Conference of European Churches Office of Communications Press Release No. 06-12/e 4 May 2006
CHURCHES CALL FOR A EUROPEAN PEACE AGENCY
The role of the political institutions and the role of the churches on issues relating to Peace, Security and Reconciliation was the main theme taken up by the 40 church representatives from 18 European countries, who attended the plenary meeting of the Church and Society Commission of the Conference of European Churches (CEC) in Sigtuna, Sweden, from 29 April to 3 May 2006.
Ambassador Alyson J.K Bailes from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), addressing the meeting with a keynote speech, emphasised the importance of regional cooperation across national borders as an important mechanism for conflict prevention, non-violent conflict management and peace keeping. The meeting regarded increased regional cooperation as a challenge for the political institutions and, equally, for the churches themselves.
In particular, the European Union, with its various political and economic possibilities to promote peace and security, was seen as an increasingly important actor carrying a major responsibility. The EU is to be seen as a quite successful peace project in itself. The churches will continue to critically monitor the developments towards a more coherent Security and Defence Policy (ESDP) in the Union. Churches emphasise the need for an effective early warning and conflict prevention system as well as non-violent means of conflict management and peacekeeping.
Following up on earlier interventions of churches, for instance, in relation to the EU's European Security Strategy (adopted in December 2003) and the Draft Treaty Establishing a Constitution for Europe, the Church and Society Commission urges the European Union and its Member States to strengthen the Union's capacity in the area of non-military means of conflict management. It also calls for the establishment of a European Peace Agency in order to enhance additional research and an active engagement in conflict prevention and the peaceful settlement of conflicts.
The plenary meeting also recognised the important contribution of the Council of Europe and the Organization for Security & Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in conflict prevention through the implementation of human rights as well as through strengthening civil society engagement.
Peter Brune, Director of the church-related Life and Peace Institute in Uppsala, challenged the audience to recognise the expertise within churches to engage in conflict prevention and non-violent conflict mediation. But he also stated, "As churches we need to increase our competence on peace and conflict." In particular, he urged churches to become more involved in reflections and discussions about security issues. "What is the churches' understanding of security and which consequences derive out of that?" he asked.
In an age where religion is often misused or portrayed as fuelling conflicts, the Church and Society Commission committed itself to enhance its work in relation to peace, security and reconciliation; in relation to the European institutions on the one hand and in supporting a strengthened witness of the churches on the other. The main emphasis of the Church and Society Commission work programme in this field will be to reflect on the relationship of security and vulnerability from a faith perspective, to promote conflict prevention and non-violent forms of conflict management in relation to the European Institutions, and to support existing (church-related) networks in their efforts to capacity building and promoting a regional approach. * * * *
The Conference of European Churches (CEC) is a fellowship of some 125 Orthodox, Protestant, Anglican and Old Catholic Churches from all countries of Europe, plus 40 associated organisations. CEC was founded in 1959. It has offices in Geneva, Brussels and Strasbourg.
For information: CEC Office of Communications Luca Negro Phone +41 22 791 64 85 or 791 63 25 Fax +41 22 791 62 27 e-mail Luca.Negro@cec-kek.org