Conference of European Churches - Office of Communications
Press release No. 09-09/e |
Brussels, 05 March 2009 |
Ecumenical groups set priorities for June 2009 European elections
Climate change, migration, poverty and development top agenda
Concerned by low voter involvement in past European elections, the Brussels-based ecumenical organizations Aprodev, the Church and Society Commission of the Conference of European Churches (CEC), the Churches’ Commission for Migrants in Europe (CCME), and Eurodiaconia have launched their own information campaign for the 4-7 June 2009 elections to the European Parliament. The campaign promotes the engagement of citizens in European affairs. All four Christian organizations are in regular exchange with members of the European Parliament on issues of concern to the churches and Christian agencies in Europe.
This information campaign includes a leaflet, dedicated elections website and election-related activities throughout Europe.
The campaign draws attention to four policy areas of priority for the churches in Europe:
• Climate change and the environment: reduced greenhouse gas emissions; support for regions suffering environmental change; thoughtful discussion on GMOs.
• Migration and refugee protection: migration and asylum policies that respect human dignity; EU policies combating human trafficking and promoting human rights of those trafficked; policies promoting anti-discrimination; enhanced intercultural dialogue.
• Poverty and social exclusion: accessible quality social and health care services; intergenerational solidarity; gender equality; inclusion of people with disabilities.
• Peace and development: peaceful conflict resolution; human-rights based approach to development; trade, agricultural, fiscal policies to reduce world poverty.
The 15-page leaflet, European Parliament Elections 4-7 June 2009: Guide for Churches and Christian organisations in the European Union, outlines key policy issues facing the European Union and questions for the candidates. It is available in English, French and German and will be distributed within European churches and Christian organizations, as well as among political parties and candidates for the European Parliament.
The website www.ecmenicalvoices2009.eu provides additional information on this information campaign, major policy topics, the European elections and election-related activities sponsored by Christian groups.
******
Aprodev is the association of 17 development and humanitarian aid organisations in Europe related to the World Council of Churches. www.aprodev.net
The Church and Social Commission (CEC) is one of the commissions of the Conference of European Churches and represents 125 member churches from all over Europe. www.cec-kek.org
The Churches Commission for Migrants in Europe (CCME) is the ecumenical agency on migration and integration, asylum and refugees, and against racism and discrimination in Europe. www.ccme.be
Eurodiaconia is a federation of organisations, institutions and churches providing social and health services and education on a Christian values base in over 20 European countries. www.eurodiaconia.org
For more information:
Elina Eloranta
Church and Society Commission of CEC
Phone +32 2 230 17 32
Fax +32 2 231 14 13
e-mail: elo@cec-kek.be
|
