy to Solidarity” (Prof. Dr. James Massey, BTESSC). “Perspectives of Ecumenical Cooperation in Theological Education in Eastern And Central Europe” (Dr. Vladimir Fedorov, ARTECE). “WAATI–Prospects and Problems” (Dr. Sunday Oyalana, WAATI). “The Volos Initiative Ecumenical Theological Education” (Anastasia Vassiliadou, Mth, Volos Academy).  “Diversified Theological Education – Equipping All God’s People” (Prof. Francis Ross Kinsler, ETE). “The Challenges Facing Myanmar Theological Education On Becoming Ecumenical Theological Education” (Peter Joseph, ATEM). “Theological Education in Brazil and the Work of Aste” (Prof. Bortolleto Filho,  ASTE). “Paradigm Shift in Theological Education in Southern and Central Africa and its Relevance to Ministerial Formation 1980-2010” (Prof. James Nathaniel Amanze, ATISCA). “Religious Education In Europe” (Prof Erik Eynikel, TRES).
During the conference also the 50th anniversary of the Programme on Ecumenical Theological Education of the WCC, which was founded as Theological Education Fund (TEF) at the World Missions Conference of the International Missionary Council (IMC) in Accra, Ghana 1957/1958, will be commemorated. Several former staff members like Prof. Dr. Ross Kinsler and Prof. Dr. John Pobee will address the conference at this occasion. The WCC will be presented also by one of its Presidents, Prof. Ofelia Ortega from Matanzas Theological Seminary in Cuba.
 The conference is expected to set new priorities for international cooperation and dialogue for ecumenical theological education, for promoting funding in theological education as well as for WOCATI as an umbrella organization. The conference is also seen as a strategic contribution for the Edinburgh 2010 process which in one of its focal areas aims at bringing together new perspectives for theological education in the 21st century.