'Just Politics' at NJPN Conference 2024

Emerging Leaders - young adults group

'Just Politics' was the focus of the 46th National Justice and Peace (NJPN) Conference held over the weekend at Swanwick in Derbyshire. Politicians, community organisers, religious, clergy, students and charity workers were among 160 people who came together for an intense weekend of listening and sharing. Besides talks and workshops, there was a Just Fair Market, children's activities, art and poetry exhibition, liturgies and music led by the Lay Benedictines.

Welcoming participants, conference chair, former Leeds West MP Sir John Battle, said the weekend was "about active, practical hope" coming so soon after the General Election. He said "our task is not to disengage from politics, to engage and search for solutions together for the good of all. In his contributions he frequently referred to Catholic Social Teaching which inspired vision and social action by Catholics.

After worship led by members of the Lay Community of St Benedict, and an introduction by NJPN chair Anne Peacey, the keynote address was given by Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani, Anglican Bishop of Chelmsford, who has served in the House of Lords for three years. In her thoughtful reflection she regretted that "trust in politics is at a 40-year low" and called for "a politics which serves every community." Bishop Guli said politically-engaged Church groups are inspired by the Gospel message of Christ "which is inherently political", and affirmed Caritas groups and others who are already engaging with MPs. She noted that the Trussell Trust is among those assisting poor families in the UK, and raising awareness of the imperative to tackle poverty at its sources as well as feeding the hungry through foodbanks. Read Bishop Guli's address: www.indcatholicnews.com/news/50241

John Battle thanked Bishop Guli for being "a visionary example of political engagement, powerfully showing the need for a faith voice."

On the Saturday morning, Molly Scott Cato, finance and economy spokesperson for the Green Party, gave an insightful talk on the importance of democracy: "You can't have peace without democracy and justice." She highlighted the risk of rising fascism and gave some ideas on how to counter it - accompanied by some sharp graphics.

She also called for more citizenship education, citizens' assemblies and engaging with the democratic process.

In the afternoon, Steve Whiting, former manager of the Quaker programme 'Turning the Tide', also underlined the importance of political lobbying on justice and peace issues. He said: "listening and responding to promptings of love and truth can bring about amazing things in the world" but he went on to ask: "How often do we examine what is causing suffering and the politics and power behind it?"

The conference Mass, with music led by Lay Benedictines, was celebrated by Fr Dominic Robinson SJ, chair of Westminster Justice and Peace Commission. In his homily he encouraged the congregation "to pass on a message of great hope, proclaiming a kingdom of justice and peace." Bidding prayers called for "just and caring politics" and for campaigners "to model a better way of living and being in our communities so that we can be an inspiration for a just politics.."

After the Mass there was was a real change of tone, as eight young people - 'Emerging Leaders' - took to the stage and had a forthright and refreshing discussion about their hopes and dreams for the future. Asked how faith has shaped their politics, several referred to Catholic Social Teaching... "Activism and my faith are completely intertwined..." one said. "I strongly believe in a preferential option for the poor and the Common Good," another commented. But they also called for a more inclusive, welcoming, caring, listening church. One young woman said she hoped to see women's ordination, and greater LGBT+ rights. Several voiced concern for the environment and world peace. One young person pointed out how dull church can be sometimes. We have such a Good News story - church should be more joyful, more "fun" she said. The group received a standing ovation at the end of their session.

Michael Chambers of Million Minutes reported on research that found just 47 per cent of young people felt the Church cared "a lot" about social justice.

On the Sunday morning, a team from Tyne and Wear Citizens, including Fr Chris Hughes of Hexham and Newcastle Diocese, reported on their campaigns for a living wage, fair bus fares for students and park maintenance and development. Fr Hughes called for more dioceses to become 'living wage employers'. He shared that only seven out of 30 Catholic dioceses in England, Wales and Scotland currently pay the national Living Wage.

After their presentation they led an action-planning session with all those present. Representatives from several dioceses pledged to lobby against the two-child cap on benefits, which has pushed many families into poverty. Pax Christi England and Wales expressed interest in community organising techniques for planning its autumn campaigning against arms fairs.

CAFOD and SVP spoke about their "year of encounter" programme, following up on their successful mobilising of the Catholic voice in the general election in more than 300 parishes and 200 constituencies and during which, 123 parishes organised hustings.

Caritas Social Action Network spoke about their "do justice" campaign and urged ongoing political engagement.

Intolerant language towards refugees by politicians was singled out for criticism and also sexism in churches, such as the use of non-inclusive language.

The children and young people's group brought some impressive posters up on the stage. One quoted HG Wells saying: 'End wars before they end us!'

Throughout the conference there was a series of workshops on a range of issues - a shame people could only attend a couple - they all looked so interesting!

I attended 'Creating the Passion for Change' led by Lyn Vollering and Michael Quille who presented their exhibition of sculpture and poetry on the theme of a modern Stations of the Cross. They then led us into a session of creative activity around poetry, prose and drawings.

Sarah Bryson, Assistant director (North) at Citizens UK said: "If this weekend has taught us anything, it is that we do not have a shortage of good people. All of us are capable of building relational power to bring about change."

Raymond Friel OBE said: "Where are all the young people in the Church - we (my generation) often ask. Well here are some of them speaking at the NJPN conference with great passion and wisdom about just politics and a vision for a better society."

Recordings of the talks will be available on the NJPN website later in the week: www.justice-and-peace.org.uk/.

We'll be bringing more reports here and more pictures on the ICN Facebook page soon.