The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) connects Lutheran churches throughout the world, currently 140 churches in 78 countries with a total membership of more than 66 Million. The LWF is active in humanitarian assistance, mission, development and theological work.

LWF Youth is the youth...
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The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) connects Lutheran churches throughout the world, currently 140 churches in 78 countries with a total membership of more than 66 Million. The LWF is active in humanitarian assistance, mission, development and theological work.

LWF Youth is the youth desk, based in Geneva, Switzerland. We encourage the full participation of young people in all aspects of the life of the churches, including decision making. We support young people to participate in international conferences and their societies.
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Humanitarian Assistance
The Department for World Service (DWS) serves as the LWF’s humanitarian and development agency. It works in 36 countries through four regional and 15 country programs and emergency operations with around 40 international staff members, who work alongside 2,700...
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Humanitarian Assistance
The Department for World Service (DWS) serves as the LWF’s humanitarian and development agency. It works in 36 countries through four regional and 15 country programs and emergency operations with around 40 international staff members, who work alongside 2,700 local staff. The LWF associate programs employ an additional 3,000 staff.

Guided by its Strategic Plan, DWS is meeting the needs of people irrespective of race, sex, creed, nationality, or political conviction. DWS works to foster awareness, advocacy, solidarity and action at local, national, and international levels, on a wide range of human rights, humanitarian, and development issues. DWS responds to emergencies in collaboration with Action by Churches Together (ACT) International, a worldwide alliance of churches and agencies.

In 2006, total resources administered on program and emergency support amounted to USD 90 million (DWS programs USD 70.8 million and USD 19 million for associate programs).

Mission & Development
The Department for Mission and Development (DMD) works with the member churches as they endeavor to create, maintain, and develop ministries that integrate proclamation, service (diakonia) and advocacy for justice. Church leaders and workers, clergy and lay, are trained for witness and ministry through LWF sponsorship.

Between 200 to 250 projects and programs are carried out annually for the benefit of churches and communities. Of special focus are strengthening the Lutheran communion through accompaniment, communication, and initiatives within mission and diakonia. High priority is given to initiatives on women’s empowerment, youth participation, sustainable development, and HIV and AIDS.

Theology
The Department for Theology and Studies (DTS) probes basic theological, ecclesial, ethical, and interfaith questions that confront churches and diaconal work of the Lutheran communion in carrying out ministry and mission in today's pluralistic contexts. Staff carry out this work mainly through extended study programs (especially “Theology in the Life of the Church”), which result in publications that are intended to undergird theological work and challenge churches theologically, encourage the deepening of Lutheran theology and practices in particular contexts, and to contribute to ecumenical work. Timely, urgent theological questions facing the communion are also addressed as they arise.
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LWF Youth is the youth desk of the LWF. Our mission statement states: "To work with and for youth, as well as with and for LWF member churches, to promote the full inclusion of youth and youth concerns in the life and decision-making of church and society in close cooperation with other relevant...
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LWF Youth is the youth desk of the LWF. Our mission statement states: "To work with and for youth, as well as with and for LWF member churches, to promote the full inclusion of youth and youth concerns in the life and decision-making of church and society in close cooperation with other relevant networks."
We do that my working through several programs:
- The Youth Liaisons connect young people from the member churches with each other through the use of the Internet and other media.
- "Engage: Global Training for young leaders" educates young leaders to become active in youth participation in their churches.
- An internship program brings young leaders for ten months to Geneva to work here in the secretariat.
- The exchange program tries to send young people to international conferences to raise their voices there.

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