WCC News: WCC, Armenia Roundtable Foundation explore stronger collaboration

The World Council of Churches (WCC) welcomed Prof. Dr Karen Nazaryan, executive director of the Armenia Roundtable Foundation, to the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva for a series of strategic meetings aimed at strengthening cooperation in ecumenical diakonia and social development. WCC Armenia Round Table staff members, in the yard of St. Mesrop Mashtots church in   Oshakan, together with Rev. Vazgen Hovhannisyan, accepted the household goods provided by the UNHCR for the forcibly displaced people of Artsakh residing in the region. Displaced people living in Oshakan were quick to help, and they were the first to receive refrigerators, gas stoves and sleeping bags-blankets. Photo: Armenia Round Table Facebook page 05 February 2025 During his visit, Nazaryan met with WCC leadership, members of the Life, Justice, and Peace department, and the Reference Group on Ecumenical Diakonia. The discussions reflected on how diakonia—rooted in Christ's love and justice—continues to transform lives, particularly through the roundtable model in Armenia. Opportunities for deeper collaboration emerged, including an Eastern European consultation on diakonia and expanded eco-diakonia initiatives between WCC and the foundation. Nazaryan also underscored the growing challenge of addiction and substance abuse in Armenia, inviting WCC to partner in advocacy, training, treatment, and pastoral accompaniment. Proposals were made to expand diakoniatraining and peer learning, strengthening the global network of faith-based service. Reflecting on the visit, Rev. Dr Kenneth Mtata, WCC programme director for Life, Justice, and Peace, emphasized the profound impact of the foundation’s work: “For nearly four decades, the Armenia Roundtable Foundation has embodied the church’s mission to serve. Through structured diaconal engagement, they have demonstrated how faith communities can respond to crises—whether conflict, economic instability, or humanitarian need—with resilience and hope. WCC looks forward to deepening this journey together, sharing these valuable lessons throughout the global ecumenical family.” Prof. Dr. Karen Nazaryan (center), executive director of the Armenia Roundtable Foundation, together with Rev. Dr. Kenneth Mtata, WCC programme director for Life, Justice, and Peace, and the Living Planet programme staff at the Ecumenical Center in Geneva, Switzerland. Photo: Gloria Charles/WCC The Armenia Roundtable Foundation continues to play a vital role in social diakonia in Armenia, collaborating with ACT Alliance, ecumenical partners, and the United Nations. The foundation supports humanitarian aid, education, job creation, and sustainable development, especially in remote areas. The foundation also collaborates with theological institutions to prepare churches for diaconal leadership. Nadia Balgobin, WCC advisor on Ecumenical Diakonia and Sustainable Development, emphasized the significance of the collaboration: "Through strengthened cooperation, WCC and the Armenia Roundtable Foundation seek to expand training opportunities, scale up best practices, and enhance ecumenical diakonia efforts in Armenia and the region. The visit of the foundation director reflects strong leadership and commitment to diakonia,as he has been a pioneer in integrating diaconal work as a core mission of the church.” Document “Called To Transformation”document on Ecumenical Diakonia Diakonia and ecumenical solidarity 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 352 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