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Welcome to the CSC HomepageWelcome to the CSC Homepage

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European churches commit to dialogue and reflection on human rights and dignity 

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.

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FORTHCOMING EVENT

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.

Programme - English

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. 

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Exploring Europe 2020 - 21-23 November 2011 - Brussels

Launch of the Second European Semester : Toward a stronger involvement of churches and diaconal stakeholders - 24 November 2011

Programme - English

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"THE IMPLEMENTATION OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IN EUROPE AND IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD"

Annual Meeting of Church and Society Secretaries of European Churches
Strasbourg (France), 11 – 13 October 2011


© CEC/Elizabeta Kitanovic
© CEC/Elizabeta Kitanovic
© CEC/Elizabeta Kitanovic

Panel Discussion

"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.

1) Proposal of a new programme for education, training and youth – “Education Europe” 2014-2020

Conference Programme - English

Report - English

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Participants following the presentation of Prof Liam Gearom (Oxford University)
Participants following the presentations of Ms Maria Ochoa-Llido (Council of Europe) and Mr Jonathan Hill (European Commission)
Participants reviewing the result of the "world cafe" discussions
© Aarhus Universitetsforlag

Some reading material which you might find of interest :

The School for Life : N.F.S. Grundtvig on Education for the People - Edward Broadbridge, Clay Warren & Uffe Jonas

 

 

 

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Citizenship Library

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.


Human Rights Library

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.

 

© www.jeanleclercqz.com

50 Years of CSC50 Years of CSC

1959-2009 : 50 years of dialogue with the European Institutions

Copyright CSC of CEC

Europe UpdatesEurope Updates

Read the latest:

Update N° 38 - September 2011

Click here to review past Europe Updates

News and EventsNews and Events

European Citizen's Initiative - Read more

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Despise not the counsel of the poor: Convictions on Religious Freedom, the power of states and the state of the powers

International Baptist Theological Seminary, Prague
IBTS Directors' Conference 30 January - 3 February 2012.

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For our Strasbourg office we are recruiting:

A part-time Administrative Assistant (75%) as from 1 April 2012

 

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The Executive Committe of the Church and Society Commission of CEC adopted a Discussion 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?

Read report of the conference - English

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Addition on Freedom of Religion or Belief in our Human Rights Library

Read more...


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Submission to the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Baroness Catherine Ashton On the implementation of Freedom of Religion or Belief in the world by the Church and Society Commission (CSC) of Conference of European Churches


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Threats and Challenges of Globalisation - Churches in Europe and Latin America in dialogue

Published jointly with the Latin American Council of Churches - CLAI

English - Spanish

To order 

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Make a donation

 

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Joint Publication from the Church and Society Commission of CEC and the WCC

Poverty, Wealth, and Ecology in Europe:  Call for Climate Change

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...

To order