Humanitarian Assistance
1995 Mauritania, LWF/DWS environmental project, dune fixation and reafforestation, key project activities. © LWF
 
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
1997 LWF Ninth Assembly youth Presentation © LWF
 
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
What does this mean? © LWF
 
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.

General Secretariat Activities
The General Secretariat at the Geneva-based headquarters conducts the business of the Federation and carries out the decisions of the Assembly and Council. 

Click here for information on the General Secretary and Deputy General Secretary

The General Secretariat includes:

International Affairs & Human Rights
Slum children, Bangkok © LWF
 
Lutheran churches see the protection of human rights as a basic Christian concern. The LWF monitors human rights abuses around the world and, in consultation with its member churches, makes representations in relation to crucial issues.

The Federation also supports the human rights ministries of member churches with training, financial and other support. The LWF has supported and encouraged peace efforts in such areas as Central America, the Middle East, and places of actual or potential conflict in Africa. Pastoral delegations, staff visits, and consultations contribute to a global ecumenical ministry for justice and peace.

Ecumenical Relations
From left: The Rev. Dr Ishmael Noko and Bishop Dr Walter Kasper after signing the JDDJ in Augsburg, Germany. © LWF
 
The LWF is committed to the search for Christian unity. An important part of this involvement is the co-sponsoring over the years of bilateral dialogues on the global level—with the Anglican Communion, Orthodox Churches, Roman Catholic Church, World Alliance of Reformed Churches, and World Methodist Council. Ecumenical conversations have been held with the Baptist World Alliance, and Seventh-day Adventists. The LWF also seeks to further ecumenical involvement of its member churches on national and regional levels. There is close cooperation with the Lutheran Foundation for Interconfessional Research in Strasbourg, France.

Communication Services
Righteous Before God, LWF video on the signing of the JDDJ © LWF
 
The LWF Office for Communication Services (OCS) aims to enhance the image and identity of the Federation through information dissemination, production of publications, promotion and audio visual materials as well as editing, interpretation and translation services.

OCS provides a news and information service, Lutheran World Information (LWI), which includes special editions on the LWF''s thematic foci. In English and German, it is available via e-mail, in printed format, as PDF version and in the respective news sections of the LWF Web site.

Other activities include overall administration of the Web site and maintaining the LWF directory.