FAQs
1. What is Act for Peace?
Act for Peace is the new name for the international aid agency of the National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA). Previously this agency was known as Christian World Service. Act for Peace is governed by the NCCA Christian World Service Commission.
2. Why the choice of name?
The Bible calls us all to act for peace. The new name reflects our renewed focus on working in conflict-affected areas. By supporting Act for Peace, churches and individuals across Australia will help to reduce poverty, prevent conflict, protect refugees and empower communities. Thus they will build the foundations of peace.
The 2007 Christmas Bowl survey demonstrated that after 13 years of being called Christian World Service, there was very little recognition of the name. Even fewer people who responded to the survey knew what Christian World Service’s role was or how the Christmas Bowl is associated with it.
After more than a year of planning and reflection by our commission and the National Council of Churches in Australia Executive body, the change to Act for Peace was selected as an active and strong title that clearly states the organisation’s intentions and work it carries out with partners in areas affected by extreme poverty and conflict around the world.
It is our hope that this name will inspire people and churches to take ownership and foster a strong sense of involvement as we contribute to this growing work through our initiatves such as the Christmas Bowl, Act for Peace Partners (regular giving) and emergency response.
3. What happens to Christmas Bowl with this new name change?
Christmas Bowl is the annual appeal of Act for Peace and remains unchanged. The well-known and well-respected Christmas Bowl celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2008.
4. What happened to Partners4Peace?
The Partners4Peace Regular Giving program remains unchanged other than a name change to Act for Peace Partners. All gifts are still allocated to a different project partner each month and supporters still receive a monthly Peace Mail report. The reason for this name change is simply for clarity. We apologise for any confusion this may have caused in the short-term but by clearly identifying the program under the banner of Act for Peace, we will hopefully strengthen support in the long-term.
5. Did we miss the launch of the new name?
There was no ‘official’ launch. The change was announced in our newsletters throughout 2008. Further information about the change is being communicated through the new website:
www.actforpeace.org.au, through publications such as the Christmas Bowl kit, 2009 Calendar and Summer Newsletter and via the offices of the State Ecumenical Councils. Further information is available via Free Call
1800 025 101.
6. Any Further Questions? We'd love to hear from you!
