4th CALL assembly in Rome, September 2014

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4th CALL assembly in Rome, 22-24 September 2014 Bridges between hope and reality overcoming imbalances in Europe was the theme of the 4th Assembly of the CALL-network, which was held in Rome from 22

1 4th CALL assembly in Rome, September 2014 Bridges between hope and reality overcoming imbalances in Europe was the theme of the 4th Assembly of the CALL-network, which was held in Rome from 22 to 24 September. 28 participants from 16 different European countries and even more different churches in Europe reflected on the growing economic imbalances, the impact on employment and labour market in Europe and how they could be addressed to improve matters. Of course the surrounding and conditions to work were wonderful: Rome, the nice, simple but very welcoming accomodation Domus Croata, and the Baptist church, with all facilities needed, and the host, Pastor Herbert Anders and his team, who made work easy and comfortable. In the first sessions the participants received and discussed reports on the results of the working groups (WG) which were established or reinstalled by the 3rd CALL-Assembly two years ago: the WGs on 1) precarious work, 2) youth employment and 3) sustainable economy. The CALL policy paper on good work, which was finalised by the WG on precarious work, was adopted by the Assembly. It recommends the churches to commit to a common understanding of good work time and decent work and to advocate for these in European societies and in the EU. In this newsletter you will find: 4th CALL assembly in Rome, September 2014, p. 1 CALL for good work! p. 3 New steps into the future - adapting the CALL network, p. 4 CALL conference 2015, p. 5 SAVE THE DATE: "EU labour mobility. A gift or a burden?", CALL conference, Brussels, October 2015 "Debt(s) Forgiveness - Liberation. Debt as a weapon of death - theology for life?, International Ecumenical Seminar", Linz, Austria, January More information and registration on or by contacting Tony Addy on tony@provocation.org. CALL Coordination team in preparation of assembly, photo Szabolcs Lörincz Antonio Tricarico, an engineer, campaigner, analyst and editor, working for the NGO Re: Common, which is engaged in building a world of resilient communities, analysed the diverse causes for the economic and social crisis in Italy, which Page 1 The present national and EU policies related to debt and so-called austerity bear most heavily on poor people and marginalised groups and communities. The seminar will provide an opportunity for participants to share and develop their analysis of the impact of national and international economic and political decisions on concrete living and working conditions; exchange information and experience of concrete actions in diverse contexts; discover resources of faith, theology and spirituality as the basis for new and promising strategies and explore new approaches for change and renewal.

are more deep-rooted than in the financial crisis of 2008.

In Italy, for example, already 10% of food production is shared through informal economies and no longer by traditional markets.

2 are more deep-rooted than in the financial crisis of He emphasised the need to rebuild a society through communities, which would be able to establish new forms of economy, social life and involvement. In Italy, for example, already 10% of food production is shared through informal economies and no longer by traditional markets. This philosophy and its impact on society became more apparent to the participants with visits and reports on several projects on employment and sustainable economy, which had been organised by churches in Italy. These reports ranged from projects on social farming integrating migrants in Southern Italy to employment projects in Rome. In all more depressing information about the actual situation of many people in Europe today these examples were encouraging that churches can offer help and make a difference, as also other organisations are doing. The participants of assembly visiting at FAO, photo Szabolcs Lörincz Finally the Assembly voted on a new structure and thematic area of the CALLnetwork for the coming years. It will hold an annual European conference on a thematic issue of labour and life which is of interest and concern for the churches in Europe. It will strengthen the debate among the churches and seek to influence European policy in the thematic area of CALL. The Call-network will also establish a work programme on Intra-European work mobility, its subsequent impact on persons involved and how churches can address this current phenomenon in Europe. The Assembly concluded with a visit to FAO the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations in Rome and a debate on policies against growing imbalances in food production from a global perspective. This visit framed the theme of the Assembly again in a new way, presenting the global perspective of growing imbalances but also the fight against this development. Executive Secretary CSC-CEC Member of the CALL Coordination Team Page 2 Szabolcs Lörincz currently serves as Head of Finances of the Synod Office of the Reformed Church in Hungary. He is an economist, specialized in organisational development, graduated in the Budapest Corvinus University. Following ten years spent in business management (Motorola Australia, Shell Hungary, Danzas Hungary) he joined the staff of the Reformed Church in Hungary and participated in the financial and organisational restructuring of the church and its major institutes. He is an expert of NGO management in the fields of education, youth, healthcare and philantrophy. He is member of the CALL Network and part of the Coordination Team as responsible for finances since its establishment. CONTACT CALL network: 174, Rue Joseph II B-1000 Brussels Belgium socialand-economic-issues/call-network/ Jürgen Born juergen.born@kircheundgesellschaft.de fdf@cec-kek.be

From a Christian holistic perspective the paper describes the criteria for good work as well as for precarious work.

3 CALL for good work! After four years of intensive discussion, the working group on precarious work presented a policy paper on Good Work. The policy paper was adopted by the CALL assembly 2014 as an official statement of the CALL network. From a Christian holistic perspective the paper describes the criteria for good work as well as for precarious work. The analysis of how jobs and working conditions are under pressure in Europe today leads to a call for better protection of people suffering from bad work. At the end of the paper, practical proposals for action are made for different stake holdersm such as governments, trade unions, business associations as well as churches. The CALL policy paper for good work is based on the information and experience of all members of the working group coming from 12 European countries. They met twice a year since 2010 and cooperated in a very good manner. The policy paper was not the only result of the working group. Another project (Church Action) produced information materials, prayers and Bible references which can be used for worships and meetings. In a counselling project, methods and practical possibilities to support workers and especially mobile workers were exchanged on a European level. As a a follow up project, the question of intra- European mobility will become a core issue of the Call network. Klaus-Peter Spohn-Logé Elena Timofticiuc, Member of CALL coordination team. Elena is the Head of the Department Cooperation and Development and project manager of the antitrafficking program at AIDRom. In the fra;ezork of the project coordinated by her she is promoting social inclusion of marginalised people, zorking on empowerment of women for social reintegration, promoting human rights and equal opportunities, fighting against risks and discrimination. She is coordinating the 4 Counselling Centers for Labor Rights developed by AIDRom and is a project manager of the migration programmes. THANK YOU! The CALL Coordination team would like to warmly thank the members of the coordination team, who did not continue their work after the Assembly, Klaus-Peter Spohn-Logé and Herbert Anders. They were a valuable asset to the coordination team and the whole network benefited greatly from their work! Meeting of the working group on precarious work The coordination team also expresses deep gratitude to Jean-Pierre Thévenaz for his long lasting dedication and commitment to developing CALL newsletter! Page 3

New steps into the future - adapting the CALL network The start After a intensive preparatory time in the framework of the Church & Society Commission the CALL network was launched in Brussels with a

Since then CALL hold three other Assemblies: 2011 (Bucharest), 2012 (Brussels) and 2014 (Rome).

4 New steps into the future - adapting the CALL network The start After a intensive preparatory time in the framework of the Church & Society Commission the CALL network was launched in Brussels with a Conference in the European Parliament in April It is linked to the Conference of European Churches and its Church and Society Commission. Since then CALL hold three other Assemblies: 2011 (Bucharest), 2012 (Brussels) and 2014 (Rome). With these Assemblies the CALL network was enabled to organise itself, governing itself by an elected Coordination Team, including a person responsible on financial matters as well as a person responsible on communication, supported by the Brussels CSC office. The main thematic work of the CALL network was done through working groups. Their subjects were decided by the Assembly. Participants of the Assemblies or in these topics interested members of the network became members of the WGs. The Assemblies received reports on the results of the WGs.1 Rev., Executive Secretary, Social and Employment issues, Conference of European Churches, linking the CALL-network directly to CEC. Time for evaluation After 4 years it was time for evaluating the work of the network. And indeed, at every Assembly interesting results and enlightening reports of the WGs were presented: the WG on sustainable economy worked from 2010 to 2012 on indicators of well-being, from 2012 to 2014 on an analysis of churches reaction on the financial and debt crisis in Europe. The WG on precarious work prepared the thematic part of the CALL assembly 2012 in Brussels with discussions on its topic in the European Parliament and with the European Commission. On the last Assembly its policy paper on good work was adopted. The WG on youth employment organised a broad European conference in March Other outcomes of CALL are an overview on Chaplaincy and Religion in the Workplace, established in 2011, as well as the CALL newsletter. But the network is not only about printable results. The life of the network exists in the meetings, the exchange, the learning from one another, sharing of good practice. CALL is thankful for all these aspects and results of the work in the last years and the work of the people engaged was very much welcomed and appreciated in the Assemblies. Nevertheless the Coordination team came to the conclusion that a change in the structure of the work of the network is necessary. It became obvious that two of the WGs were depending on the work of few persons, so that the identity of a European network is at stake. Also in the broader WG the input of participants was very different: some were very engaged and committed, providing the WG with contributions on the theme discussed, others less. Furthermore the Coordination team observed that the participation in the Assemblies as well as in the WGs Dr. Jürgen Born is a trained economist and works as a consultant in economic policy and project management at the Institute for Church and Society of the Evangelical Church of Westphalia, Germany. He is a member of CALL Coordination team. Page 4

The raison d`être There is no doubt that the topic of CALL, the essential significance of work and employment for a person and for a society is a crucial question for churches and their theology.

5 team observed that the participation in the Assemblies as well as in the WGs diminished over the years. Therefore the Coordination team took its responsibility to think about a new way of life for CALL as a European network. The raison d`être There is no doubt that the topic of CALL, the essential significance of work and employment for a person and for a society is a crucial question for churches and their theology. Work and employment are a core subject for reflecting and speaking about the human kind. Looking on the concrete reasons to start CALL the Coordination team described the aim of CALL again, having in mind the experience described: CALL provides a platform for exchange of information and search for common positions of member churches, based on a theological ecumenical ground. CALL is a catalyst for voicing and channelling to the European institutions. CALL maps best practice of church activities in Europe and communicates them to member churches and the public. CALL helps to match partners for European and EU projects among members. CALL conference in 2015 The conference entitled "EU labour mobility. A gift or a burden?" is foreseen to take place in Brussels from October The conference will be open to the members and partners of the CALL network and will give an opportunity to meet and exchange experiences, opinions and good practices on EU labour mobility. With the economic and social crisis still lingering, the debate on labour mobility is rather high on the national and European agendas. With this conference, the members of CALL network will have the opportunity to hear an expert input, learn from case studies and analyse the consequences EU labour migration brings, as well as receive an input from the EU institutions regarding the relevant policies and measures taken. The participants of the conference on the youth unemployment Further information and invitation for the conference will follow in the beginning of A new structure for CALL With this rationale in mind the Coordination team proposed a revision of the structure in which CALL is functioning, which was agreed by the 4th Assembly in Rome. The work of the network will no longer be determined by the work of WGs. CALL wants to attract more persons from the churches who are interested in and Page 5

theological perspective on the topic, 3) organising discussions with experts, 4) facilitating a dialogue with politicians or civil servants from European Institutions, 5) visiting good practice

6 engaged on the topics of CALL although they have not the time to contribute to WGs. Therefore CALL will invite to an Annual conference on a concrete topic of Labour and Life, 1) ensuring a European gathering and exchange of information between the participants, 2) discussing the theological perspective on the topic, 3) organising discussions with experts, 4) facilitating a dialogue with politicians or civil servants from European Institutions, 5) visiting good practice examples on the ground. The second part of the CALL-network will be to implement a work programme on a concrete topic by seeking to use EU-funds, so that this in-depth thematic work is financed in a sustainable manner. The EU funding programmes offer a wide range of possibilities for transnational projects. To apply for these programmes, project partners in two or even more EU member states are needed. Here, the CALL network promises to provide a particular added value. Since many of our organisations are active in the same sector, CALL could help to match eligible partners for common EU projects often one of the most time consuming aspect of an EU application. To give an example: Under the so called Key Action II of the Erasmus+ programme, applications for strategic partnerships in the field of education, training and youth can be submitted each spring. A strategic partnership consists of up to 10 partners in at least three EU member states that disseminate best practices and develop innovative practices to enhance the quality and relevance of the learning offer for vocational or adult training, e.g. in the social sector. The intellectual output of the project has to be generated in the course of 2-3 years and should be presented on various multiplier events. The maximum amount of funding is In the first step of the application process, a project draft is submitted to the EU in order to obtain a first feedback, including the quality of partners. Based on this feedback, the draft has to be turned into a binding application with one lead partner and an appropriate mix of complementary participating organisations. While at the operation level the lead partner is responsible overall, both administratively and financially, a memorandum of understanding guarantees a fair distribution of responsibilities and tasks among all partners of the project. Fortunately, the CALL-network includes persons who are familiar with EU-funding. The proposal in the 4th Assembly is to work on Intra-European work mobility, which is for the moment a working title. As soon as a project draft has been elaborated, it will be shared with the CALL network, together with additional information on the application process. The Coordination team will have to coordinate both parts of the work. Executive Secretary CSC-CEC Member of the CALL Coordination Team Page 6 Welcoming Erin Green In November 2014 Ms Erin Green has started to work in the office of the Conference of European Churches as a communication coordinator. She brings with her some years of professional experience working on communication matters for churches and ecumenical organisations. CALL welcomes her warmly and is looking forward to cooperating with her to modernize and update CALL newsletters and website. Kristine Jansone, Member of CALL coordination team. Kristine is General Secretary at Ecumenical Youth Council in Europe. She is actively involved in empowering young Christians to be socially critical and active to bring changes in society.

Council of the European Union Brussels, 4 November 2015 (OR. en)

Council of the European Union Brussels, 4 November 2015 (OR. en) 13631/15 NOTE From: To: General Secretariat of the Council JEUN 96 EDUC 285 SOC 633 EMPL 416 CULT 73 SAN 356 Permanent Representatives Committee/Council