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Good to meet up this evening with several people from across Europe who were at the CEJI course in Brussels last November – all practitioners/activists in their own fields. The kind of work we’re involved in draws from the whole person, so catching up inevitably includes news of love affairs and bereavements – between us, over the last six months, we cover much of what it means to be human in 2010.
It’s refreshing to be amongst people who have different geographic and historic starting points – I tend to get very London-centric. Before I left, I was told more than once that the UK is perceived to be ahead of the game on inter-faith relations compared to other European countries. But each nation has a very specific history and rather different challenges to rise to: Germany’s relationship with Turkey and its guest worker scheme; the way France’s tradition of laïcité is playing out in response to current demands.
I’m hoping that strengthening contact between grassroots multifaith groups across Europe will enable us to learn from one another in the broadest sense.
Looking forward to tomorrow’s workshops.
Robin Sclafani, CEJI Director, speaking at the Town Hall
The CEJI course on combating religious discrimination finishes tomorrow – what a blast. An extraordinary bunch of people involved in so many different organisations, groups and movements. We shared tagine and couscous after a certification ceremony at the local Town Hall in Brussels.
CEJI and our course is based in Saint-Josse-ten-Noode/Sint-Joost-ten-Node, which describes itself as:
The smallest commune in Brussels also happens to be the most densely populated. Although small, this commune is full of striking contrasts. The international-class hotels on Place Rogier/Rogierplein, the tower blocks of offices on Place Madou/Madouplein and the little Manhattan of the North rub shoulders with neighbourhoods where the mainly Turkish population has recreated the chipper, bustling atmosphere of an Eastern city.
Ruth on the last evening
The Mayor’s representative reminded us of Martin Niemoller’s poem – and particularly of our responsibilities as educated people and intellectuals to keep raising awareness and to keep fighting injustice and discrimination. In our privileged position we cannot say we didn’t know.
First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a communist;
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist;
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew;
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak out for me.
There are always hopes at the end of weeks such as this that people will stay in touch and be able to support each other, but a reality check means that this takes time and effort and people quickly get caught up with their lives back home.
My hopes include exchanging ideas and resources on Faith Literacy UK with those who are involved in other countries.
Europeans from four countries
I’d also like to keep in touch with one of the participants who is keen to develop links between the academy and local communities – just as Wandsworth Community Empowerment Network is doing with the Open University and (funding permitting) University College London.
Mark and Adrian
Maxine & Luc
Best of all, it would be good to meet up with people again. There are plans for a summer conference in Switzerland which sounds unusual – I’m up for that.
Ruth and Luc, the wonderful people guiding us through the material, have somehow managed to keep a very disparate group together and learning from one another all week. Dank u wel & merci bien.
