International Conference in Bad Boll, Germany, discusses the Christian understanding of Human Rights
From 9-11 December, some 60 representatives of Christian churches from 14 European countries met in the Protestant Academy in Bad Boll, Germany, to discuss the different confessional perspectives on the Christian understanding of human rights. There were different approaches to the understanding of human dignity and human value but there was agreement that the Churches need to be strong advocates for the protection of international human rights standards.
Human Enhancement: Moral, Religious and Ethical Aspects from a European Perspective
Brussels, 25 - 27 April 2012
The general aim is to facilitate an international, interdisciplinary and interdenominational dialogue on the definition, the advantages and the concerns with regard to human enhancement ; to review and further develop the 2009 CSC Paper on Human enhancement so as to present a common voice of the European Churches to the European Institutions ; to strengthen the relationship between the CSC and institutions and bodies of the European Union and the Council of Europe, the European Ethics Group, Ethics Networks and members of the European Parliament; to help identifying the future CSC priorities in this area of work.
For further information and to register please contact our Strasbourg office.
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PUBLIC STATEMENT
European concerted action required now – People´s Needs first
The European Union today is facing its most significant and existential crisis since its existence. If the financial and economic crisis cannot be effectively solved by concerted action of the EU Member States, the Union itself is at stake. On the eve of the European Council, the Church and Society Commission of the Conference of European Churches urges European political leaders to finally take effective measures which live up to the magnitude of the issue and to put the needs of the people at the centre of the solution.
"Freedom of Religion and Belief outside Europe", during the meeting of CSC Secretaries, Strasbourg, 12 October 2011
Panelists:
• Canon Dr. Gary Wilton, Church of England
• Revd Peter Ciaccio, Waldensian Church in Italy
• Hegumen Philip, Russian Orthodox Church
• Mr. Alessandro Calcagno, COMECE
• Prof. Mariam Abou-Zahab, Institute of Political Studies in Paris
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VITAL ROLE FOR CHURCHES IN EDUCATION FOR DEMOCRATIC CITIZENSHIP
The church has a vital role to play in the democratic structures of modern day society. Democracy is an ongoing process, and the church can participate very effectively through educating citizens to be part of that process.
The Conference on Education for Democratic Citizenship – a role for the churches? took place from October 5-7 in Strasbourg. Organised by the Church and Society Commission (CSC) of the Conference of European Churches (CEC), the conference brought together members of churches and church organisations, clergy, lay, NGOs and academics, to discuss and debate how the church can act as a responsible part of civil society.
In the education section of our webpage you will find the new CSC citizenship library. Education for citizenship is one of the priorities of the CSC education strategy. What do churches do to encourage people to actively participate in the society? What role do churches play in shaping today's and tomorrow's Europe?
You are welcome to contribute to this library! If you have material you would like to add, please contact Rev. Richard Fischer.
The aim of this library is to present the diversity of opinions on human rights within CEC member churches. The material can serve as a resource material for your church to organise seminars, workshop or training in this field.
Please send all your contributions to the human rights library to the CSC Human Rights Secretary Mag. Elizabeta Kitanovic.
The Church and Society Commission (CSC) is one of the commissions of the Conference of European Churches (CEC), which is an ecumenical fellowship of 124 churches and 40 associated organisations from all over Europe. CSC provides a platform for the CEC membership to reflect on socio-ethical issues ecumenically and to involve them in common action and advocacy in relation to the European Union, the Council of Europe, the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe and the United Nations (in European matters). CSC operates as a forum for action, dialogue and ecumenical training in European affairs.
In the Charta Oecumenica of 2001, European churches committed themselves to support the integration of the European continent: “On the basis of our Christian faith, we work towards a humane, socially conscious Europe, in which human rights and the basic values of peace, justice, freedom, tolerance, participation and solidarity prevail”.
The Annual Report of the Church and Society Commission can be found here.
The Executive Committe of the Church and Society Commission of CEC adopted aDiscussion Document on Europe and Family Policy and invites CEC member churches and those responsible for family policy to send their reactions and amendments.
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Education for democratic citizenship - A role for the churches?
Problems of poverty and inequality, ecological destruction and violence have worsened against the backdrop of intensified economic globalisation, characterised by rapid trade and financial integration, in the last three decades...
