Jan. 31, 2008, Burlington, Ont. -Christian Reformed churches in Canada are ramping up efforts to push for peace and reconciliation and an end to the war in Afghanistan.
The church's mobilization and advocacy comes in the wake of the release of the Manley Panel report, which was commissioned by the Canadian government to examine the country's future role in Afghanistan.
Chaired by former Deputy Prime Minister John Manley, the panel has just delivered its recommendations to Canadians. In the process, the panel's report has drawn widespread discussion and debate across the country, says Mike Hogeterp, spokesperson for the Committee for Contact with the Government (CCG), a justice ministry of the Christian Reformed churches in Canada.
"It's time for a deepened plan for peace and justice in Afghanistan" says Hogeterp. "Now is an important time for CRC people to have their say on Afghanistan."
In the coming months the issue will be a hot item in government and in the media, as Canada decides its role in Afghanistan after 2009.
The CCG, says Hogeterp, plans to encourage faithful Christians to take political action through its mobilization website (www.crcna.org/ccg), which includes broad peace-building resources <http://www.crcna.org/pages/mobilize.cfm#learn> , instructions and sample letters for government contact, <http://www.crcna.org/pages/mobilize.cfm#act> and liturgical reflections <http://www.crcna.org/pages/mobilize.cfm#pray> on peace and hope.
"True peace in Afghanistan must start on a foundation of reconciliation, hope, and a very real sense of trust and healing among Afghans," says Hogeterp.
The CCG made a submission
<http://www.crcna.org/site_uploads/uploads/CCG_Dec07_-_Peace_with_Justic e_in_Afghanistan.pdf> to the Manley Panel, asking that Canada address the root causes of conflict in Afghanistan by and investing in diplomacy, aid and comprehensive reconciliation efforts while taking care of pressing security concerns.
"There will be no security without some basic provisions for justice and reconciliation," says Hogeterp. The CCG's advocacy has been inspired by the CRC's position on peacebuilding, first laid out in Synod's 2006 report on War and Peace <http://www.crcna.org/pages/synodwarpeace.cfm> . That report calls all CRC members to be "agents of shalom in a war-torn world."
The Panel's report to the Canadian government showed encouraging signs that public debate may soon become more transparent and constructive, allowing well-informed discussion on the path to peace. Much recent discussion has centered on security and the counterinsurgency war, while talk of reconciliation and governance - as basic elements of lasting peace - has languished, says Hogeterp.
Among its recommendations, the report asks the Canadian government to:
* Continue with its responsibility for security in Kandahar beyond February 2009, provided benchmarks for coordination and new international support are met.
* Ask NATO to assign an additional l,000 soldiers to Kandahar before February 2009.
* Assert a stronger and more disciplined diplomatic position regarding Afghanistan and the regional players.
* In concert with its allies, press for appointment of a high-level civilian representative of the UN Secretary General to ensure greater coherence in the civilian and military effort in Afghanistan.
* Push for early adoption by NATO of a comprehensive political-military plan to address security concerns and imbalances.
* Ask the Afghan government to tackle corruption, ensure basic services, and to pursue political reconciliation in Afghanistan.
* Help train the Afghan National Security Forces expeditiously to take lead responsibility for security in Kandahar and Afghanistan as a whole.
* Revamp Canada's contribution to the reconstruction and development of Afghanistan by giving higher priority than at present to direct, bilateral project assistance that addresses the immediate, practical needs of the Afghans.
* Provide the public with franker and more frequent reporting on events in Afghanistan, offering more assessments of Canada's role, ensuring transparency on mission balance and coordination, and giving greater emphasis to the diplomatic and reconstruction efforts.
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Henry Hess
Director of Communication
Christian Reformed Church
To learn more about the Christian Reformed Church visit us at www.crcna.org <http://www.crcna.org
"It is a serious waste to let a day go by without allowing God to change us."-Richard Rolle, The Fire of Love