The World Council of Churches (WCC) has invited applications for workshops, exhibitions and side events for its upcoming 10th Assembly to be held in Busan, Korea. Proposals must be submitted by Oct. 31, 2012.

The WCC assembly will take place from Oct. 30-Nov. 8, 2013, addressing the theme “God of life, lead us to justice and peace.” The event brings together the fellowship of member churches, with ecumenical partners, to reaffirm their unity in Christ, strengthen their witness in the world and to plan their future together.

The series of workshops, exhibitions and side events are part of the assembly madang. The term madang describes the “courtyard” of a traditional Korean home. It implies a space for encounter, sharing, celebration, fellowship and welcoming a stranger, underlining the spirit with which assembly programs will be prepared.

The madang program will promote the exchange of gifts and experiences among participants through workshops, exhibitions, special events, performances, theatre, visual arts, spaces for discussion and a cultural evening.

About 80 workshops will be offered at the WCC assembly. These workshops will be held over a four day period during the assembly, and each workshop’s duration will be 90 minutes in length.

Further background information as well as a proposal form can be downloaded from the WCC assembly website (http://wcc2013.info/programme/madang/). The deadline is Oct. 31, 2012.