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January 14, 2004
Dear Brothers, Greetings from Rome!
Some recent developments here in Rome have made it possible to strengthen and expand the link and working relationship between religious congregations with members ministering in Africa and in Europe. A group of justice and peace promoters has become an official working group of Africa Europe Faith and Justice Network (AEFJN) since mid 2003.
This as a very positive development which will be able to serve the interests of Africa in a more concrete way. This letter therefore wishes to explain to you what AEFJN is all about and how we might develop a plan for increased cooperation in the future.
What and who is the Africa Europe Faith and Justice Network (AEFJN)? AEFJN is a faith-based international network supported by 42 religious and missionary congregations with members working in Africa and in Europe. Since the founding of the group in 1988 it has promoted equitable economic relations between Africa and Europe. It does this by trying to influence the government policies of the different European countries and also the European Community at its headquarters in Brussels on political and economic relations between Africa and Europe.
It pays special attention to lobbying, educating and providing information on relevant issues. Questions which the AEFJN has worked on in the recent past or is currently following include water rights, seeds and medicines, trade in small and light arms, debt cancellation and the European Agricultural Policy – all in relationship to Africa.
In most of the European countries the AEFJN has active antennae functioning (action groups representing its member congregations). In recent years it has tried to establish antennae/action groups in African countries.
An invitation to journey forward together: This letter is an invitation being extended to all our brothers in Africa. We welcome any of you who would care to join us in this bridging of Africa and Europe. Our concern is how to move forward together. We therefore invite you now to engage in a conversation by responding to the following questions/comments:
Ø We believe that AEFJN can only serve Africa when there is a significant contribution by religious on the ground on the continent - at the local level - interested in and working on justice and peace issues. Ø There needs to be established a clearer, more radical and stable link between AEFJN and Africa. How do you see us doing this? How could you be further involved? Ø Which other religious do you know who may be willing and is able to join a local group (an antenna) to deliberate and plan follow-up actions on issues of mutual concern? Ø Would you be willing to coordinate, if asked, such an antenna in your country? Ø What are the ways by which the AEFJN in Europe could work with the groups in Africa? Ø Should it be necessary, how would a national or regional meeting on networking for justice and peace move forward a particular issue? Ø What other proposals have you to share with us?
We are anxious to hear from you, and hope you could respond to this letter by the end of February 2004.
Thank you for your attention. May the God among us fill this year with grace and peace for us and fructify our every effort for justice, peace and integrity of creation.
Yours truly,
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Nick Morris, AEFJN Congregation Representative
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