NJPN North West Justice & Peace E-Bulletin, August 2016

NJPN Conference

The August bulletin contains a report from the recent annual conference of the National Justice and Peace Network with the theme, 'Justice, Power and Responsibility; How Can Democracy Work for the Common Good?'. The main speakers were: Jon Cruddas Labour MP for Dagenham and Rainham, Jenny Sinclair of Together for the Common Good, Polly Jones of Global Justice Around, Takura Gwatiyanya of Caritas Harare and Simon Barrow from the think tank Ekklesia. Jenny Sinclair, founder and director of Together for the Common Good, called for the establishment of a relationship-based model grounded in the common good. "After Brexit we need an examination of conscience " she said. "It's time to climb out of our silos and see what else is going on - looking across sectors, and ecumenically - from parish to boardroom.' The special role of the Church is to encourage relationships between estranged groups, she said. "We must be clear where our centre of gravity lies - transcending party politics."

A post Brexit statement by the Catholic Association for Racial Justice also features. Athough CARJ is a relatively small organisation, it has extensive networks of people in local areas, working with others to build a more just, more equal, more cooperative society. It concerns itself with a variety of issues facing marginalised communities - housing, education, poverty, criminal justice, etc. CARJ is available to support anyone who is trying to prevent hate crime or to re-build an atmosphere of mutual respect in our society.

Concerns about the abolition of the Departnent of Energy and Climate Change by the new prime minster are voiced, but also Christian Aid's praise of the new Government for a solid start on climate change, as the Fifth Carbon Budget passed both Houses of Parliament less than a week after the new Prime Minister was appointed. Materials for Creation Time (1 September - 4 October) are listed.

The news that 16 dioceses have moved to green energy is welcomed. They are: Arundel and Brighton, Birmingham, Cardiff, Clifton, East Anglia, Lancaster, Leeds, Liverpool, Menevia, Middlesbrough, Northampton, Nottingham, Plymouth, Salford, Shrewsbury and Westminster.

The newsletter can be accessed at:

https://jpshrewsbury.wordpress.com/e-bulletins/