Catholic Conference to focus on China

Around 300 Justice and Peace campaigners from across England and Wales will gather in Derbyshire 20-22 July for their annual conference, which this year focuses on China. The title of the conference is ‘A New World Order? – China Today and our response’. 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.

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.

The conference will be chaired by Fr Eamonn O’Brien, the Columban Director of Cultural Exchange with China. Cardinal Keith O’Brien, who has visited China with Cultural Exchange with China, will celebrate Mass during the conference.

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.

WORKSHOPS

Workshops include; China in developing countries; the environment; China’s development; 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. Plus sessions on Tai Chi and Chinese calligraphy

Workshop leaders include Geoffrey Chongo of the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection in Zambia, who will look at Chinese investment in Africa; CAFOD’s Jim Simmons, who will explore the Church and HIV in China; Pax Christi’s Pat Gaffney who will explore the Arms Trade in relation to China, and Wah Piow who will address Chinese Migration to the UK.

JUST FAIR

Agencies will be displaying goods, resources, and information at a ‘Just Fair’ marketplace.

CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE

Children and young people are a vital part of the NJPN conference. There will be a specially designed Y-KIDS Programme for 5 to 11 year olds. 12 to 18 year olds will explore the conference theme in an active and thought provoking weekend.

Booking forms downloadable from www.justice-and-peace.org.uk. NJPN Administrator Ann Kelly admin@justice-and-peace.org.uk tel:020 7901 4864 / 07890 066309