Genève, 2-9-2003

Background

There have been significant developments and changes within Europe in recent years, throughout the continent. In particular since the meeting of the last Central Committee of the World Council of Churches, a year ago, decisions have been made to enlarge the European Union with ten new members and, linked to that, draft a new European Constitution.

Europe is a diverse and evolving region, with multiple geographic, economic and religious parameters. In the final years of the 20th century, Europe has experienced some of the most profound changes in its history. The revolutions which swept through Central and Eastern Europe after 1989 liberated millions of people from repressive and often violent regimes. The momentous events of the last decade mark an end to the partitioned Europe of Yalta, and they offer the real hope of a new and inclusive community from the North Sea to the Caspian – and beyond. The enlargement of the European Union to the east and south in 2004, and the expansion of NATO, along with the proposals for a new European Constitution by the Convention on the Future of Europe, will be decisive factors in shaping the destiny of the continent.

The Central Committee of the World Council of Churches, meeting in Geneva 26 August – 2 September 2003, recognises the profound and dynamic change taking place across the European continent. The last resolution on Europe was adopted by the Central Committee, 21-28 August 1992; in it, the Central Committee:

• Alerted member churches to the promise and challenge of greater European integration.
• Recognised the progress made by the EC in redressing regional imbalances, combating poverty and advancing the social rights of all its peoples.
• Affirmed the need to speak out and maintain dialogue on poverty, economic inequities, refugees, migrants and asylum seekers, racism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism, environment and relationships with other European states and with the two-thirds world.
• Drew attention to the presence of ecumenical institutions in Brussels and Strasbourg and to the resources and expertise they offer to the churches.
• Noted with appreciation the role played by CEC (Conference of European Churches) and recommended enhanced cooperation between EECCS (European Ecumenical Commission for Church and Society), CEC and the WCC on matters of concern related to European unity and its global implications.

The concerns of the ecumenical movement and the member churches in relation to the European institutions remain as identified in the WCC Central Committee resolution of 1992. Most of these concerns are handled primarily by European actors in the ecumenical movement, such as the Conference of European Churches (CEC) in the areas of European integration, economic issues, democracy, human rights, bioethics and religious liberty, or Eurodiaconia in addressing economic and social issues, or the Churches Commission for Migrants in Europe (CCME) for refugees, migrants and ethnic minorities, or Aprodev in regard to development policies. The role of the WCC is to work with European ecumenical organisations by bringing in the global dimension, provide support when requested, and collaborate on issues of common concern.

Since the resolution 11 years ago, there have been major changes within as well as outside the European Union. Some boundaries have broken down, and new ones have been created.

Within the European Union three new, economically advanced and net contributing members have entered the community, making the total 15 member states. Twelve of the 15 members have come together into the common currency, the Euro. There has been a gradual development of the Common Foreign and Security Policy, including the establishment of a Rapid Reaction Force, in particular as a result of the experience with the war in the former Yugoslavia. After the European Council in Copenhagen in December 2002, accession agreements have been signed with ten countries in Central and Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean, who will become members of the EU in 2004.

Related to the enlargement, the Convention on the Future of Europe presented its draft Constitution in June 2003; in article 51, the role of the churches is affirmed in what is a new way for the EU: "The Union respects and does not prejudice the status under national law of churches and religious associations or communities in the Member States."…. "The Union equally respects the status of philosophical and non-confessional organisations.".... "Recognising their identity and their specific contribution, the Union shall maintain an open, transparent and regular dialogue with these churches and organisations."

The European Union also has developed its cooperation with its neighbours and the rest of the world. In the "Barcelona process", we have seen increased co-operation with the countries south and east of the Mediterranean. There is a treaty establishing the European Community on the one hand and The Georgetown Agreement establishing the Group of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (ACP) on the other. Together they formulated in Benin, June 2000, a partnership agreement called the Cotonou Partnership Agreement, that replaces the former Lomé Convention, affirming among other things their commitment to work together towards the achievements of poverty eradication and sustainable development.

There have been significant social and economic changes in the continent, both within and outside the EU. Many countries in the former Soviet Union have a significantly lower GDP, compared to 15 years ago. The social security systems in western Europe are challenged with an ageing population and changing economic conditions. The Common Agricultural Policy, which still is using the lion’s share of the EU budget, is challenged for being socially, financially, environmentally as well as globally untenable.

Since 1992, several sub-regional structures for cooperation have developed, such as the Council of the Baltic Sea States, the Barents Euro-Arctic Council and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), contributing further to European integration. Important contributions, in particular relating to Human Rights, Minority Rights, democracy, the rule of law and development of civil society have also been made by the more inclusive European institutions, the Council of Europe and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, OSCE.

NATO, the military alliance remaining from the Cold War, has also changed. It has developed its crisis management capacity, contributed its first out-of-area operations in Kosovo and Afghanistan, reached an agreement of cooperation with Russia and invited Central and Eastern European countries to become new members. However, in particular during the last two years, there has been a growing division between the US and European member states on fundamental issues of security – pre-emptive strike, international law, the role of the UN and how to meet the threat from weapons of mass destruction.

The European ecumenical structures relating to the European institutions have changed and developed over the past decade. One important example is the merger of the Brussels-based European Ecumenical Commission for Church and Society (EECCS) with the Conference of European Churches (CEC) and the development of a closer working relation with the Roman Catholic COMECE (Commission of the Bishops' Conferences of the European Community). One specific expression of this ecumenical climate is the Charta Oecumenica, which provides a tool for furthering cooperation between churches on local, national and European level.

The religious and ecumenical context of Europe is complex and varied, and religious pluralism must be recognized by churches and societies alike. The great majority of religious adherents is Christian, from the Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant traditions. Significant indigenous Muslim communities exist, particularly in the Balkans, the Caucasus regions and other parts of Russia, alongside multiple immigrant religious communities. Religious affiliation is to some extent related to geography, and has been a decisive factor in cultural and social development. The level of religious practice varies highly across the region. In Western Europe, historical churches have experienced a decline in membership, while many Diaspora Churches from the South have taken root, parallel with new forms of religious faith. Many churches in Central and Eastern Europe have undergone a powerful spiritual and material revival over the last decade, following the period of communist persecution.

Religious and ecumenical relations are similarly complex. In some places the ecumenical idea has become part of the self-identity of churches, but there are also churches and religious communities in conflict. In many countries, the period has been marked by the return of the churches and religion to the "public sphere" as important political and social actors. The churches are called to contribute to and influence the developments which are shaping Europe. Christianity has influenced European history, and the contribution and responsibility of the churches and religious communities, including Judaism and Islam, must be recognized.

The significance of this period calls WCC member churches to reflect on, and engage in, developments in Europe.

The focus of the WCC

The WCC policy focuses primarily on four areas where Europe interacts with other regions – the values in shaping European unity, the European process of integration, a Europe in balance with its global neighbourhood and the role of Europe for peace and security. The implementation of the WCC’s policy should be in close cooperation with the European ecumenical organisations.

A. Churches and values in shaping European unity
During the course of the last century, Europe experienced revolution and upheaval on an unprecedented scale. Millions perished in wars and in the concentration camps and gulags of communist and nazi regimes. The vision of modern European unity was born out of this context of violence and conflict, hoping for peace and democracy throughout the continent. Modern Europe has been at the heart of much of the extraordinary social, political and creative development of the post-war world. Churches and other religious institutions continue to have a central responsibility in the historical development of the continent.

The recent experience of European history teaches us that the vision and success of European unity and peace cannot be built simply on the market economy. People and societies are transformed by belief and ideas, as well as by transactions and trade. A "heart and soul", a rediscovery and renewal of values and spirituality for Europe, are needed more than ever. But historically the churches have too often been vehicles of nationalist tendencies and crucibles of conflict. The churches can and must unlock their healing and peacemaking power in society, and find the inner resources to witness to a new hope that can be offered to Europe. The WCC member churches must uphold the principle that churches and religious communities are vehicles of culture and identity, an essential foundation for a moral and ethical Europe, and must be recognized as partners in dialogue by the European institutions.

B. European integration: towards a deeper and wider Europe
Because they are the most inclusive European institutions and are mandated to handle issues of utmost importance to the churches, the Council of Europe and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe remain priorities for the WCC and the ecumenical movement when relating to European integration.

Also among the founders of the European Union, there was a common understanding of the need to solve problems and disagreements together, rather than on one’s own. This multilateral experience of solving common problems and meeting common challenges together, rather than on their own - the culture of political compromise - offers a political model for multilateral cooperation.

Europe has experienced profound divisions for most of its history, but recent political developments have shifted the focus to integration and unity. These developments offer the chance for a peaceful, democratic and just Europe stretching from Iceland to the Caucasus. The political search for an inter-dependent Europe, built on social and economic justice, is advocated by churches.

However, many historic divisions and challenges remain. Others are entering into the scene or becoming more significant as a result of the changing societies, like racism, ethnic tensions and trafficking of human beings. Inclusion of new countries into the European Union, means new borders between neighbors. Failure to accept migrants, means new boundaries between people. A number of factors will affect the success and the depth of European integration, including geography, economics, history, culture – and religion.

WCC member churches should support the vision of an inclusive, wider Europe, where unity is based on respect for diversity in history, culture and faith. European unity should be built on a new and deeper encounter of cultures and civilizations, in which the churches will have an essential role. Therefore, the decision by the European Union to include in the next stage of European Union enlargement the nations of Romania and Bulgaria, countries with a majority Orthodox population, is an essential and welcome step. Similar attention must be given to the countries of the Western Balkans, to overcome the recent period of severe conflict and instability.

A wider European integration must give careful consideration to the contribution of Russia and the other CIS countries, as well as Turkey; these nations have been and continue to be major political and cultural forces in the European context.

Churches should also contribute to the deepening of European understanding and integration. The continued impact of the cultural and religious divides of the continent should not be underestimated in the integration process. The schism between the Byzantine East and the Latin West, between the Orthodox and Catholic and, later, the Protestant worlds, marks one fundamental rupture in European history, and a distortion of European identity. The progressive enlargement of the European Union has, until recently, closely paralleled the historical territory of Western Christendom. New ways of bridging this divided space and memory, and of building new perceptions, through means such as open dialogue on different value systems, need to be sought by the churches.

C. Europe in balance with its global neighbourhood
Globalisation means that Europe’s security and future must be sought in harmony with the rest of the world. Therefore, free and fair trade, development assistance, multilateral work for social justice, sustainable development and a healthy environment, human rights, public health and disarmament should be seen as forward-looking policies in Europe’s own interest.

Europe’s relation to the South has been marked by imperialism and colonial relations which continue to influence EU policies on development and trade. However, colonial experiences are limited to certain member states, and within an enlarged EU they will be in a minority. This offers a possibility for a new self-understanding of Europe’s role in the world, to which the churches should contribute.

Although there is no lack of fine policy statements of EU institutions regarding development co-operation, the translation of the lofty goals into actual practice leaves much to be desired. A major issue is the lack of coherence between the objective to eradicate poverty on the one hand, and the goals pursued by trade, agricultural, fisheries and foreign policy on the other hand. Conflicting interests within and between Member States as well as the complexity of EU policy-making exacerbate this incoherence.

The subsequent Lomé Conventions between the ACP and EU, combined a development co-operation agenda with non-reciprocal trade arrangements. Under the influence of trade liberalisation policies pursued in the context of the World Trade Organisation, this combination has been abandoned in the Cotonou Partnership Agreement, which basically aims at establishing free trade arrangements. Although trade preferences are still given to the so-called Least Developed Countries (under the Everything But Arms initiative), the contractual nature of non-reciprocal trade relationships has been lost. As free trade between unequal partners tends to benefit the strongest, the WCC and member churches are called to critically monitor EU-ACP trade negotiations for the coming years.

The lack of vision for and consensus on a future sustainable social model for Europe make it difficult for the EU to develop a coherent policy towards the rest of the world and to provide a clear alternative voice to the US in the international financial institutions. This lack of coherent policy may also be seen in the immediate neighbourhood, where on average, the people living to the north of the Mediterranean Basin are economically twelve times better off than their southern counterparts. If the present policy of the EU continues to be carried out, promoting free trade in areas where Europe is strong but not in areas where the partner countries have comparative advantages, the gap might widen still more. This is a situation which will increase the risk of conflict, fan social tension and increase the number of refugees. The European churches need to address the values and principles of these issues in a clear way.

During the last three decades it has become increasingly clear that environmental resources are not available in unlimited amounts. As market prices do not incorporate sufficiently the limited availability and the environmental scarcity related to consumption of goods, their overuse, in particular of fossil fuels, has become systemic in Europe as well as in the rest of the OECD world. Europe contributes significantly to the emission of greenhouse gases and thus to global warming.

This represents a burden on future generations and a reduced capacity for long-term economic prosperity. It also represents a source of global tension. Extrapolating current European industrial consumption and production patterns to the entire world would require about ten times the number of existing resources. Europe is accumulating an ecological debt in its relationships to other regions.
The perception of increasing migration to Europe and widespread xenophobic sentiments have led governments to increase border surveillance, tighten asylum processes, and adopt policies intended to deter potential asylum-seekers. Yet the factors which compel asylum-seekers and migrants to seek entry into European countries continue - wars, human rights abuses, poverty and lack of hope. The tightening of borders and the lack of legal opportunities for migration have led to an increasing role for traffickers and smugglers. Over the past years, thousands of would-be migrants and asylum-seekers have lost their lives in their attempts to cross European borders or arrive on European shores. Many immigrants find themselves in irregular situations, often in deplorable conditions. In such conditions, new forms of slavery are on the rise in Europe.

While the demographic reality suggests that migration may be beneficial to European countries and while some European countries are encouraging highly-skilled migrants, the overall trend is toward increasingly restrictive migration and asylum policies. As European governments attempt to harmonize their policies toward migrants and asylum-seekers, European churches are increasingly challenged to develop common approaches across national and denominational boundaries. The increasing presence of migrants in Europe also continues to raise broader issues of inter-religious relations, the linkage between racism and xenophobia, and questions about European identity itself. Churches are often called, not only to minister to the needs of migrants, but also to confront their governments concerning policies toward potential migrants and asylum-seekers.

Racism and xenophobia and other related forms of intolerance are not new elements in the European contexts. Churches in Europe have a special role to play in working to end racism and xenophobia in church and society.

Since the adoption of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights in 1948, as a " common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations", much progress has been made in the setting up of new international norms and standards on human rights and humanitarian laws. Europe had much to contribute to this development. In recent times Europe has witnessed an emerging diversity in its societies that spreads across culture, politics, social and economic sectors. This enrichment has contributed to the shaping of attitudes as well as a new understanding of the concept and meaning of human rights and the rights of minorities. With the changing nature of state and society, as a result of globalisation, some of the above laws and standards need to be reviewed in light of the emerging developments. The European Union by virtue of its history and experience has a particular responsibility to contribute to this debate end ensure the respect of Human Rights in all member states.

Europe has much to offer to its global neighbourhood. However, it is imperative that Europe also learn from other societies. Historically, Europe has dominated the rest of the world both militarily, politically, economically, technologically and in terms of the dissemination of knowledge. This has created a euro-centric perception of other regions and difficulties to value knowledge from other societies. A balanced relation with other region can only develop with interdependency also in the field of knowledge, and the churches have an important role to play in Europe in this transformation.

D. Europe and security
For too many years, the focus in European Security Policy has been on military balance, nuclear weapons and power politics. Although we still cannot disregard these factors, the great difference today is that security can be discussed and sought within a much broader spectrum of measures, a shift from the traditional perspective of mere national security towards including human security. There has been a clear attempt by the EU to look upon security from a broader perspective, to strengthen the political will for conflict prevention and to reinforce the capacity for crisis intervention and peace keeping.

There is also a risk that the capacity build-up within the Common Foreign and Security Policy of the EU will leave the continent too strong on the military side yet still too weak in civil instruments. Furthermore, there is no consensus among the EU members about the need for a UN mandate for action involving military force. In light of the illegal war against Iraq and the precedent that might set, the European member churches of the WCC are asked to request their respective governments to clarify their position on this basic principle in international law.

The early vision of a common European defence was never implemented. Today, most EU members are also members of NATO. However, a minority maintain a policy of military non-alignment. The new members from Central and Eastern Europe have chosen membership of NATO as a means to safeguard their sovereignty. This places heavy financial burdens on comparatively weak economies and direct resources from civilian to military needs. The enlargement of NATO, depending on how it is made, may also complicate the integration of Russia into the rest of Europe. The experience of the out-of-area activities by NATO in Kosovo and Afghanistan has shown the limits of the military alliance in meeting today’s complex threats to security and in building peace.

NATO is furthermore the most important tool of US involvement in Europe and of European countries’ influence on the US. However, the division between the US and European countries on critical security issues – pre-emptive strike, international law, role of UN and weapons of mass destruction – makes it difficult for NATO to find its future direction. As the critical issues for NATO are strong concerns for the WCC and member churches, it is necessary to follow these developments closely. In particular, member churches in Europe and the US are asked to find ways to address the disagreements between the two, in advocating for global security based on international law and multilateral cooperation.

The Central Committee of the World Council of Churches, meeting in Geneva August 26 – September 2, 2003,

1. Takes note of the previous WCC Central Committee resolution on Europe in 1992, and of the significant developments which have affected Europe during the last decade.

2. Appreciates the particular roles played by the Conference of European Churches and other European ecumenical organizations, working closely in collaboration with Roman Catholic partner organizations, in monitoring and influencing European developments and integration.

3. Welcomes the increased ecumenical co-operation in Europe, including the process stimulated by the Charta Oecumenica.

4. Reaffirms the unique roles in the European integration process of the Council of Europe and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, being the most inclusive of the European Institutions.

5. (a) Welcomes the accession of 10 new members from Central and Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean to the European Union, as a major accomplishment to overcome the dividing line of the Cold War and encourages an integration process towards real unity and equality in Europe;

(b) Cautions against the risk of new divisions emerging along historical, religious, ethnic and economic fault-lines in Europe, both between Eastern and Western Christian cultures, and between Christianity and Islam, and therefore;

(c) Urges that priority is given to the integration of Bulgaria and Romania into the European Union, and to deepening co-operation, peace-building and integration between member states of the European Union and the countries of the Western Balkans and of the former Soviet Union.

6. (a) Insists that the eradication of racism and poverty, respect for human rights (political, civil, economic, social and cultural) and respect for God’s creation should be the overarching objectives for the European Union’s development policies and that these objectives are fully integrated in the Union’s policies in other areas such as agriculture, fisheries, trade, environment, and common foreign and security policy.

(b) Urges the European Union to increase its efforts to develop international law and standards on human rights, humanitarian law and corporate social responsibility, to meet the challenges of globalisation and to work for the recognition and functioning of the International Criminal Court.

7. (a) Recognizes the fundamental changes taking place in European security arrangements, and welcomes efforts to strengthen multilateral common foreign and security policy in the region, guided by fundamental principles of human rights, ethics and morality, and to work towards comprehensive security arrangements based on common and human security;

(b) Challenges the practice and intention of individual countries and alliances to intervene militarily without the mandate of the UN Security Council, insists on the need for all European states to uphold the international framework of the UN Charter, and underlines the need for any military action to comply with international law.

8. (a) Recognizes the central role of Christianity and the contribution of other religions to European history and civilization, which ought to be reflected in the preamble of the draft European Constitution, and the renewed role of religion in the social, political and cultural life of European states and societies;

(b) Welcomes and affirms the recognition of the specific contribution of the churches and religious communities as partners in dialogue with the European Institutions, as proposed in the draft Constitution of the European Union;

(c) Emphasizes the importance of monitoring church-state relations, rights of religious minorities and religious freedom, and the need to respect the collective and individual rights of religious believers, while recognizing different models of church-state relations and diverse cultural and historical models across Europe.

9. (a) Encourages the churches in Europe to maintain and strengthen relations of fellowship, solidarity and mutual exchange with churches in other regions, and underlines the importance for churches of closely monitoring developments and speaking out in areas where Europe has a particular global responsibility, including trade and development, environment, peace and conflict prevention, migration and asylum, trafficking of human beings and racism, in order to uphold and strengthen the principles of justice and human rights.

(b) Recognizing the dangers of transatlantic divides in global security policies, encourages the member churches in Europe and the USA to work together in dialogue and co-operation, and to seek to influence their governments towards a multilateral approach for global peace and justice.

10. Appreciates the efforts of WCC staff to monitor the major developments in Europe, and commends the policy update on Europe to WCC member churches and asks the WCC general secretary and staff to continue these efforts with the member churches, CEC and other European church- and ecumenical organizations and bring a further progress report to the WCC CC in 2005.

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