China theme for J&P Conference 2012

This year's annual National Justice and Peace Network conference 20-22 July has the theme: 'A New World Order - China Today and Our Response.' It will take place at the Hayes Conference Centre in Swanwick, Derbyshire. All welcome, and there is a special programme for young people attending the conference.

As China emerges as a major player on the world stage, our need for a deeper understanding of its reality also grows. This conference will seek to: raise awareness about the economic, environmental and military role of China in the world; understand about the Church in China; and learn about the culture of the Chinese people. It is the 34th annual Conference of the National Justice & Peace Network and is organised in conjunction with Cultural Exchange with China (CEC) and Leeds Justice & Peace Commission.

SPEAKERS:

Xinran was a radio journalist in China before moving to London where she wrote The Good Women of China (2002). Her new book, Message From an Unknown Chinese Mother (2010), is a collection of stories from Chinese mothers who have lost or had to abandon children. Xinran often advises the media about western relations with China, and makes frequent television and radio appearances.

John Baptist Zhang is a diocesan priest from Hebei Province, China. He and his team have been dedicated to the works of media evangelization, social services and academic studies, so as to promote dialogue, reconciliation and cooperation within the Church in China, and between the Church and society in China.

Martin Palmer is Secretary General of the Alliance of Religions and Conservation. He has worked in the field of religions and the environment for more than 30 years and is a regular radio and television commentator, invited to speak on religious, ethical and historical issues.

Li Bingqin is a lecturer in Social Policy at the London School of Economics, a research associate of The Centre for Analyses of Social Exclusion and member of the Cities Program, both at LSE. Her current research projects include migrant housing in Chinese cities, intergenerational support in Chinese cities, and social inclusion of rural to urban migrants.

The conference will be chaired by Fr Eamonn O'Brien, the Columban Director of Cultural Exchange with China.

Cardinal Keith O'Brien will celebrate Mass during the conference.

WORKSHOPS:

Workshops include: China in developing countries; the environment; China's development; migrant workers in the UK; HIV & AIDS projects in China; the role of women; the Churches in China; other faith traditions; Chinese history and culture; the impact of Chinese buyers on the UK property market; students and young people; human rights; the arms trade. Plus sessions on Tai Chi and Chinese calligraphy

Booking forms downloadable from the NJPN website at: www.justice-and-peace.org.uk

Cultural Exchange with China www.cecuk.org