Churches explore contribution to a sustainable Europe
-04/05/05
The 5th Assembly of the European Christian Environmental Network (ECEN) begins today in Basle, Switzerland, under the theme; “The Churches’ contribution to a sustainable Europe”.
Under the spotlight will be ecological tax reform and whether Europe ‘lives beyond its means’.
The Assembly will also discuss the findings of ECEN working groups on “Creation Time”, climate change, motorised mobility, church eco-management, water and education, and sustainable development.
Founded in 1998, ECEN is a network of ecologically engaged Christians from different confessions (Protestant, Orthodox and Roman Catholic). It is closely linked with the Conference of European Churches (CEC, which ensures its secretariat) and is open to the participation of Christians from all denominations.
The conference comes at a time when churches have stepped up their environmental campaigning with the Archbishop of Canterbury suggesting that Anglicans should go organic and new initiatives to curb climate change.
“The Churches’ contribution to a sustainable Europe” is the theme of the Assembly which will be hosted by the local Protestant and Roman Catholic Churches.
The venue of the Assembly is the Basel Missionshaus (House of Mission).
More than 130 participants are expected from various European countries, both eastern and western.
An exhibition on the churches’ contribution to a sustainable Europe will be open from 3 to 29 May in the Offene Kirche Elisabethen.