The word Kairos comes from the Greek mythology where it describes the crucial point in time when the “bull fighter” has to cease the bulls by the horns. Should she/he miss this opportunity the consequences could be fatal - it is a situation of life and death. Metaphorically, in the lifetime of every generation there are such rare moments when fundamental decisions have to be made and should a generation miss this opportunity, the consequences could be fatal.

1992 was one such mile stone in the history of mankind; after 500 years of “colonialism” and two World Wars some 12 Europe countries sought to build a united Europe. A super nation as some may consider it to be. For many progressive minded people however, this was the incumbent birth of a ‘fortress Europe’ which was conceived to escalate the exploitation of the South by the North / the poor by the rich, the maginalistion of the increasingly impoverished powerless and silent majority on this earth.

For a number of NGOs and community based organisations this was the Kairos moment for Europe, this was the time to set credible signs of hope among humanity, nature and the environment; this was an opportunity to create an institution of justice - a Europe for Justice. In their quest for justice, peace and the integrity of nature, they decide to link as many progressive groups and organisations as possible in a process of change. A process which, sought to confront the fundamentally unjust world system from a holistic perception focusing on the multifarious nature of this imbalance. So on a common platform, groups and individuals working on peace, environment, justice and spiritual issues, launched the Kairos Europa process. The “Peoples' Parliament” one important milestone of the process took place in Strasbourg, France. A seven-day event that brought over 500 representatives of grassroots groups and networks from all over Europe to Strasbourg. Also included were representatives from Africa, Asia and Latin America. It was an opportunity to share, deliberate and articulate the grievances of the silent majority to the European Parliament.

In 1995 under the motto “50 years is enough”, a campaign with a hearing in the European parliament in Brussels, Belgium was also launched to draw attention to inherent contradiction of the Bretton-Woods Agreement and the indisputable role it has played in the creation of the deplorable North-South dichotomy .

Now using the occasion of the European Ecumenical Conference in Graz, Austria in July 1997 which focusing on a rather ambiguous theme of “reconciliation”, Kairos Europe seeks to challenge the churches of Europe who have been passive and actives actors in the creating of this unjust World Order to set credible signs of reconciliation. With a series of events and publications KE hopes to confront the hierarchy of Europe’s churches, requesting their active participation in the dismantling of a World Order that is perpetually creating misery and bring suffering to an increasing number of the World’s populace, a World Order that has no respect for humanity, nature or the environment.

Kairos Europa provides a framework within Europe for groups, organisations and networks striving for social justice, peaceful coexistence and preservation of nature, to collaborate and adopt common lines of action. At the moment Kairos Europa runs a number of programme lines, among them is the Migration programme now the Kairos Exile Coalition which facilitate the development of a common framework for understanding and tackling the issue of migration in Europe and its consequences in both the sending and receiving countries as well as the socio-political repercussions for the migrant

The Kairos Jeunesse was a natural evolution of the Kairos Europa process. Realising that the youth have a very important role to play in this process of change, a space was created for young people to part of the process. Kairos J has since 1993/94, ceased the opportunity of Europe’s unification as an open invitation to contribute to creating outward-looking multicultural societies that accepted and respected cultural and religious differences; a Europe free of racism and xenophobia. (see introducing the Kairos Jeunesse process)

The motivation for initiating this North/South Youth Exchange on migration “Migration: the Illusions & the Realities” is deep-rooted and varied. Many of the barriers that hinder the process of creating a better and more just society for Humanity are man-made, (and certainly male dominated). These are artificial barriers that are often implanted into the minds of man mostly by political institutions or individuals acting in the interest of capital and short term economic gains. It has always been in the interest of the rich and powerful few to see the peoples of the world divided along lines of race, ethnicity, religion, political inclination or what have you.

Under this diabolical principle of divide and rule they subject the World’s majority to their tyrannical rule. Divided we are hardly a threat to their dominance in determining the cause of history. Some of these artificial barriers; colour, creed, culture have become so deeply rooted in the minds of many adults that there is hardly a chance of winning them over to champion a cause that is blind to these. The chance for a change lies with the youth; filled with youthful exuberant and the zeal for change we poses the potential to champion a cause that is blind to colour, creed or cultural differences; a cause that is people-centred with the interest of humanity as it’s central focus.

So in addressing a symptom (i.e. migration) of a sick society, though it might be helpful to look at its root causes from specific geographical regions or cultural areas, like the Mediterranean region or the Sub-Saharan area, there is an eminent danger of becoming very myopic or short-sighted in seeking long lasting solutions. The Kairos methodology for addressing the root causes of the ills of our society is a dualistic approach; using various local or regional experiences to build a global perception and action. Thus the initiative is to create an opportunity to for all to enrich their perception about this age-old symptom - migration.

Certainly migration is not the problem it is only an indicator of the unjust redistribution of the world’s worth.

In addressing such issues we often have, the so often justified academic desire to find a fitting definition for the phenomenon. In other words to limit our scope of perception, to segregate, to separate or to divide ... Obviously for our purpose a definition is only useful if it is operational. That is, if it is to help us achieve our overriding gaol - a world free of such ills. If we should adopt an operational definition that draws a wedge between the migrant worker, the political refugee, the economic refugee, the illegal migrant, displaced victims of wars and natural/human catastrophes and what have you, we would be playing into the hands of those who seek to divide and dominate, because all these categories of people are all victims of an unjust system that can only be changed united and not divided.

On the 28th November in Barcelona, Spain the 15 members of the E European Union and the 11 countries of the Mediterranean including a representation of the Peoples of Palestine - Yasser Arafat - adopted a declaration that set the framework for a Europe-Mediterranean financial and economic co-operation together with an agreement for a political and security partnership. Obviously the major concern of the countries of the European Union was to remove or reduce the threat from the Mediterranean region to its political and economic stability. Predictably one of the main items of the discussion was the issue of the so-called clandestine/illegal immigrants who are purported to pose a threat to economic and social stability.

During that same time the Spanish social movements organised an alternative Mediterranean conference with over 2000 participants from 300 NGOs of 18 different countries. They drew attention to the fact that it is impossible to create a space for economic co-operation (Euro-Med) without integrating the social, political and cultural aspects. They also pointed out that it was not only incorrect but also morally wrong to present the Mediterranean countries as a permanent menace to the stabilisation of the countries of the European Union. And that the issue of security was more than military arsenals but it encompasses economic and social development as well as participation in the decision making process and respecting the fundamental human rights of all. The priority of any such co-operation should be the reduction of poverty and the elimination of its root causes.

Taking queue from this point of view and convinced that for any such initiative to succeed it would need the involvement of the younger generation, KAIROS JEUNESSE decided to initiate a series of youth exchanges on this theme and channel the expressed view points to the decision makers and lobbyists. Hence the underlying aim here is to provide a space for the youth to contribute to the process of change. A process that will redefine the framework within which coming generation will live and work coexisting in harmony, accepting and respecting their religious and cultural difference and jointly strive for higher human standards.

Kairos Jeunesse European Secretariat - Brussels, 25.07.1996