He delivered a lecture titled “The Reconfiguration of International Geopolitics” at Corporación Universitaria Reformada (UniReformada), in Barranquilla, Colombia, on 27 February.
The UniReformada belongs to the Presbyterian Church of Colombia, a WCC member church.
Prove reflected on the centenary legacy of the 1925 Stockholm Conference on Life & Work and its enduring relevance in today’s fractured world order. The Stockholm conference shifted Christian engagement from doctrinal disputes toward collective responsibility for justice and peace in society.
He emphasized that the Life & Work movement that emerged from this conference laid the groundwork for the formation of the WCC and the establishment of its Commission of the Churches on International Affairs in 1946.
Highlighting the historical connection between ecumenism and internationalism, Prove recalled the collaboration between churches and the newly formed United Nations, including church contributions to drafting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
However, he warned that the post–World War II “rules-based international order” is now in deep crisis.
“Especially in the last few years and months, the flagrant violation of core principles of the UN Charter and of international humanitarian and human rights law have been almost normalized – in Ukraine, in Gaza, and in Sudan among other places,” he said.
He criticized the growing normalization of violations of humanitarian and human rights law, as well as political polarization, populist nationalism, and disinformation.
Prove urged churches not to succumb to hopelessness. Instead, inspired by the heritage of Stockholm 1925, he called for renewed strategic engagement, deeper ecumenical unity, and stronger interfaith dialogue.
“But now we must now also add the challenges posed by technological developments not yet dreamed of in 1925, including nuclear weapons, cyber-warfare, social media, and artificial intelligence,” he said. “Moreover, the global climate crisis represents an existential challenge of a kind not faced by any previous generation, and with profound implications for all future generations of life on Earth.”
Prove also highlighted Colombia’s constructive role in advancing more flexible, pragmatic and principled forms of international cooperation, particularly through initiatives promoting accountability to international law and action on fossil fuel transition.
Finally, he challenged young people to critically question divisive narratives promoted by political and religious leaders alike. Quoting the Beatitudes, he reminded the audience: “Blessed are the peacemakers… Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.
“In a time of fragmentation and confrontation,” he said, “the churches are called once again to embody unity, dialogue, and solidarity — and to bring that witness to the world.”