On October 13, 1997 a group of church people particularly concerned with the preservation of God's creation met in Strasbourg to discuss the implications of the Second European Ecumenical Assembly in Graz for the European churches' witness on environmental issues. In a letter they addressed a set of recommendations to the authorities of CCEE and CEC. Encouraged by the response these recommendations found they met again on January 21 and 22 in Vienna to refine their proposal. What< follows are the conclusions of this meeting.
1. We are grateful for the recommendations of the Second European Ecumenical Assembly on 'A new practice of ecological responsibility - now, and with regard to coming generations' (5.1 - 5.4). We are particularly grateflil for the explicit recognition that 'commitment to the preservation of creation is not side issue among many others but an essential dimension of all church work'. They make clear that the churches in Europe are called to give greater visibility to their witness in the field of environmentaj protection. Recommendations 5.1, 5.2 and 5.3 indicate issues and areas of responsibility. To address them effectively a common witness is required. Recognizing this need the Assembly recommended that CEC and CCEE create 'a network of persons with environmental responsibilities and recognize them as partners in church activities' (Rec. 5.4).
2. We welcome the suggestion in Rec.5.4 that 'the CEC member churches and the CCEE Bishops' Conferences should appoint their own officers for environmental issues'. Such appointments will strengthen the basis for an effective witness of the churches at the European level. We recommend that the Joint Committee address a letter to the CCEE and CEC constituencies to remind them of this suggestion.
3. To implement the main content of Rec 5.4. we recommend that green hght be gi"en jbr the setting up of an European Christian Environment Network (ECEN). The network should ensure wide communication among those working on behalf of the churches for a stronger common witness on environmental issues.
4. This Network should seek to fulfil the following aims:
5. Organisational aspects:
We suggest that the network be an independent body recognized, encouraged and supported by CCEE and CEC, i.e. the network cannot commit through its activities CCEE and CEC but stays in permanent dialogue with them.
The network engages in regular activities with its members (consultations, sustained communication etc.). At the same time 'coalitions of interest' can be formed within the network around particular issues or regional concerns (e.g. bio-diversity, climate change, mobility, Baltic or Mediterranean issues etc.). Members are also encouraged to work bi-or trilaterally on specific issues.
Each member of the network remains independent. No member can speak on behalf of the network. Joint activities depend on the initiative and consent of the members. Each member can get in touch directly with other members at any time. To be effective the network must be able to count on the commitment of its members.
To ensure sustained communication modern means of communication will need to be used (Fax, e-mail, Website). Since not all members have access to these means it might be useflil and necessary to provide information through a quarterly or occasional info bulletin on new developments, joint projects etc.
Every year members are invited to participate in an Assembly which evaluates< past activities and discusses possible new projects.
We suggest that the Assembly form a small 'Enabling Group' with the following responsibilities:
a) to keep the network going;
b) to encourage new members to join;
c) to prepare the annual meeting and to suggest joint activities;
d) to encourage members to take initiatives;
e) to ensure communication among the members and to supervise the homepage;
f) to be responsible for the budget.
The Enabling Group should be small (not more than 12 members) but care should be taken that the different European regions be represented in its membership Northern, Southern, Western, Central and Eastern Europe). In order ensure an effective partnership we recommend that CCEE and CEC each name a representative on the Group.
Members of the network are expected to meet the cost of their participation. The network will need,however, a solidarity tund to support those members who could not participate otherwise. In addition, flinds are required to finance annual Assemblies, meetings of the Enabling Group, the servicing a homepage or/and publishing a bulletin etc. Each member of the network is expected to contribute to the budget according to his/her capacities. The Enabling Group will have seek ways of raising the money required.
6. We recommend that a first meeting of church people with environmental responsibility be organized in October or November 1998. We would like CCEE and CEC to write to their constituencies (Bishops'Conferences, Churches, National Councils of Churches and Partner Organisations) requesting the nomination of a participant.
The participants in this meeting will form the nucleus of the European Christian Environment Network.
We suggest that the venue of this first meeting should be in a East European country
7. Our Group is prepared to serve until this first meeting as 'Interim Enabling Group' and accept responsibility for the organisation of the meeting.
Apologies (for reason of illness) from:
Hans-Hermann Böhm. (Moderator of the Evangelical Umweltbeauftragte in Germany), Stuttgart, Germany
Jean Pierre Ribaut (Pax Christi, France), Strasbourg, France
At the Assembly in Graz and again in October a group of church people particul&ly concerned with environmental issues met to discuss the best ways to implement this recommendation. In November we addressed a letter with some proposals toCCEE and CEC. We would like to thank both organisations for their encouraging replies.
Please find enclosed a more detailed proposal for a sustained follow up of the Graz recommendation. We hope that the Joint Committee will find time to discuss the proposal and to take the decisions which are required for setting up the network.
22 January 1998
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