From the Sustainable Development to the Sustainable Community: the World Council of Churches’ Contribution to the Concept of Sustainability

Abstract

At the turn of 20th and 21st century political activities are being inspired by two main ideas: the concept of ‘civil society’ and ‘sustainable development’. The latter has recently become a background of the United Nations strategy to support international cooperation regarding social and ecological problems, in particular to eradicate poverty. The UN’s ac- tivity is reviewed by the World Council of Churches, the biggest ecumenical organization. The WCC, when declaring its support to all initiatives striving to eradicate poverty and to foster peaceful political relations, suggests its own concept of ‘sustanaible community’ and the concept of ‘economy of life’. In this sense the ecumenical movement distinguishes itself from activities of secular political actors and imposes on Christians a task to promote new ideas and models of social life, inspired by the biblical teachings. This article defines the notion of sustainable development and discusses the main stages of its unfolding. Furthermore, the paper highlights the World Council of Churches’ criticism of the concept of sustainable development and scrutinizes a contribution of the WCC to the global debate on new political and social philosophy