National Justice and Peace Conference, 11-13 July 2003

Due to the generosity of our friends and supporters, this year JRS was able to take three refugees to the annual J&P Conference at Swanwick, Derbyshire.  Louise, Albert, Evans and Konan joined the 370 other people present to hear inputs on globalisation, to reflect on our faith response to globalisation and to commit to action for justice and peace. 

The following are the impressions the three refugees left with: 

Konan:  “This is to thank all the JRS for inviting me for the 25^th Conference of the Justice and Peace Network.  I have been so touched and pleased to be informed about this second invitation (I was at last year’s).  It has been a very nice weekend spending in a splendid atmosphere meeting people from other cultural, religious and educational backgrounds.  Really a great time to make friends; share experience; exchange knowledge and hear from others about their daily life.  The subject this year was wonderful and very deep, yet it is an ongoing activity.  Globalisation’s influences are huge and it impacts very widely.  I met so many people and had a lot of chats and lots of memories….  I hope the JRS would live longer to help provide joy to people like me around the world.  Thanks so much.” 

Evans:  “The weekend was different and very refreshing.  The conference was an eye-opener to the different perspectives people have on globalisation, which reminds me of the bit about “action without reflection…” quite summing up that consciousness is not the issue but acting on the issues affecting us.  From the introduction Julian [Filochowski] gave about globalisation to the pinnacle or climax really which was Mark Moody-Stewart: on the awareness they [trans-national corporations] have on the environment as a whole.  Hence Thomas Cullinan found a phrase to sum it all up:  “Behind us we are you”.  Thanks for the lovely weekend.  God bless you.” 

Albert:  “It was very fantastic days for me in Derbyshire, my first conference in England, which taught me many things.  I loved it.  I was happy to know and see many people from different places and I had the chance to have relationships with them.  Thank you so much JRS for giving me this opportunity and introducing me to them.  I hope you continue with that every year.  Thank you.”