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"True peace is not merely the absence of tension: it is the presence of justice."
– Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

History:

Ecumenical Advocacy Days for Global Peace with Justice began in 2003 as a gathering of 400 religious advocates concerned about U.S. foreign policy in Africa and the Middle East. In the second year, 2004, over 600 religious advocates from 41 states and 15 countries came together to build bridges across issues faced by the poor and disenfranchised in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America. The 2005 Advocacy Days (March 11-14, 2005) added a fifth region, the United States, and also broadened to cover Economic Justice, Environmental Justice, and Global Security issues. The 2006 conference, "Challenging Disparity: The Promise of God - The Power of Solidarity" was one of the largest national gatherings of U.S. grassroots religious activists, and brought together over 950 grassroots advocates, policy experts, politicians, theologians, organizers, and students to shape a new positive, progressive religious vision for U.S. policy. In 2007, conferees gathered for the fifth annual Ecumenical Advocacy Days conference. Our theme, “and How are the Children?” inspired nearly 900 religious advocates to call on Congress to make the needs of children the center of the 2007 legislative agenda.

The 2009 Ecumenical Advocacy Days gathering was a huge success! More than 800 participants gathered over the March 13 weekend to ask Congress to advocate for abundance in our world and that it be allocated in a way that is fair and just for all creation. The Rev. Dr. Michael Kinnamon, General Secretary of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA, welcomed conference participants who replied with great applause after citing the election of a new administration in Washington, "which makes it possible for us to play offense, not just defense." Sean McDonagh S.S.C., Ecologist and Roman Catholic Columban priest, provided the opening session keynote address warning participants that climate change is “the most serious reality facing the planet today, and facing that reality must be the most important religious issue." McDonagh explained that it was not too late to prevent a planet-wide catastrophe, "but serious action must begin now." The closing worship service on Sunday was led by the Reverend John McCullough, Executive Director and CEO of Church World Service. Rev. McCullough reminded participants of the churches responsibility to end global warming. He called on participants to “engage in responsible behavior.” Further explaining that, “It is not enough for us to lift theological and moral platitudes, we need to also lead by example and put our faith into action in order to avert this existential threat to our children and grandchildren – it means that on a personal level I have to do even the simplest of things like driving less, turning off unnecessary lights, unplugging unused appliances, controlling waste, and adjusting thermostats according to season.” The conference culminated on Monday when conference attendees participated in over 300 visits with their members of Congress.