Basilea: 5th Assembly of the European Christian Environmental Network (ECEN), The Churches’ contribution to a sustainable Europe (4-8 May 2005)

5TH ECEN ASSEMBLY IN BASEL, SWITZERLAND, 4-8 MAY:
THE CHURCHES’ CONTRIBUTION TO A SUSTAINABLE EUROPE

The 5th Assembly of the European Christian Environmental Network (ECEN) will take place from 4-8 May 2005 in Basel, Switzerland. ECEN was founded in 1998 following a recommendation of the second European Ecumenical Assembly (Graz, Austria 1997). It is a network of ecologically engaged Christians from different confessions (Protestant, Orthodox and Roman Catholic). ECEN 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 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 will be the Basel Missionshaus (House of Mission). More than 130 participants are expected from various European countries, both eastern and western.

The programme includes several public events, such as:

– an opening worship in the Titus Church of Basel, with a visit to its solar installations (Thursday 5, 10h00);
– a plenary on the Assembly theme with Margrete Auken, Denmark, member of the European Parliament (Thursday 5, 14h30);
– a plenary on ecumenical work on environmental issues with Dr Keith Clements, General Secretary of CEC, and Mgr Aldo Giordano, General Secretary of the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences (CCEE) (Friday 6, 14h30);
– a panel discussion on ecological tax reform in the Aula of the University, with speakers from Switzerland, Germany and Greece (Friday 6, 18h00)
– a panel discussion on the theme “Does Europe live far beyond its means?” with Dr Ernst Ulrich von Weizsäcker (German MP), Maya Graf (Swiss MP) and Dr Mathis Wackernagel (director of the Global Footprint Network, California), in the “Offene Kirche Elisabethen” (Saturday 7, 19h30);
– a closing service in the Cathedral of Basel (Münster) (Sunday 8, 10h00).

The Assembly will also be an opportunity to share and to deepen the findings of the ECEN working groups on “Creation Time”, climate change, motorised mobility, church eco-management, water and education, and sustainable development.

An exhibition on the churches’ contribution to a sustainable Europe will be open from 3 to 29 May in the Offene Kirche Elisabethen.

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For information:
Office of Communications
Conference of European Churches
Phone +41 22 791 64 85 or 791 63 25
Fax +41 22 791 62 27
e-mail Luca.Negro@cec-kek.org