Christian Concern for One World -

What Does Fair Trade Do?

Maranda — Sun, 03 May 2009 01:52:02 +0000

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.

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DfID Consultations

Maranda — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 14:00:46 +0000

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.

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Initial responses to the G20 (Click for full post)

Maranda — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 08:35:40 +0000

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

More than 1,500 Christians attended the "Put People First" church service on 28 March at Central Hall, Westminster, where the Bishop of London, Chri stine Allen (speech on the Progress io website, see below), Joel Edwards, and F r Joe Komakoma offered much food for thought.
Micah Challenge and the Church of England, among others, offered prayer resou rces, and in Micah's case, a prayer blog.
The Pope sent a letter to Gordon Brown;
The Archbishop of Canterbury offered a request for an economics that took account of both limits to material resources and environmental costs,
A large group of UK religious leaders offered a general call to remember the moral basis of economics and to pay attention to the needs of the poor;
Many of the UK churches offered quite a detailed submission "towards a sustainable and equitable reordering of global economic relationships," and
The development agencies CAFOD, Progressio and Tearfund offered a joint theological rationale for their policy requests around global 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

In terms of particulars, there's a general sense that some progress was made -- particularly in the way the group finally began to address the issue of tax havens, in the commitment to begin reform of the governance structures of the IMF and World Bank, and in the amount of funding made available for low-income countries. But there were some critical omissions -- most notably around climate issues and the role of the UN -- and there are some quite serious reservations about the ways in which the funding for low-income countries will be administered through the IMF and the extent of the action on tax havens. So please continue to pray as the process moves on to the next stage.

We'll hope to offer links to some theological reflections and more detailed policy analyses later. But in the meantime, below are some links to the communique and to various organisations' and individuals' responses to it, highlighting those that focus on particular areas.

The Communique itself: http://www.londonsummit.gov.uk/resources/en/news/15766232/communique-020409

Three general responses:

An initial response (with more to follow) from the Put People First coalition: http://www.putpeoplefirst.org.uk/2009/04/put-people-first-reaction-to-the-london-summit/

An initial, and then a fuller response from Duncan Green, Oxfam GB's Head of Research: http://www.oxfamblogs.org/fp2p/

An initial response from Progressio, which we can't link to because (for some reason) our email rejects it as spam . . . but which you can find on their website, which is just their name.org.uk

A response from Tearfund that focuses on the lack of any commitments on climate issues and the need for a low-carbon economy: http://www.tearfund.org/News/Press+releases/G20+fumbles+chance+to+help+poor+and+climate.htm

A first response from Eurodad that focuses on the funding and governance issues: http://www.eurodad.org/whatsnew/articles.aspx?id=3539

A response from Christian Aid which notes the need for the new IMF funding to be free of economic policy conditionality, and asks for further progress on tax havens: http://www.christianaid.org.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/april2009/g20-summit-response.aspx

A fairly detailed response to the tax haven proposals by Richard Murphy, a specialist in this area: http://www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/

A short paper from the Bretton Woods Project which explains Special Drawing Rights, a key element of the new IMF package: http://www.brettonwoodsproject.org/art-564135

A response from the Trade Justice Movement that argues that the "commitment" of the G20 to restarting the Doha round is misguided, which can be read in concert with ODI's assessment of why the Doha Round should actually be a low priority and the FT's assessment that the "commitment" should not be taken particularly seriously.

Prayer, Action and Information around the G20

Maranda — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 10:32:41 +0000

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?

If you're trying to find out more about the issues surrounding the G20, here are some places to begin:

The official website of the London Summit
Gives the official aims, press releases, etc.
G20 voice
One of the most interesting developments in coverage of a major international meeting (and praise to Oxfam for coordinating it!). The G20 voice project means that 50 civil society bloggers will actually be in the G20 Excel Centre, with the same access as traditional journalists, blogging away in real time. They've come from all over the world . . . go to the site to hear their perspectives.
The newspapers.
As ever, the broadsheets will have ample coverage and opinions. Two the best places to look? The Guardian which, for example, has just printed this entry from Joseph Stiglitz. And the Financial Times, which has an "in-depth" section on the G20 which brings together related articles and commentary.
The policy statements.
One of the broadest coalitions of organisations ever assembled in the UK is Put People First , which counts among its members development agencies, environment agencies, faith groups, unions, student groups and other civil society organisations. Major Christian charities, such as CAFOD, Christian Aid, Micah Challenge UK, Progressio, Tearfund and World Vision are among its key members. Put People First has a policy platform which addresses the need for a more just financial architecture, secure jobs and public services for all, and progress towards a low-carbon future. You can download the full report , or go to the website for the main recommendations.
ODI, the Oversea Development Institute, has put together a "Development Charter for the G20 ," a series of short reports that address the potential areas where the G20's decisions could affect, positively or negatively, developing countries. This is a slightly more technical document, but worth reading.

Choike , the online portal on southern civil societies, will print news and press releases about the G20 from various northern and southern civil society organisation.

"Partnership for Development" (click for full article)

Maranda — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 09:07:44 +0000

^{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;
Jenny Humphreys, World Mission Officer for the Diocese of Bath and Wells, described the longstanding partnership between that diocese and the Anglican dioceses in Zambia;
David Golding from Make Poverty History Northeast reminded us of our Christian obligations to each other, and
Peter Collins, Traidcraft's Church-Relations Manager delivered a powerful sermon on the role of trust in partnership.

And here's the good news! Many of those presentations are available online, so that you can share them even if you weren't actually there. We've actually got Peter Collins' piece available for download at the bottom of this page. A wider range of resources is available on the website of the World Development Advisers' network for the Church of England. Enjoy!

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Living Lent in a Global Context

Maranda — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 11:38:25 +0000

"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

Maranda — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 11:26:16 +0000

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

Maranda — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 16:59:34 +0000

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/
---

With thanks to Bede and Jenny Gerard, Churches Together in Oxfordshire.

Some Christmas and New Year's Reminders

Maranda — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 11:32:46 +0000

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.

Taking Action on AIDS

Maranda — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 08:39:04 +0000

World AIDS Day was marked in a variety of ways around the three counties.
St Mary's, Thatcham, posted prayers and a red ribbon on their altar and Hope Tshenkeng, diocesan president of the Mothers' Union in Kimberley and Kuruman, shared in prayer and reflection with local Mothers' Union members. Many churches used material from the prayer resources available for World AIDS Day.

A few weeks earlier, on November 22nd, local AIDS charity ACHIVA held a conference entitled "Restoring Hope: Practical Responses to HIV and AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa." Keynote speakers were South African AIDS activist Masi Cowper, who spoke of her own work empowering women living with HIV and AIDS; and Basil Eastwood, chair of Cecily's Fund , who shared lessons learned from that charity's work educating orphans and vulnerable children in Zambia. The keynote panel was chaired by the Bishop of Oxford.

Workshops offered further perspectives on particular projects -- among others Charlotte Bannister Parker and Hope Tshenkeng spoke of work in the Diocese of Kimberley and Kuruman; Glen Williams from Strategies for Hope asked participants to share in an AIDS education activity from one of the charity's Called to Care books; and Paula Clifford from Christian Aid shared reflections on the extent to which understanding the cultural context is key to successfully working on prevention and care . . . and asked what it means to HIV+ in a rapidly changing global situation.

What did you do for World AIDS Day? Please let us know -- the more we share, the stronger our response becomes.