WACC (WORLD ASSOCIATION FOR CHRISTIAN COMMUNICATION)
WACC (World Association for Christian Communication) is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation working on communication rights to promote social justice. They offer guidance and support to people all over the world, regardless of religion, ethnicity, gender or culture.
They believe that everyone should have the right to communicate and to be in communication, just as they should have the right to food, housing and security. Through their strategic alliances they aim to be a catalyst for change for the common good, exchanging information, knowledge and experience in the field of communication.
WACC’s history dates back to 1950, but the organisation was not formally established until 1968 with a Board of Trustees when the former WACC (formerly World Association for Christian Broadcasting) merged with the North American committee, RAVEMCCO.
They have members from around the world, with whom they work locally, nationally and regionally. In this way they are able to address communication needs, strengthen capacities and advocate for communication rights, as well as address on-going challenges such as the need for gender-sensitive reporting, peacebuilding and participatory communication for development.
They are a global ecumenical association made up of both people of faith and institutions, and focus on understanding and participation based on the right of everyone to communicate openly and democratically about the decisions and events that affect their lives. By working with so many different members, they make progress towards their goals; wherever WACC has a presence, they seek to make a positive difference to the lives of individuals and communities.
Cooperation between Protestant, Anglican, Orthodox and Roman Catholic communicators is thus promoted, all while challenging Christian traditions to find the broadest possible base for communication activities. Cooperation between people of different faiths and ideologies is also encouraged.
Structure
The organisation has members in eight regional associations. Each WACC board meets annually to determine its priorities and commitments for the following year’s programme of activities:
- WACC Africa
- WACC Asia
- WACC Caribbean
- WACC Europe
- WACC Latin America
- WACC Middle East
- WACC North America
- WACC Pacific
Members
WACC members receive news and information through its publications and books, as well as its annual report and other materials. Regional associations also produce newsletters. Members are invited to participate in regional and global activities throughout the year.
Membership is open to individuals, churches, church-related agencies, as well as media producers, educational institutions, secular communication organisations and anyone sympathetic to WACC’s mission and principles.
Work
They offer guidance on communication policies, interpret developments in global communication and discuss the consequences of these changes for churches and communities around the world. They also work for the empowerment of women and assist in the training of Christian communicators.
They work on projects to support communication rights and the development of communication. You can find out more about WACC’s objectives and goals by reading their annual report.
Projects with Obs
Related news
Combating misinformation and disinformation through religion in the African context
We participate in the meeting of the European Regional Executive Committee of WACC
Migration and communication at the Associated Church Press online conference
Observatory’s ‘Digital frontiers’ project receives Canadian grant