News

Visas

Ensure ease of entry to Poland with the correct visa

Attendees from certain countries will need a Schengen Visa to enter Poland. Please check whether you need a visa and be aware of the visa requirements. Should you need a visa, ensure you apply for it well in advance of the Assembly. 

Des bateaux amarrés le long du plus long fleuve de Pologne, la Vistule, qui traverse Cracovie. Photo : Malgorzata Zachraj

Boats moored alongside the longest river in Poland, the Vistula, which flows through Krakow. Photo: Malgorzata Zachraj

Official delegates and other participants will receive invitation letters to support their visa application upon request.

For more information about Schengen visas, including application, please see: https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/ 

Please refer to the Polish Government website for official information on visas https://www.gov.pl/web/diplomacy/visas and kindly consult the resource page for the list of the Republic of Poland's mission abroad.

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Verpflegung

A selection of satisfying meals to keep energy levels high!

We look forward to serving nourishing and tasty meals throughout the Assembly, including traditional Polish dishes. We’ll do our best to accommodate any particular dietary needs. Morning coffee and afternoon tea will also be served. 

Comensales disfrutan de una cena en la ciudad de Cracovia, Polonia. Foto: Malgorzata Zachraj

Diners enjoy an evening meal in the Polish city of Kraków. Photo: Malgorzata Zachraj

Full details of catering are being organized and more information will be shared as we get closer to the date of the Assembly.

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Comidas

A selection of satisfying meals to keep energy levels high!

We look forward to serving nourishing and tasty meals throughout the Assembly, including traditional Polish dishes. We’ll do our best to accommodate any particular dietary needs. Morning coffee and afternoon tea will also be served. 

Comensales disfrutan de una cena en la ciudad de Cracovia, Polonia. Foto: Malgorzata Zachraj

Diners enjoy an evening meal in the Polish city of Kraków. Photo: Malgorzata Zachraj

Full details of catering are being organized and more information will be shared as we get closer to the date of the Assembly.

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Restauration

A selection of satisfying meals to keep energy levels high!

We look forward to serving nourishing and tasty meals throughout the Assembly, including traditional Polish dishes. We’ll do our best to accommodate any particular dietary needs. Morning coffee and afternoon tea will also be served. 

Comensales disfrutan de una cena en la ciudad de Cracovia, Polonia. Foto: Malgorzata Zachraj

Diners enjoy an evening meal in the Polish city of Kraków. Photo: Malgorzata Zachraj

Full details of catering are being organized and more information will be shared as we get closer to the date of the Assembly.

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Was ist eine Vollversammlung?

Welcome to the Thirteenth Assembly, the principal authority of the LWF

An Assembly is the highest decision-making body of the LWF. In addition to celebrating the common faith of the Lutheran communion across contexts and cultures, the Assembly offers mutual enrichment through joint reflection and discernment, and provides the platform for joint decision-making. As the principal authority of the LWF, the Assembly is the most representative expression of the LWF communion. Delegates from all member churches take part. The outcomes and decisions will lay the ground for the work of the LWF in the coming six to seven years.

L’énergie d’un éventail éclectique de musiques du monde, durant la Douzième Assemblée de la Fédération luthérienne mondiale. Windhoek (Namibie), mai 2017. Photo : FLM/ Albin Hillert

Gaining the energy from an ecclectic array of global music, at the Lutheran World Federation's Twelfth Assembly. Windhoek, Namibia, May 2017. Photo: LWF/Albin Hillert

The Thirteenth Assembly is hosted by The Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Poland, which takes place from 13 to 19 September 2023, in the southern city of Krakow. We thank the church for their hospitality. Each Assembly is grounded in scripture. This Assembly has the theme “One Body, One Spirit, One Hope”, in reference to Ephesians 4:4: “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling.” The LWF extends a warm welcome to delegates, ex-officio participants, ecumenical and faith partners, media, and those member churches observing the Assembly from afar.

The work of an Assembly begins well in advance of the formal event. Prior to an Assembly, LWF member churches in their respective regions hold pre-Assembly meetings. These are important spaces for spiritual reflection, relating the Assembly themes to different church contexts, and provide opportunity to build community. A major role of the regional pre-Assemblies is to designate a slate of member church representatives from the region to be nominated to serve on the new LWF Council.

Global gatherings in a Women’s pre-Assembly, Men's pre-Assembly and Youth pre-Assembly are also held. Delegates receive training on the rules and procedures for taking part in debates, decision-making and voting at the Assembly.

The LWF Assembly is momentous and produces a substantial body of work that sets the course for the direction of the work of the LWF until the next Assembly. Moreover, the Assembly is responsible for the LWF Constitution; elects the President and members of the Council, which governs the LWF between Assemblies; and acts on the reports of the President, General Secretary and Chairperson of the Finance Committee.

It carries out another no less important function. The Assembly seeks to empower the Lutheran communion in its witness and service in the coming years, and to support the communion to learn and reflect upon the local and regional context of the host country. The Assembly normally meets every six years with the date, venue and program determined by the Council.

The LWF Council determines the number of delegates and their distribution among the member churches, giving regard to the size of member churches and distribution by continent and country. Each member church has the right to have at least one representative in the Assembly. Each region is represented by at least 40 percent women, 40 percent men and 20 percent youth. The LWF strives to uphold a balance between lay and ordained delegates. Other participants may speak in deliberations conducted in plenary but only delegates enjoy the twin rights of voice and vote.

Around 350 delegates are expected to gather for the Thirteenth Assembly. Prior to the Assembly, a Council meeting, the youth, men and women’s pre-Assemblies, and pre-Assembly visits will take place.

The Assembly will generate a series of formal documents that articulate the position of the LWF on crucial Communion, ecumenical and global concerns. The three bodies of work are as follows:

  • The Assembly Message, which describes and represents the experience of the Assembly, and provides collective memory of a historical event in the life of the Lutheran communion
  • Assembly Resolutions, which provide general direction for the life and work of the LWF within the context of the strategic plan and resources
  • Assembly Public Statements, which describe particular issues or concerns, and the position of the Assembly on that issue. Public statements are intended for widespread public release.
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Auflagen und Schutzmaßnahmen im Zusammenhang mit COVID-19

The Lutheran World Federation is looking forward to running a successful and enriching Assembly. Due to the high number of participants coming from all over the world and given the COVID-19 variants are still present, it is important to recall that everyone has the duty to protect oneself and others.

The LWF Executive Committee has established key areas it will monitor and created associated benchmarks in the interest of safety and security, and duty of care. They are:

The venue of the Thirteenth Assembly, Krawkow's premier function center, the ICE Krakow Congress Centre. Photo: LWF/A. Danielsson

The venue of the Thirteenth Assembly, Krawkow's premier function center, the ICE Krakow Congress Centre. Photo: LWF/A. Danielsson

  • participation of official delegates and establishing a quorum at the Assembly
  • airline regulations, given that more than 80 percent of delegates will be traveling by air 
  • COVID-19 policies and restrictions by the Polish government pertaining to vaccination, transit and stopovers en route, and any restrictions on mass gatherings 
  • any COVID-19 restrictions upon return to home country 
  • the impact of new COVID-19 variants 
  • the personal preferences and comfort levels of attendees

Any participant to the Assembly shall be fit to travel before departing and is responsible to check and comply with possible requirements related to Covid-19 or others. Poland has lifted all measures since March 2022. See here for updated information on entry and regulations: https://www.gov.pl/web/coronavirus/general-information 

If you feel unwell during the Assembly time, please refer to the medical assistance service provided and do not hesitate to wear a face mask to protect others.  

Restricciones y medidas relacionadas al COVID-19

The Lutheran World Federation is looking forward to running a successful and enriching Assembly. Due to the high number of participants coming from all over the world and given the COVID-19 variants are still present, it is important to recall that everyone has the duty to protect oneself and others.

The LWF Executive Committee has established key areas it will monitor and created associated benchmarks in the interest of safety and security, and duty of care. They are:

The venue of the Thirteenth Assembly, Krawkow's premier function center, the ICE Krakow Congress Centre. Photo: LWF/A. Danielsson

The venue of the Thirteenth Assembly, Krawkow's premier function center, the ICE Krakow Congress Centre. Photo: LWF/A. Danielsson

  • participation of official delegates and establishing a quorum at the Assembly
  • airline regulations, given that more than 80 percent of delegates will be traveling by air 
  • COVID-19 policies and restrictions by the Polish government pertaining to vaccination, transit and stopovers en route, and any restrictions on mass gatherings 
  • any COVID-19 restrictions upon return to home country 
  • the impact of new COVID-19 variants 
  • the personal preferences and comfort levels of attendees

Any participant to the Assembly shall be fit to travel before departing and is responsible to check and comply with possible requirements related to Covid-19 or others. Poland has lifted all measures since March 2022. See here for updated information on entry and regulations: https://www.gov.pl/web/coronavirus/general-information 

If you feel unwell during the Assembly time, please refer to the medical assistance service provided and do not hesitate to wear a face mask to protect others.  

Restrictions et mesures liées à la COVID-19

The Lutheran World Federation is looking forward to running a successful and enriching Assembly. Due to the high number of participants coming from all over the world and given the COVID-19 variants are still present, it is important to recall that everyone has the duty to protect oneself and others.

The LWF Executive Committee has established key areas it will monitor and created associated benchmarks in the interest of safety and security, and duty of care. They are:

The venue of the Thirteenth Assembly, Krawkow's premier function center, the ICE Krakow Congress Centre. Photo: LWF/A. Danielsson

The venue of the Thirteenth Assembly, Krawkow's premier function center, the ICE Krakow Congress Centre. Photo: LWF/A. Danielsson

  • participation of official delegates and establishing a quorum at the Assembly
  • airline regulations, given that more than 80 percent of delegates will be traveling by air 
  • COVID-19 policies and restrictions by the Polish government pertaining to vaccination, transit and stopovers en route, and any restrictions on mass gatherings 
  • any COVID-19 restrictions upon return to home country 
  • the impact of new COVID-19 variants 
  • the personal preferences and comfort levels of attendees

Any participant to the Assembly shall be fit to travel before departing and is responsible to check and comply with possible requirements related to Covid-19 or others. Poland has lifted all measures since March 2022. See here for updated information on entry and regulations: https://www.gov.pl/web/coronavirus/general-information 

If you feel unwell during the Assembly time, please refer to the medical assistance service provided and do not hesitate to wear a face mask to protect others.  

Ankunft in Polen

Witamy w Polsce! Welcome to Poland!  

This section details procedures and information that will ensure your arrival in Poland is straightforward. Please check back regularly as further information is added.

Les membres du Comité et du Comité local de planification de l’Assemblée vous souhaitent la bienvenue en Pologne pour la Treizième Assemblée. Photo : FLM/A. Danielsson

Public transport pictured in the Kraków Old City. Photo: LWF/Albin Hillert

We wish you a pleasant stay in Poland and hope your time at the Assembly is productive and enjoyable. 

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Llegada a Polonia

Witamy w Polsce! Welcome to Poland!  

This section details procedures and information that will ensure your arrival in Poland is straightforward. Please check back regularly as further information is added.

Les membres du Comité et du Comité local de planification de l’Assemblée vous souhaitent la bienvenue en Pologne pour la Treizième Assemblée. Photo : FLM/A. Danielsson

Public transport pictured in the Kraków Old City. Photo: LWF/Albin Hillert

We wish you a pleasant stay in Poland and hope your time at the Assembly is productive and enjoyable. 

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Arrivée en Pologne

Witamy w Polsce! Welcome to Poland!  

This section details procedures and information that will ensure your arrival in Poland is straightforward. Please check back regularly as further information is added.

Les membres du Comité et du Comité local de planification de l’Assemblée vous souhaitent la bienvenue en Pologne pour la Treizième Assemblée. Photo : FLM/A. Danielsson

Public transport pictured in the Kraków Old City. Photo: LWF/Albin Hillert

We wish you a pleasant stay in Poland and hope your time at the Assembly is productive and enjoyable. 

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Hinweise für die Ankunft am Flughafen

The arrival terminal of Kraków John Paul II International Airport. Photo: piviso.com

The arrival terminal of Kraków John Paul II International Airport. Photo: piviso.com

Assembly participants will arrive at the Kraków John Paul II International Airport, 11km west of the city center. Further instructions are available here Arriving at Krakow airport.

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