At the invitation of the National Christian Council of Sri Lanka, and in collaboration with the Christian Conference of Asia, the gathering marks a pivotal moment in the work of the reference group, as participants move beyond virtual discussions to engage in deeper dialogue, strengthen mutual understanding, and chart a collective course for the coming years.

The Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation, and Unity serves as a guiding framework for the one ecumenical movement, calling churches and partners to journey together in addressing global challenges. Rooted in an ecumenical theology of companionship, the pilgrimage embodies shared commitments to peace, solidarity, and transformative action.

“The in-person gathering in Sri Lanka is a significant opportunity for us to engage firsthand with communities and churches working for justice and reconciliation,” said Rev. Karin van den Broeke, from the Protestant Church in the Netherlands, co-moderator of the reference group. “By walking alongside those facing challenges, we deepen our understanding and strengthen our shared commitment to a pilgrimage that is not just symbolic but actively transformative.”

The reference group plays a key role in shaping and advising the direction of this initiative. Comprising key members from the WCC central committee, leadership of the programme committee, moderators of WCC commissions, and regional ecumenical partners, the group helps to ensure that the pilgrimage remains dynamic, relevant, and impactful.

The Sri Lanka gathering is designed as a pilgrimage encounter with people and churches.

On the first day, the reference group will join the Christian Conference of Asia International Consultation on the Emerging Geopolitical Reconfiguration of South Asia to learn more about India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

Every afternoon, the reference group will have an encounter with the contemporary challenges facing Sri Lanka to learn how the churches are engaged in community-based reconciliation, interfaith peace-building, migration, and other emerging issues.