GETI 2025 

GLOBAL ECUMENICAL THEOLOGICAL INSTITUTE

WADI EL NATRUN, NEAR ALEXANDRIA, EGYPT, 12-29 OCTOBER 2025

WHERE NOW FOR VISIBLE UNITY?

ECUMENICAL THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION (ETE)

of the WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES

in collaboration with the ECUMENICAL INSTITUTE
part of the World Council of Churches and attached to the University of Geneva

APPLICATION GUIDELINES/ACADEMIC YEAR 2025-2026

GETI 2025 / CERTIFICATE OF ADVANCED STUDIES (CAS) IN GLOBAL ECUMENICAL THEOLOGY

GENERAL INFORMATION TO GETI 2025/CAS-GET APPLICANTS

The Global Ecumenical Theological Institute (GETI) 2025, which builds on the legacy of previous events, will take place 12-29 October 2025 during the Sixth World Conference on Faith and Order Wadi El Natrun, near Alexandria, Egypt, under the theme `Where now for visible unity?’. It will be a blended learning experience consisting of a four-week phase of e-learning 15 September-12 October 2025, before the residential phase near Alexandria, Egypt. GETI 2025 will offer approx. 100 students from the global ecumenical family an opportunity to theologically and contextually reflect together on the chosen thematic areas that encompass many of today’s pressing issues.

Over time and after GETI 2013, GETI 2018 and GETI 2022, GETI has become a flagship programme of WCC-ETE. It brings together young and emerging ecumenical theologians and educators from a broad spectrum of Christian traditions and all eight regions of the WCC to engage with one another on current critical theological themes.

The Ecumenical Institute at Château de Bossey is the international centre for encounter, dialogue and formation of the World Council of Churches. Founded in 1946, the Institute brings together people from diverse churches, cultures and backgrounds for ecumenical learning, academic study and personal exchange. It focuses on education and formation of young emerging ecumenical leaders. The Institute is attached to the University of Geneva.

Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) in Global Ecumenical Theology/Certificat de formation continue (CAS) en Théologie oecuméniques globale is a course of a four-week distance learning component and a two-week intensive residential period of study, research and community life, accompanying major events of the World Council of Churches. It results in 10 ECTS credits (ECTS-European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System, established 1988 by the European Commission).

Study plan of CAS-GET course can be found here

APPLICATION GUIDELINES

The following guidelines ensure that your GETI 2025 application is received in the best possible way.

When selecting GETI 2025 students, who will be primarily between 21-35 years, the commitment of the WCC to create a balanced student body in terms of denomination, gender and geography will be honoured as much as possible. The overall admission criteria include also:

• the applicant’s motivation to fully participate and engage in the event with a clear intention to make the best possible use of GETI 2025 studies and experience in the future;
• the applicant’s post-secondary school studies in Christian theology;
• the applicant’s recommendation from church or regional association of theological education or academic institution.

The fee for GETI 2025 (12-29 October 2025) is CHF 1’800.00. This amount includes

• registration fee CHF 100.00 (non-refundable)
• tuition
• study materials and space
• full board and lodging in shared accommodation
• health and accident insurance
• local transport related to the programme

The fee does not include

• return travel expenses to and from GETI 2025 located in Wadi El Natrun, near Alexandria, Egypt
• any personal travel related expenses: passport, visas(s), vaccination(s), any Covid-19 pandemic related tests/medical certificates/other required processes in order to travel, travel insurance, etc.
• board and lodging expenses en route/at the GETI 2025 before and after the official dates 12-29 October 2025

Many churches or regional associations of theological education or academic institutions have funds available to participate in ecumenical study opportunities, such as GETI 2025. Research what opportunities for financial support exist in your context!

At times limited funds may be available to cover part of the fees for applicants who demonstrate financial need. All scholarship awards are decided at the same time as GETI 2025 admissions.

Financial assistance towards GETI 2025 fee is granted according to the following criteria:
Financial assistance is considered to an applicant who demonstrate financial need.
Priority is given to the candidates aged 21-35 years.
Financial assistance is always partial, each applicant needs to make a pledge for financial contribution i.e. a promise to give money, in addition to payment of the non-refundable registration fee CHF 100.00.
Admitted student is always responsible for the following:

• registration fee CHF 100.00 (non-refundable)
• return travel expenses to and from 2025 located in Wadi El Natrun, near Alexandria, Egypt
• all personal travel related expenses: passport, visas(s), vaccination(s), any Covid-19 pandemic related tests/medical certificates/Fother required processes in order to travel, travel insurance, etc.
• board and lodging expenses en route/at the GETI 2022 event site before and after the official dates (12-29 October 2025)

The tuition language at GETI 2025 is English, no interpretation is foreseen. You are asked to self-assess in the on-line application form your English language skills using as reference the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) language proficiency descriptors:

• Basic user (A1-beginner/A2-elementary)
• Independent user (B1-intermediate/B2-upper intermediate)
• Proficient user (C1-advanced/C2-proficiency)

Your personal statement gives further indication to assess your English language skills.In order to become admitted a candidate is expected to have minimum B2 English language skills.

You may access the on-line application form only once; consequently collect all the documents in .pdf format before beginning the process and name them as follows: FAMILYNAME_Firstname_NameOfTheDocument.pdf,
example: PARK_Song Hoon_UpperSecondarySchoolCertificate.pdf

The closing date for applications is 15 November 2024. Please apply well in advance before the closing date. All applicants are informed by e-mail regarding whether or not they are admitted at the latest by mid-February 2025.

In case you become admitted, original documentation will be requested at the time of enrolment to the University of Geneva. The original documents must always be presented to confirm the enrolment at the beginning of the studies.

The on-line application form requires uploading electronically scanned documents listed below. The academic documents are accepted in one of the following languages: English OR French OR German OR Italian OR Spanish. Documents in any other languages must be translated by an officially registered translator into English.

A COMPLETE GETI 2025/CAS-GET APPLICATION DOSSIER IS COMPOSED OF THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS:

Documents to be uploaded in the on-line application system:

1. One (1) passport-size photograph in digital form;
2. A copy of the upper secondary school certificate and transcript of academic records;
3. A copy of Bachelor’s AND/OR Master’s degree certificate and a transcript of academic records in Christian theology;
4. One (1) recommendation letter from your church OR regional association of theological education OR academic institution, well acquainted with you, indicating how your studies and experience at GETI 2025 can be beneficial in the future;
5. A personal statement of max. 1000 words in English detailing the following:

• your ecumenical motivation and plans, experience in local, regional or global ecumenism and how studying at GETI 2025 relates to these
• indication of your English language proficiency level;

6. A curriculum vitae (CV) listing your academic, professional and church/ecumenical experience;
7. A financial plan including all expenses and income in relation to participation in GETI 2025, in case you become admitted. If you have funds pledged by a third party, please, attach supporting document(s).

CLOSING DATE 15 NOVEMBER 2024.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST AND GETI 2025/CAS-GET APPLICATION!