The General Assembly has set out key directions for the next four years, in a synthesis report which draws on the Assembly’s work of visioning and strategising over the last ten days.

The synthesis report that was received today, highlights common themes and priorities that have arisen from the Assembly’s Commissions and plenaries. It also draws on the shared experience of the Assembly’s forums, discussions, worship, Bible studies, keynote speeches, exposures and a multitude of insights gained from interactions between student movement representatives.

Key areas for attention by the Federation over the next four years include auditing gender justice and leadership structures, improving communications and networking, prioritising solidarity and advocacy work and strengthening the Biblical and spiritual underpinning of the Federation’s work among students.

A key source of specific ideas and practical goals for the Federation’s work in the next quadrennium were the Assembly’s four commissions on Ecumenical Leadership Formation, Advocacy and Solidarity, Biblical and Theological issues and Capacity Building. The synthesis document names five common themes that have emerged from the Commissions’ work,

“Of particular note were interfaith engagement; environment and climate change; the Bible; economic justice (poverty, food crisis, fuel); diversity and discrimination (ethnic, indigenous, sexual, religious).”

The synthesis document lists details of specific projects to be undertaken by the Federation at the global level, in the national movements and in regional WSCF life. One specific plan of action is to mobilise programmes and resources that increase capacity building and dialogue skills amongst the member movements. Detailed attention is paid to a planned broad-based assessment of gender justice issues within the Federation, which will look at programmatic and structural expressions of women’s empowerment and men-women partnership.

Communications strategies were highlighted which aim to improve co-ordinated discussion, programming and exchange of experiences between movements and regions. The 2008-2012 strategy will focus on expanding the global database, improving the www.wscfglobal.org website and establishing virtual forums for WSCF.

The synthesis report was received by the Assembly with the understanding that specific directives for action will be further refined by the incoming 2008-2012 Executive Committee (ExCo), which meets for the first time immediately following the General Assembly on August 10, 2008. The incoming ExCo will draw on all the decisions and resolutions of the Assembly and will pay particular attention to the recommendations made in final reports of the four Assembly Commissions.

The synthesis document follows in full below.

34th General Assembly Synthesis Report

"It will happen afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; And your sons and your daughters will prophesy. Your old people will dream dreams. Your young people will see visions. And also on the servants and on the handmaids in those days, I will pour out my Spirit," Joel 2:28-29

The 34th General Assembly of the World Student Christian Federation met in Montreal, Canada,
August 1-9 to gather students from around the world to share stories of God’s work in their lives and their work in God’s world; to review and assess the Federation’s work; to re-envision the mission of the WSCF at all levels for the coming quadrennium and beyond; and to call forth a new generation of ecumenical leaders.

WSCF in good condition

The General Assembly found the WSCF to be in good condition at the end of the 2004-2008 quadrennium. Four new movements were affiliated, including Brazil, Timor Leste, Mexico and Iraq. The General Assembly received reports of active programs in the regions and at the interregional level.

North America Region

In particular the Assembly celebrated the reopening of the North America Regional Office and the reforming of the North America Regional Committee.

Financial stabilization

The report of the Honorary Treasurer showed a stabilization of the Federation’s finances after the difficulties of the 1999-2004 quadrennium.

Vibrant and diverse movements

Testimonies by national movements in Myanmar, Zimbabwe, Iraq, Philippines, Belarus and Colombia throughout the Assembly reflected the vibrant life of our 105 affiliated and associated movements.

Assembly engages students on many levels

Dynamic worship reflected the diverse theological perspectives and liturgical traditions of our constituents.

Bible studies brought together small cross-cultural and inter-regional groups of delegates to explore the relevance of scripture to issues of our day.

Keynote speeches by James Forbes, Rubem Alves, Patricia Kirkpatrick, Nancy Ruth, Gregory Baum and John Coleman challenged delegates to listen for the movement of the Spirit in their lives and take up their calling to be prophets in the world today.

The Assembly engaged ministries and communities in Montreal through church visits and exposure programs.
The Women’s Pre-Assembly on “Your young women shall see visions” included a trip to the Canadian Senate chambers in Ottawa for a discussion about women, power, and politics.
The Men’s Pre-Assembly took up the challenge of “Men Against Violence.”

Fifty Senior Friends gathered from five regions to dream dreams and explore ways of supporting the WSCF and this student generation.

Common themes emerge from Assembly Commissions

Four Commissions met throughout the General Assembly: Raising Up Prophets (Ecumenical Leadership Formation); Prophesy in Action (Advocacy and Solidarity); Radical Renewal (Biblical and Theological Reflection in the 21st Century); Making the Vision Real (Capacity Building in the Student Christian Movement). Commission reports were received and the full Assembly engaged in a process of discernment about common visions and goals.
Common themes emerged from the work of the Commissions. Of particular note were interfaith engagement; environment and climate change; the Bible; economic justice (poverty, food crisis, fuel); diversity and discrimination (ethnic, indigenous, sexual, religious).

Federation affirms value of annual themes

The General Assembly encourages the adoption of annual themes from this list for the 2008-2012 quadrennium as the themes used in the previous quadrennium were effective in creating common programs and dialogue. We encourage action to deepen the interaction between the global, regional and national levels of the Federation.

Strengthening of communications and networking

Strengthening communication and networking will allow the organization of coordinated discussion, programming and exchange of experiences between movements and regions. These may include expanded database, improved website and virtual forums.

Global solidarity and advocacy role affirmed

Of particular importance would be the formation of a global solidarity and advocacy committee to enhance the Federation’s work on prophesy in action.

Emphasis on Gender Justice and Dialogue skills

In addition to the adoption of annual themes, the General Assembly urges a commitment to two key projects during the upcoming quadrennium. First, a gender justice assessment of the work of the Federation at all levels should be conducted to evaluate the current status of our work for women’s empowerment and gender justice. The Gender Justice Assessment proposal received by the Assembly outlines a comprehensive process for considering both the programmatic and structural expressions of our work in this area. The Gender Justice Assessment should also include an evaluation and action plan in relationship to leadership structures and models/co-secretary and leadership model.

Secondly, methodologies should be developed throughout the quadrennium for improving skills for dialogue in a global community. The difficulties experienced at this General Assembly reveal a need for improved skills, strategies and guidelines for dialogue that leads to understanding, respect and reconciliation. Dialogue skills are one example of the need for increased capacity building at all levels of the Federation.

Ecumenical leadership formation

In addition, continuing attention must be paid to ecumenical leadership formation and the preparation of a new generation of students for leadership in church, ecumenical networks and the larger society.

Staff leadership audit

An internal audit and evaluation of staffing configurations and needs should be conducted. Job descriptions for IRO staff and regional staff should be evaluated, updated and coordinated. The goal should be sustainable and effective leadership structures. In addition the roles of students, staff and senior friends should be reassessed to ensure mutual accountability and support.

Contribution of Senior Friends

The General Assembly celebrates the intergenerational dialogue that we have experienced during our meeting. Senior Friends from every generation stretching back to the 18th General Assembly in Bièvres in 1938 gathered in a parallel meeting and offered us reflections on their experiences in the WSCF, including the influential Turku student conference of 1968. In their stories our generation was able to see not only our history but our future. Their participation was inspiring and their wisdom deepened our conversations. We encourage our Student Christian Movements to invite senior friends into these conversations for mutual transformation, support and growth.

Standing as prophets

Throughout our time together, we have felt the Spirit of God moving in our midst and inspiring us to dream dreams, see visions and stand as prophets in our ecumenical movement, churches and troubled world.

Ut Omnes Unum Sint.