Welcome to Christian Concern for One World

Raising awareness of global issues in churches in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire - working with churches to explore how to "love your neighbour" in a global context. 

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What Does Fair Trade Do?

On the 20th of April, Witney Area Fair Trade Action Group (WAFTAG) and CCOW co-sponsored a panel entitled "What Does Fair Trade Do?" at High Street Methodist Church in Witney.

The panel offered a chance to hear three people with first-hand experience of working on Fair Trade talk about how they saw Fair Trade working, and what it  does to assist producers in developing countries.

The first speaker was Alex Nicholls, University Lecturer in Social Entrepreneurship at the Skoll Centre of Oxford University, author of Fair Trade: Market-Driven Ethical Consumption and non-executive director of Fair Trade fashion company People Tree.

The second speaker was David Bowman, non-executive director of Traidcraft, one of the UK's largest and best-known Fair Trade organisation.

Wendy Foster, the third speaker, then shared thoughts based on her years spent as a project consultant for the Kwetu Training Centre in Kenya, which produced Fairtrade honey and other sustainably developed and fairly traded products. A copy of Wendy's powerpoint presentation, which introduces the Kwetu project, can be found at the bottom of this post.

DfID Consultations

DfID is putting together a new White Paper on International Development, and is holding a consultation as part of the process.

The consultation document is available online at http://consultation.dfid.gov.uk and is open for comment until 27 May. There are also regional consultation events, including one in Southampton on 7 May and one in Leicester on 13 May. Click here for more information about these.

The document has an ambitious title: Eliminating World Poverty.  It has five main sections:

  • Building our common future
  • Global economic growth
  • Climate change
  • Fragile and conflict-affected countries
  • International institutional reform

"Building our common future" is the introduction; each of the remaining sections includes a brief outline of DfID's thinking on the challenges involved in one key area, together with questions about DfID's response to which those taking part in the consultation can add their thoughts.

Downloadable notes on the main presentations at the DfID Consultation in Bristol on 8 April are at the bottom of this post.

Initial responses to the G20 (Click for full post)

For the past few weeks, Christians have been praying -- and advocating -- for the G20 to strive for justice.

Now, as the "London Summit" finishes, what has happened?

In a sense it's too early to say. The key to any agreement always lies in its implementation.

But even allowing for that, two broad shifts seem to have emerged:

  • The G20, with its inclusion of emerging economies such as Argentina, Brazil, China, India, Indonesia and South Africa, is in the ascendant over the G8. The emerging economies are finally recognised as being necessary parties to any global economic discussions.
  • The initiative has shifted from those who favour the type of unregulated free-market capitalism promoted under the Washington Consensus. The shift may not be quite as dramatic as was suggested by the Prime Minister in his address at St Paul's on Tuesday -- "this old world of the old Washington consensus is over" -- but the shift in the tone of discussions is mirrored in a new willingness to consider regulation which would have been unthinkable a few years ago

Prayer, Action and Information around the G20

As the G20 "comes to town" next week, how can we make sense of the maelstrom of opinions, hopes and fears around the meeting? And what can we do to pray and express our hopes that any outcomes of the meeting will be ones that move the world towards the vision of God's Kingdom, a vision of love and justice?

Praying and Acting

Within a UK context, there are two major opportunities for prayer and action.

  • "Put People First" is holding a service, march and rally on Saturday, 28 March. The service , which begins at 10:30 for 11:00 features the Bishop of London; Joel Edwards, International Director of Micah Challenge; Christine Allen, Executive Director of Progressio; and Fr Joe Komakoma, General Secretary of the Episcopal Conference, Zambia. Many other church and agency leaders will also be speaking and reading, and there will be worship music by Andy Flannagan. A tremendous opportunity to gather and pray for wisdom and discernment for those meeting . . . but also more broadly for God's justice, mercy and peace to flow through all deliberations and our own lives.

  • Micah Challenge , the international coalition of Christian organisations campaigning on the Millennium Development Goals and seeking to engage the churches in issues of poverty and justice, has prepared the Rise Up resource to help us pray for the G20 meeting and more generally for a better world. This resource will be used by Christians in countries around the globe -- from Australia to Zambia. Join in! There's a special prayer for use this Sunday, 29 March, in churches. Can you see if your church could use it? 

Information and Opinion

Is the G20 legitimate? Or not? Should it be trying to reform the world's financial architecture? Or standing by to allow a more representative UN-based system to do the job? Should it try to relaunch the Doha round of trade talks to fight protectionism? Or would doing so imperil the economies of some of the world's poorest countries? 

"Partnership for Development" (click for full article)

27 March 2009

The eighth Millennium Development Goal involves the creation of a global "Partnership for Development" The targets for the Goal involve many of the things we are campaigning on and working for year in and year out -- fairer trade and financial systems, enhanced debt relief, access to essential medicines, and good technology transfer to provide for sustainable development.

But how does the idea of partnership for development actually play out "on the ground" where people from richer and poorer countries are working together to achieve these goals -- in agencies, Fair Trade Organisations, and church links? What can we do to create genuine partnerships for development? And for Christians, what theology shapes the way we look at these partnerships? 

These were the questions that were examined in this year's Ecumenical World Development Consultation, the biennial conference put on by a broad coalition of churches and agencies. It was a conference full of helpful presentations:

  • Cathy Ross, Director of the Crowther Centre for Mission Education at CMS, offered a theological reflection on partnership 
  • the Rt Hon John Battle, MP, a member of the International Development Select Committee and Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Overseas Development, spoke about partnership between churches and government in the service of development;
  • Geoff Bockett, Traidcraft's International Director, talked about Traidcraft's efforts to establish genuine partnerships with producers in a market context;
  • Benedict Southworth, Director of WDM, talked about WDM's alliances with southern campaigning agencies and the way these shape how it works;
  • Philippe Ouedraogo, director of AEAD (Evangelical Association Supporting Development) in Burkina Faso, spoke about positive partnerships within his country and between northern and southern churches;

Living Lent in a Global Context

"Dear friends,

Lent is a time to let go a little, stand back and spend more time in the desert. There’s a line in a favourite poem of mine by Jared Carter, ‘out over emptiness is where things weigh the least’. Wise words. There is much in our world at the moment that weighs heavy.

As followers of Christ we can feel quite powerless and yet at the same time yearn to play some part, to reach out and make a difference to people living in poverty. What desert time does is first refresh us and renew our hope, and secondly give us an understanding that each of us is uniquely called by God to have a special role in his work of creation and the coming of his kingdom here on earth. . . . ."

Those words form the beginning of Delia Smith's first Lent meditation for CAFOD -- part of a challenge she and the agency are issuing to spend 20 minutes of each day in silence and stillness before God.

A lot of what we at CCOW talk about has to do with action -- more Martha than Mary!  And for those who feel called to act, never fear. There are plenty of opportunities to do so this Lent. But we need the stillness, too, to draw closer to God, to listen, to give unhurried praise and thanks, to see more clearly, to be guided.

Our Lent resources page shares some opportunities to engage in both reflection and action.  Maybe you'll feel more called towards one type of opportunity than another. Or maybe both. But do take the time to browse, to ponder, and to see where God might be calling.

Green Faith Day

The Green Faith Day organised by Tilehurst Methodist Church and CCOW offered lots of food for thought, prayer and action!

Over 100 people attended. The morning began with a panel of eminent speakers (pictured):  Dr. Paula Clifford, Head of Theology at Christian Aid; Revd. Professor Ian James, Diocesan Environmental Officer for the Diocese of Oxford and Emeritus Professor, Dept of Meteorology at Reading University; Mark Dowd, Campaigns Strategist for Operation Noah; Ruth Conway, board member of Operation Noah and leader of ECEN's education group;  Professor Sir John Marsh, Methodist local preacher and former professor of agricultural economics at Reading University; and Anglican solitary and academic Maggie Ross. 

Sixteen different exhibitors, offering information and advice on matters environmental, filled the exhibition hall. Workshops offered help with green and ethical investment, the process of becoming an Eco-Congregation, organic gardening, energy saving in homes and more, while a prayer labyrinth was in operation throughout the day. The afternoon closed with worship -- and a call for all attending to take what we had learned and put it into action. 

More details to come!

 

 

Statement by the Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem concerning Gaza

Please note the call for prayer this Sunday, 4 January. Can you, whether privately or publicly, join in? 

 

Jerusalem, 30 December 2008

We, the Patriarchs, Bishops and the Heads of Christian Churches in Jerusalem, follow with deep concern, regret, and shock the war currently raging in the Gaza Strip and the subsequent destruction, murder and bloodshed, especially at a time when we celebrate Christmas, the birth of the King of love and peace. As we express our deep sorrow at the renewed cycle of violence between Israelis and Palestinians and the continued absence of peace in our Holy Land, we denounce the ongoing hostilities in the Gaza Strip and all forms of violence and killings from all parties. We believe that the continuation of this bloodshed and violence will not lead to peace and justice but breed more hatred and hostility - and thus continued confrontation between the two peoples.

Accordingly, we call upon all officials of both parties to the conflict to return to their senses and refrain from all violent acts, which only bring destruction and tragedy, and urge them instead to work to resolve their differences through peaceful and non-violent means. We also call upon the international community to fulfil its responsibilities and intervene immediately and actively stop the bloodshed and end all forms of confrontation; to work hard and strong to put an end to the current confrontation and remove the causes of conflict between the two peoples; and to finally resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with a just and comprehensive solution based on international resolutions.

To the various Palestinian factions we say: It is time to end your division and settle your differences. We call on all factions at this particular time to put the interests of the Palestinian people above personal and factional interests and to move immediately toward national comprehensive reconciliation and use all non-violent means to achieve a just and comprehensive peace in the region.

Finally, we raise our prayers to the Child in the manger to inspire the authorities and decision makers on both sides, the Israelis and Palestinians, for immediate action to end the current tragic situation in the Gaza Strip. We pray for the victims, the wounded and the broken-hearted. May the Lord God Almighty grant all those who have lost loved ones consolation and patience. We pray for all those living in panic and fear, that God may bless them with calm, tranquillity and true peace. We call on all to observe next Sunday, January 4, as a day for justice and peace in the land of peace.

+ Patriarch Theophilos III, Greek Orthodox Patriarchate
+ Patriarch Fuad Twal, Latin Patriarchate
+ Patriarch Torkom II, Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Patriarchate
Fr. Pier Battista Pizzaballa, ofm, Custody of the Holy Land
+ Anba Abraham, Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate
+ Archbishop Swerios Malki Mourad, Syrian Orthodox Patriarchate
+ Abune Matthias, Ethiopian Orthodox Patriarchate
+ Archbishop Paul Nabil Sayyah, Maronite Patriarchal Exarchate
+ Bishop Suheil Dawani, Episcopal Church of Jerusalem & the Middle East
+ Bishop Munib Younan, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan & the Holy Land
+ Bishop Pierre Malki, Syrian Catholic Patriarchal Exarchate
+ Bishop Youssef Zre'i, Greek Catholic Patriarchal Exarchate
Fr. Raphael Minassian, Armenian Catholic Patriarchal Exarchate
Antioch Centre http://www.antiochcentre.net/
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Some Christmas and New Year's Reminders

I was in prison . . .

It's not too late to send a message of hope and encouragement to someone who is suffering from political or religious persecution this Christmas season.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Open Doors, and Amnesty International all have lists of people who would be grateful for letters and cards. Your writing helps to remind the prisoners themselves -- and those holding them -- that those who suffer persecution are not forgotten, and are not alone.

To download Christian Solidarity Worldwide's letter-writing guide, click here .

To download Open Doors letter-writing guide, click here .

To go to the webpage for Amnesty's Greeting Card Campaign 2008, click here .


Don't forget to register!

Two events coming up early in 2009:

  • The Big Brew takes place during Fairtrade Fortnight, but the registration deadline is 16 January. Click here for information and a registration form.
  • A "Green Faith Day" on 17 January in Tilehurst will help us think about how we as Christians can fulfill our calling as stewards of creation. It's particularly aimed at any churches that may be involved in -- or considering being involved in -- the Eco-Congregations programme. Click here for more information, and to register.