April 1998

European Kairos Document
There has been a very encouraging response to the Kairos Document and a revised version is now available. The number and variety of responses have demonstrated that it is impossible for any single document to attempt, let alone claim, that it appropriately reflects the many and varied situations in the European regions. The document is not the definitive statement about Europe! It can provide a basis for discussion. Kairos UK plans to provide two opportunities for discussion on the document.

If you wish to add your signature in support of the document then your name could be added to the version that will be circulated after May 15th. Please write to Grassroots before May 12th indicating your support and in which capacity you wish to sign. Signatures can be as individuals or on behalf of organisations. Copies of the revised version are available from the Grassroots office for 1.50.

Birmingham - Saturday May 16th - Lunch time discussion - 11am to 1.30 pm Dr Johnson House, Bull Street.
This will be an informal discussion with representatives of Kairos Europa who are attending activities around the G8 Summit. Please bring your own lunch. Drinks will be provided.

Cardiff - Saturday June 13th - Responding to the Kairos Moment - 11am to 12.30 pm
Tredegarville Baptist Church Hall, The Parade, Cardiff This will be an open meeting which will include comment from Ulrich Duchrow and other Kairos Europa representatives and contributions from groups in Britain.

The intention is that the period from June 1998 to June 1999 will be used to work on the issues raised in the document. This will be done in regions so that groups have the opportunity to focus on the issues that are most relevant to their particular context. It is hoped that the document will provide the opportunity for different groups to come together and build alliances. Responses from these different groups will be put together and published in the summer of 1999 and a gathering will be held in October 1999 for debate and presentation of the common agendas to the European Union.

One response to the document is to find other ways of communicating its message. Dorothy Peart has prepared a Cartoon booklet and would welcome suggestions. She can be contacted at 35 Hampden Road, BIRMINGHAM, B12 9TB. Another group are interested in preparing appropriate liturgy and Rachel Day would welcome contributions from others at Flat 25 YWCA, 1 Stone Road, Edgbaston, BIRMINGHAM, B15 2MH.

Simon Barrow of the Churches Commission on Mission is the key contact and will be liaising with Ulrich on the development of the process in Britain.

Partnership of Equals
1498 was the year when Vasco da Gama circumnavigated the Cape of Good Hope on his way to India. 1998 is being marked as the UN Year for Africa and the people of South Asia will be 'Revisiting 500 years of history' with a march across India.

Kairos Jeunesse, which is one of the projects of Kairos Europa based in Brussels, is launching a project to call for changed relationships between Africa and Europe. Too many of these relationships are subservient, and Africa is regarded only as a recipient of aid or as a potential source of profit.

Kairos Jeunesse is launching the campaign in Accra from the 15th - 21st April. Rajinder Kumar from the Birmingham Council of Faiths will be the Kairos UK participant. The programme will include participation in the Africa Jubilee 2000 conference which will be held during that period. Kairos Jeunesse and its team will establish links with groups in Africa and be able to take up issues of unjust relationships with some of the Europe based organisations working in Africa.

Spirituality of Solidarity and Resistance
Many of the Kairos Europa projects involve action against injustice and for sustainability and peace. The Spirituality project provides the space for reflection. What are the values that will form the foundations of the New Europe? Where do people draw their energy? What provides meaning and purpose? The project is organising a seminar in Rome from 21st to 24th May with the theme 'God of Mammon?' when the connections between spirituality and economics will be explored.

Sr Eileen McGrath from Broadwater Farm Estate and Annie Harrison from Peace Brigades International based in Manchester, will be representing Kairos UK.

Building Plural Communities
Conversations are continuing about this project. Recognising that the New Europe will be the most diverse community in the world we want to challenge the view that plural communities are always a problem and a source of conflict. There are many who live in plural communities and value the richness that they have discovered. Different types of plural communities in Britain, Ireland, Germany and Sweden will work together to develop ways of celebrating difference. They will also reflect on the factors that have enabled them to overcome the barriers of fear and lack of trust and find ways of sharing this experience with others. They will also begin to consider the values that are held in common and can form a basis for building plural communities. More information will be available later in the year.

International Co-ordinating Group
Each year representatives of the different groups and projects linked with Kairos Europa meet to review activities, decide priorities and appoint a Management Committee for the next year. This year the meeting will be held in Cardiff from June 10th pm to 13th am. Thirty representatives from other parts of Europe will attend and be hosted by 30 representatives of Kairos UK. The cost will be 110 and bursaries are available. If you are interested please contact Grassroots as soon as possible.