World Student Christian Federation Europe Region Living faith together for justice. Learn More
WSCF-Europe Regional Committee and Staff met in Helsinki in February 2016. The working committee dealt with
You can download the official minutes of this meeting here:
WSCF ExCo Members present in Palermo Meeting (L-R): Immanuel Kitnan, Vice-chairperson; Fanny Chung, Asia Representative; Oscar Reicher, LAC Representative; Danny ElObeid, Middle East Representative; Lydia Nabunya, Africa Representative; Annika Foltin, Europe Representative; Brandi Friesen Thorpe, North America Representative; and Bronwyn Claire, Treasurer
“My mind was at peace as I felt that the Holy Spirit in the way we can not predict is taking WSCF in another level. WSCF future is bright and those called to minister at this time should be more careful and work with their full mind and heart to be in God’s plans,” said Georgine Kengne Djeutane, WSCF Interim Chairperson expressing her thoughts one month after leading the successful WSCF Executive Committee and Transition Team extra-ordinary meeting on December 15 to 16, in Palermo Sicily.
The WSCF Executive Committee (Exco) approved the proposals of the WSCF Transition Team summarized in the Palermo Communique released on December 23, 2014. The Communique outlined the significant decisions, among which was appointing one, instead of two General Secretaries and the subsequent plan to amend its constitutional provisions. The Exco appointed out-going Transition Team Interim Staff Coordinator, Necta Montes, former Asia Pacific Secretary and senior friend from the Philippines as Secretary General to lead the next process. Necta begins her new role this January 2016 and will hold a temporary office at the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) national office in Quezon City Philippines during the transition period.
“The task ahead continues to be daunting, systemic and structural changes in a context of a historic institution like the Federation will take time, but I have no doubt that as generation of young and committed SCMs take part in God’s work for justice and peace in different parts and context of the world, WSCF’s legacy of building ecumenical leaders will continue” said Necta Montes. She pointed out the importance of the new Strategic Plan in concretizing WSCF’s commitment to work for Ecological Justice, Identity, Diversity and Dialogue (IDD), Peace Building and Dialogue and Higher Education. She believes that the implementation of this Plan is key to the organization’s transition from an “organization that was heavily focused towards itself, its own survival to an organization that is oriented towards its mission to the world,” said Montes. These thematic focus cut-across five of WSCF’s Programmatic Strategies on Biblical and Theological Analysis, Advocacy and Solidarity, Ecumenical Transformative Diakonia, Capacity Building and Movement Building.
This mission orientation is also reflected in the Executive Committee’s decision to appoint former Regional Secretaries as Regional Executives and Global Program Directors, “reflecting the changing nature of their work and priorities…(and) plan for global coordination and the integration of strategic programming will be the main feature of work in the next four years,” according to the Palermo Communique.
Following this decision, Luciano Kovacs from Italy was appointed Regional Executive for North America and Global Program Director for Advocacy and Solidarity, Sunita Suna from India as Regional Executive for Asia Pacific and Global Program Director for Identity, Diversity and Dialogue, Amos Mushwendwa from Tanzania as Regional Executive for Africa and Global Program Director for Bible and Theology, Elsy Wakil from Lebanon as Regional Executive for Middle East and Global Program Director for Peace Building and Overcoming Violence, Marcelo Leites from Uruguay as Regional Executive for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) and Global Program Director for Eco Justice, and Natia Tsintsadze from Italy as Regional Executive for Europe and Global Program Executive for Interfaith.
Reminding the newly appointed WSCF Global Staff Team of their priorities ahead, Kengne Djeutane exclaimed, “we should continue to seek the unity and the renewal of the church in a context where Christian faith is challenged and the growing of religious persecution, terrorism and destructive sects etc. WSCF should continue to nurture and develop prophetic leaders in their program addressing transformative Diakonia and other social, economic and cultural issues. Most importantly should address the growing issue of migration with all its ramification.”
The Executive Committee thanked the members of the WSCF Transition Team composed of Georgine Kengne Djeutane, Necta Montes, Salters Sterling, Marco Fornerone, Chris Ferguzon, Pretty Mubaiwa and Bronwyn Claire for their invaluable work and contribution in the transition work.
WSCF Global Staff Team 2016 (L-R): Necta Montes, Marcelo Leites, Elsy Wakil, Natia Tsintsadze, Luciano Kovacs, Sunita Suna, and Amos Mushendwa
Transition Team members present in Palermo (L-R): Necta Montes, Marco Fornerone, Salters Sterling, Georgine Kengne Djeutane and Bronwyn Claire
Congratulations to SCM Indonesia on their 66th anniversary from Europe Region!
May God bless your ecumenical work on social justice, access to education and womens rights. We pray for the future of your SCM and send our blessings to all your members and Christians in your country.
We thank you for our friendship and wish it flourish in the future.
Krista Autio
Global Networking Coordinator
Apply now for three interesting international summer camps in Italy’s Waldensian Valley.
Scholarships available for those who apply by March 1, 2016.
Childhood in the Bible: a path between Ancient and New Testament
This year’s camp will lead us in a reflective journey about a not very well known but very important Biblical reality: childhood. Through a reflection on the nature of childhood in the Bible, we will examine its understanding in our societies and how such an understanding characterizes our reading of the Bible today. What does being known as a “son/daughter of” imply as opposed to being recognized by one’s own name? What does it mean to be a child? Is childhood an important phase or is it just an anticipatory phase? If there were no childhood and we entered directly into adulthood, would there be any differences in our being humans.
We will have a week of discussions, speeches, games, artistic activities, and reflections where we will get to know each other and our cultures to challenge and support each other with this particular reading perspective. Jesus said that we should be like children. Come and join us so we can discover together what that could mean! Read more.
Felicità, felicidad, happiness, bonheur, Fröehlichkeit, шчасце, 幸せ, ευτυχία, счастье, mutluluk, kabungahan.
We seek it and we know what we want to find…
We are more and more influenced by economy-related issues where happiness is measured in terms of financial wealth or portrayed as a product to buy. Our long working hours are pawned for food and we gnaw on a piece of zircon thinking it’s really a diamond. It seems to us that the more we try to achieve the happiness packaged by advertising and by some media, the more enslaved we become. Almost as it is only given to approach it but not to reach it. Is there a “more real” happiness than others? Happiness is measurable in brain activity in a given state of rest? What is our idea of happiness? Are we able to look for “our” happiness without completely giving in to the influence of external forces, without undermining our desire to live, without becoming compulsive consumers.
How many languages will we write our manifesto for happiness in? Read more.
Migration: Breaking down boundaries on a journey towards a common home
From the very beginning, humans have always been on the move, seeking safe refuge and livelihoods. However, in today’s ‘globalized’ world – where goods and capital can cross borders – people fleeing from wars, repressive regimes, poverty and climate-induced crises encounter myriad physical, legal and socio-cultural barriers. Migrants are often seen as threats to identity and security as well as competitors for scarceresources. Their desperation not only makes them vulnerable to traffickers, but also to exploitation by a global economic system founded on cheap labour.
Against this backdrop, the 2016 Agape International Political Camp aims to provide a platform for discussing the following questions:
The WSCF has had a historical relationship with the international ecumenical center of Agape in Northern Italy, which helped build right after World War II as a symbol of reconciliation among the nations that had been at war in the conflict. Youth and students from different parts of the worlds, many of whom are members of national SCMs across the world – were convened by visionary Waldensian Pastor Tullio Vinay to contribute their energy and vision to build the Agape center, which has been ever since at the forefront of cutting edge theological, social, political and gender reflections. Every year in August three international conferences, one on theology, one on political issues, and one on voluntary work are held at the Center. Scholarships from the Agape Center enable young adult and student participation. Are Kaspersen (SCM Sweden) has attended Agape camp last year – read his reflection here.
Agape provides scholarships for people over eighteen who want to take part in the international camps at Agape. In particular they would like to offer scholarships to people from the Southern Hemisphere and Eastern Europe to further their participation in their international camps. They can reimburse some travel expenses and fund the cost of staying at Agape. Regretfully, they are not able to meet every request for financial aid since the demand is greater than the funds that they have available. All applications will be considered carefully.
In particular, Agape appreciates applications from people who would like to take part in all our three international camps and stay longer as a workcamp volunteer.
Deadline for applications: 1 March 2016
For all the information about applying to any of the International Work Camps please visit the Agape website. Please note that prior to applying as WSCF-E delegate, you need to consult the Regional Office for approval. Email to Regional Secretary Natia Tsintsadze on wscf@wscf-europe.org to find out how to become a regional representative. If you send your application to Agape by March 1, you may be eligible for a scholarship.
“We should stop referring to migration in Europe as emergency, it is not, it is a consequence of the historical injustice of colonialism and global economic structure that forced people to migrate”, said Silvia Rapisarda, Waldensian pastor and SCM Italy senior friend, leading the theological reflection during the WSCF Inter-regional Leadership Development Training Program (IRLTP) on Transformative Diakonia on December 9 to 15, 2015.
Focusing on the theme Migration and Refugees, the training program attended by 25 participants from the Student Christian Movements (SCMs) was organized in Palermo Sicily, an island hosting an increasing number of migrants from Africa, Middle East and South Asia. According to the Palermo Social Service office, 345 minor migrants arrived via boat a few days before the training participants visited the office. “Because government center cannot cope with the influx, the migrant minors are sent to 38 Communities all-over Palermo where they are provided shelter, clothing, food and counseling by a group of volunteers,” explained the staff.
One such Community is the La Noce Centro Diaconale Instituto Valdese in Palermo, where the WSCF training program was also being held. La Noce hosts 9 young male migrants from Africa aged from 14 to 18, most of whom travelled months before arriving Sicily. Anna Ponente, director of the La Noce Centro explained that the “Community provides education that would allow the migrants to communicate, develop their skills for personal development to fulfill long-term plans. ” A number of migrants coming to Palermo move on to other European countries to join families after completing the mandatory 7 years domicile in Italy.
Torzten Moritz, Coordinator of the Churches Witnessing with Migrants (CWWM) and SCM Germany senior friend lamented the lack of cooperation and coordinated response of the 28 member European states on the recent wave of migrants coming to Europe, “the EU member states needs to update its migration policy and laws to adapt to the changing time” he added. He urged governments to adopt the “Legal Protection Perspective” arguing that migrants and refugees rights are human rights. Asked about the response of churches in Europe, Moritz shared varied ways churches opened their doors to migrants and highlighted the work of churches in Italy and Greece in providing safe passage called “Humanitarian Corridors” and “Humanitarian Visas” for migrants needing immediate humanitarian protection. As of recent, 1,000 visas have been approved by the EU processed through the Humanitarian Corridors.
Mediterranean Hope, a program of the Federation of the Evangelical Churches in Italy is one such response. Alberto Mallardo staff of Mediterranean Hope working in the frontline in Lampedusa island shared, “migrants reception is institutionalized and militarized…once they arrive on the Lampedusa coast, they are whisked away to secured camps where there is no possibility for local people to interact.” Lampedusa, a tiny island south of Sicily with a population of 6,000 received 20,000 migrants, sparking speculation of the growing tension between the locals and migrants. “To combat this negative image we organize reception with local people bringing food, blankets, clothes the moment migrants arrive, established a Cultural Center to break marginalization and stigma” Alberto added during the panel presentation.
Sharing his experience, Massino Gnone, Coordinator of Commission Social Development (CSD) of the Waldensian Church in Prali was critical of government’s approach of repeating the “cycle of dispossession and the identity theft that migrants experience in the course of migrating,” he explained the concept of an Integrated Reception “a shift from sphere of assistance to recognition of (migrants) fundamental rights.” Agreeing with this new approach, Immanuel Simon an International Volunteer at CSD from SCM India works on interfaith and ecumenical approach with migrants to break isolation and establish fellowship with the local residence.
“How do we want the WSCF brand known for its advocacy and action on the issue of migration?” asked Rev. Levi Baustista, assistant general secretary of the GBCS and WSCF Advocacy Solidarity Committee (ASC) senior friend adviser during the skills training. He further urged WSCF to use “forced migration” as most appropriate to differentiate it from voluntary and documented migrants. He also challenged WSCF “advocacy and solidarity with migrants should include accompaniment by creating platform for the voice holders to be present.”
The training program concluded with the adoption of the WSCF Advocacy and Solidarity Plan on migrants, refugees and asylum seekers that will be implemented in the next four years. The Plan calls for consciousness raising and education at the national level, coordination of efforts, participation and advocating for migrants rights in national, regional and global platforms with churches and ecumenical organizations. WSCF will join with CWWM in next Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) schedule in Bangladesh in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
The training program was supported by the Otto Per Mille of the Waldesian Church in Italy, Karibu Foundation, Bread for the World, United Church of Canada, United Church of Christ in the USA, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland and individual donors.
The materials for this year’s celebration were prepared by SCM Britain, on behalf of the Europe Region.
First celebrated in 1898, the Universal Day of Prayer for Students is observed on the third Sunday of February; in 2016 it is celebrated on February 21st. The UDPS is one of the oldest ecumenical days of prayer.
This year’s theme is ‘Stories of Faith’ – highlighting faith reflections and experiences of students and young people from around the world and from different contexts. Our British SCM has prepared the 2016 resource toolkit, which will help you run a UDPS-themed service on Sunday 21 February, with prayer points from universities across Britain, stories of faith from around the world, sermon notes, ideas for small groups, reflections from students and worship and liturgy ideas.
WSCF European Regional Committee is meeting in Helsinki (Finland) on 4-6 February 2016. This will be the first in-person meeting of the New ERC, elected at the 2015 European Regional Assembly. The Committee counts 11 members.
The meeting in Helsinki will have two aims: planning of our projects in 2016 and 2017, and meeting Finnish Senior Friends and SCMers.
You can see your agenda and detailed program points here. For any thoughts or comments, feel free to email Zuzana Babicova at chair@wscf-europe.org.
We are grateful for the support of our Senior Friends in Finland who have helped to arrange many practicalities and meeting venue for the ERC meeting. We look forward to meeting SCMers and Senior Friends in Helsinki.
WSCF-Europe established the post of Global Networking Coordinator at the European Regional Assembly October 2015.
Krista Autio was elected to fill this post at the Assembly, and she reports that the past two months have been very interesting and inspiring.
“My aim was to create a database of contacts for reaching out news from SCM’s of other Regions. This database is under its way. I have collected email addresses, facebook pages and homepage addresses for getting in to contact with people in SCM’s all around the world” – says Krista.
“For every monthly newsletter I write articles about, and with the help of, SCM’s from other Regions. By December we have released two articles in our monthly newsletter from SCM Indonesia and SCM Canada. The first two newsletters of year 2016 are about SCM Colombia and SCM Jordan.”
“Part of my networking post is also to help SCM’s from Europe and other Regions to contact each other, establish relationships for sharing projects and ideas, and gather information about what SCM’s do.”
“If you’re interested in getting help to contact SCM’s in our global family, or you have ideas for articles, please contact me on networking@wscf-europe.org. You are also welcomed to join my contacts.”
Here you have a sneak peek at our new Trento Office location. Starting from 1 January 2016, our new mailing and visiting address is Piazza Centa 9, 38122, Trento.
You can reach us temporarily by this phone number: +39 348 6807658. The newest number will be always updated in the footer of wscf-europe.org homepage.
The summit brought together more than 40 people to Paris for 3 days gathering, 26-28 November 2015, to focus on three topics- climate change, religious extremism and refugee crisis. The main main part of the gathering was contribution of members of RfP International Youth Committee from Africa, Europe, Latin America, North America and Asia and Middle East. Among them – two representatives from WSCF- Natalyia Pylypiv (WSCF Europe) and Marcelo Leites (WSCF Latin America) who are appointed representatives from WSCF to serve on International Youth Committee of Religions for Peace International were aiding the summit as resource persons.
The gathering was facilitated by a Paris based interfaith organisation Coexister which presented its work in the field of dialogue across French plural society. Among many invited speakers were Meherzia Labidi Maiza, Honorary President for Religions for Peace from Tunisia and Jose Henriquez from Pax Cristi who touched upon the topic of the nature of peace being non religious when speaking about refugee crisis. Nataliya Pylypiv also shared her very direct experience with refugees as Human Right Officer in Ukraine.
3 days were filled with lectures, discussions and creating of statement on the three main themes. As a group we joined the COP 21 programme of religious organisations on 28 November taking place in the cathedral of St. Dennis and also a gathering of Act Alliance celebrating achievement of faith-based petition urging political leaders at the COP21 climate summit to take action to curb global warming. From the current board of WSCF Europe, Zuzana Babicova and Annika Foltin joined the summit. It was once again a very fruitful meeting to get to know other organizations and create connections that can outlast the gathering.
Paris Summit Programme
Zuzana Babicová
WSCF-Europe Chairperson
