International Executive

Each country has its own National Committee and is part of a regional grouping. Every four years representatives of these National Committees gather in a different area of the world: Sweden 1968, Thailand 1970, Mexico 1974, Zambia 1978, Germany 1982, USA 1986, Jamaica 1990, Australia 1995, South Africa 1999, England 2003, Canada 2007 and USA 2012.

Each meeting brings special contributions to the growth of the movement when women gather:

• to share experiences of the World Day of Prayer
• to select themes and writers for the worship services
• to elect an Executive Committee that is ecumenical, with representatives from Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant traditions and comprised of a chairperson, treasurer and representatives from Africa, Asia, Caribbean/North America, Europe, Latin America, Middle East and the Pacific
• to prepare a budget based on contributions from the National Committees and special gifts
• to consider ways by which the movement may grow

At these meetings themes and writers for future services are chosen: the Themes Group sifts through all the suggestions sent from around the world. Common ideas are drawn out and themes selected, together with suggestions for scripture passages to support the themes. These themes are then allocated to countries who have expressed a desire to prepare an order of service. The countries are chosen to give as wide a regional representation as possible.

Following the 2012 meeting we now have themes and countries allocated up to 2021.

Once a new set of themes and countries has been selected, Rosângela Oliviera assists in setting up workshops in each country to enable as many women as possible to have input into their service, giving a wide range of views and ideas. The Writing Group in that country then prepares a draft order of service that is sent to the International Committee. This is then sent, in English, French or Spanish to National Committees worldwide. Within our own National Committee, there is a committee that provides a translation for the Welsh speaking churches.

Altogether the service is translated into over 1,000 different languages and dialects.

The National Committee for England, Wales and Northern Ireland, consists of one representative from each of the participating denominations, each chosen by their denomination to represent it on WWDP. These representatives are appointed for a term of 9 years, reviewable every 3. If during that time a member is elected to the Chair, her denominational status ends and she will then serve 3 years as chairperson, 3 as vice-president and a further 3 as president. The denomination will be requested to appoint somebody else to represent it.

We are essentially a working committee of volunteers and all members are expected to take a full part in the year-round activities.