The consultation aimed to discern together strategic priorities, expectations, and responsibilities for ecumenical cooperation, collaboration and responsibility, as well as explore the distinctive value, strategic added value and transformative potential of ecumenical cooperation among those committed to ecumenical witness and action. Rev. Prof Dr Jerry Pillay, general secretary of the World Council of Churches, stated at the beginning, “Our coming together is not merely institutional – it is profoundly theological, missional, and urgent in light of the world we are called to serve.” He called for moving from cooperation to intentional and integral collaboration. “One of the pressing challenges we face is fragmentation of voice, of resources, and at times, of strategy,” he said. “The credibility of our witness depends on coherence, and collaboration,” he said. “Coherence and collaboration between theological reflection and humanitarian action; between advocacy at the global level and accompaniment at the grassroots level; between institutional structures and the lived realities of churches and communities.” “This does not require uniformity, but it does require intentional alignment,” he said. “I believe we are living in a kairos moment. The call before us is not institutional survival but faithful discipleship in a wounded world.” In calling for collaboration, he said, “May we have the courage not only to collaborate, but to be transformed by collaboration.” Rev. Dr Anne Burghardt, general secretary of the Lutheran World Federation, spoke about a global context that requires a global response. “What is clear is that power centers are shifting and the global situation may look very different depending on from where you look at it and which values you hold,” she said. “Several actors have the feeling that they have not been invited to the table.” Today, when the secular multilateral system is weakening, Burghardt suggested that faith-based Christian actors have a particular responsibility to join efforts in protecting human dignity. “We must also take a very clear stance against any instrumentalization of Christianity, particularly when Christianity is used to promote disregard for human dignity,” she said. Rudelmar Bueno de Faria, general secretary of the ACT Alliance, described the consultation as a space for honest and forward-looking dialogue. “Historically, ecumenical cooperation has been very reactive to the political and social dynamics,” he said. “This meeting is about a visionary strategic conversation at the leadership level.” Those present are trying to see the context of the world in a wider way, de Faria added. "It’s a starting point for a longer process,” he said. “What it’s not about: it is not a decision-making consultation but a first step to a longer conversation.” | 
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