Arab-Europe Citizens Dialogue: “Religion in Europe and in the Arab Region”
Cairo, 15th–18th June 2025
The 11th Arab-European Citizens’ Dialogue Consultation will take place in Cairo, bringing together experts, civil society representatives, and religious leaders to discuss the role of education, youth, and practical initiatives in fostering peaceful coexistence. This event continues a long-standing dialogue between the Arab region and Europe, exploring ways to strengthen stability and mutual understanding across cultures and religions.
The Norwegian Church Academies invites to an online seminar about the recent critical situation for the Christians in Palestine
for all Oikosnet Europe members Tuesday April 22 from 09.00 CET – 10.30.
Trond Bakkevig
is a former provost in the Church of Norway. He is an author with a long engagement with dialogue and work for peace in the Middle East.
Munib Younan,
Bishop Emeritus of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land has also been President of the Lutheran World Federation, and a leader of interfaith dialogue and an advocate for dialogue, peace, and
gender justice issues in Palestine and Israel. To join: Send a mail to post@kirkeakademiene.no
“But now that these days are evil, it is enough for the moment to remind you not to devote yourself entirely and not always to your activities, but to save a part of your person, your heart and your time for appreciation.”
Bernard of Clairvaux (c. 1090 – 1153), French Cistercian abbot and theologian
In these times, it is good to heed the words of St Bernard of Clairvaux. It is important to set aside “a part of your person, your heart and your time” for grateful and humble appreciation of what has been given to me, what has been given to us.
When I think back to the Annual General Meeting in Basel at the beginning of October, we made room for both. The conference was characterised by a wide range of activities and challenges, of which the discussion on the study day about artificial intelligence and its impact on our humanity was just one, which we are only at the beginning of. With its Action Plan, the Board has presented a whole package of measures that will keep us busy over the coming months and years. The goal, however, is not more activities and certainly not activism, but that we as a European network make our possible contribution to overcoming crises, hostility, social exclusion and the exploitation of our planet and its livelihoods.
On the other hand, there was also room for appreciation and diverse encounters. As President of Oikosnet Europe and at the same time of Plusbildung Switzerland, I greatly appreciated the interaction in the Mission House in Basel with its global horizon. In addition, the meeting with EAEE, the European Protestant and Anglican Network for Lifelong Learning, which also held its study tour in Basel as a guest of Plusbildung at the same time and with many programme overlaps.
Both activities and grateful appreciation will be discussed further in this newsletter. For the moment, here is just a reference to a letter I wrote to the members a few days ago with the call to delegate people to a working group: Call for delegates
At the beginning of this new church year and at the end of 2023, it is important for me to thank all those who are committed to the common cause – in the broadest sense: peace and reconciliation – in Oikosnet Europe and in their respective places. The words of St Bernard of Clairvaux are also meant for you. I hope that you, who have to devote yourselves to so many activities, will find the space and strength to set aside a part of yourselves, your hearts and your time for appreciation.
It was a great joy to see so many members at the General Assembly of 2022 in Malaga October 5 – 9. After several years affected by the Corona virus we could finally meet one another face to face again.
Our host Gloria Uribe Cifuentes from the Lux Mundi Ecumenical Centre did a wonderful in making us all feel so much at home at the beautiful Casa Diocesana de Espiritualidad in Malaga.
The theme of the conference was The Green Deal from a European Perspective and local perspective. Antonis Kalogerakis from the Orthodox Academy in Crete gave a presentation on the European perspective followed up by a lecture by Dr Felix Lopez Figueroa sharing his inspiring work at the University of Malaga.
To those who would like to follow up the speach given by Antonis Kalogerakis he recommends a report from a recent conference given by CEC. Every part of the creation matters
Due to the situation in Ukraine there was also a session about Peace and Reconciliation, where Colin Craig from Corrymeela and Ruth Harvey from Iona shared some thoughts from their many years of work in this field. It was also very valuable to have the possibility to listen to some voices over zoom giving witness on the situation they live with every day.
We had the pleasure to welcome a new member, the community of Iona. We are really happy to have you with us and look forward to see what this will bring for the future.
Where next years conference will take place has not yet been decided but we look forward to see you all where ever it might be.
Cairo 14 – 17 June 2023 As a member of Oikosnet Europe you are most welcome to participate in the upcoming Arab-Europe Citizens’ Dialogue in Cairo, Egypt 14 – 17 June 2023. The Arab-European Citizens’ Dialogue was established in 2010 at the Orthodox Academy of Crete (OAC) as an expansion of a previous Egyptian-German dialogue. The main counterparts are the Coptic Evangelical Organization for Social Services (CEOSS) in Cairo, Egypt, and Oikosnet Europe. From 2010, there has been a series of consultations in Europe and in the Arab region and the focus this year will be the relation between religion and civil society. A more detailed program will be distributed closer to the conference.
Conference Organizers The Arab-Europe Citizens’ Dialogue Conference on Religion and Society is organized jointly by the Coptic Evangelical Organization for Social Services (CEOSS), Oikosnet Europe and the Sigtuna Foundation. On both the Arab side and the European side, there are some possibilities for financial support. This is handled separately by the two regions. Feel free to contact any of the following persons if you have general questions about the conference and/or about the conference organizers:
Corrymeela, Ballycastle Monday 20th – Friday 24th March 2023
Our member organisation Corrymeela will be hosting a Dialogue for Peaceful Change Training in March 2023 at Ballycastle Centre on the north coast of Ireland. Colin Craig, previously the Executive Director of Corrymeela will facilitate the training and as a member of Oikosnet Europe you are most welcome to join.
Cost and Accomodation ( Ensuite bedrooms) Single bedroom £ 680.00 pp Shared bedroom £ 600.00 pp
Financial support from Oikosnet Europe Oikosnet Europe will provide financial support for two participants to join the training. ( You are expected to cover your cost of travel.) Participants with financial support should give a written report about their impressions, and if possible present it at the next General Assembly of Oikosnet Europe. If you are interested to apply for financial support from Oikosnet Europe please contact our treasurer Alf Linderman. alf.linderman@sigtunastiftelsen
You can read more about Dialogue for Peaceful Change at the website www.corrymeela.org
Lux Mundi Ecumenical Centre will be hosting the General Assembly in Malaga, Spain October 5 – 9 2022.
Dear Members and Friends of Oikosnet Europe! The Lux Mundi Ecumenical Centre is inviting Oikosnet Europe to hold the Oikosnet General Assembly 2022 in Malaga, Spain. Therefore, on behalf of the Board of Oikosnet Europe and on behalf of the The Lux Mundi Ecumenical Centre we ask you kindly to save the date in your calendar. The General Assembly (GA) is planned to begin with an Opening Worship at 17h30 on October 5, followed by dinner and a welcoming evening. The GA will end with breakfast and departures on Sunday October 9.
Lux Mundi is a non-profit Christian foundation based in Fuengirola and Torre del Mar, where Christians from different denominations meet to promote prayer and reflection – work and help to serve others to overcome the barriers that over the centuries have divided us, and to be visible witnesses to the unity of our faith.
The registration will open June 6 and the Agenda of the business session, and the detailed program for the Study day and excursion, will be distributed closer to the October conference. If you have any issues, projects etc. which you want to discuss at the GA, or if you have any special contribution to make, please let us know.
We look forward to see you all in Malaga in October!
The General Assembly of Oikosnet Europe in
Sigtuna Sweden was no doubt affected by the travelling restrictions caused by
Covid-19. But nevertheless we had a representation from 11 members on site and
four members taking part in the business session digitally. Some additional
members were represented by proxy.
It was such a joy to finally see one
another again. Work together, learn together, share ideas and simply spend time
together in person.
Digitalization as a humanistic and existential issue
The theme of the study day this year
was Digitalization as a humanistic and existential issue. Speakers on
this topic was Lisbeth Gustafsson, journalist and Dr. Honoris Causa
in Theology, Amanda Lagerqvist, Professor Media and
Communication and Mia Lövheim, Professor Sociology of Religion. Their
academic perspectives gave a valuable insight to this field of research and
their reflections also fueled a discussion on how digital life affect us, both
as individuals and the work that we are engaged in at our academies.
Excursion day in the first town in Sweden
The excursion day is something one always
look forward to at the General Assembly. As the venue this year was Sigtuna,
Swedens first town, we had the opportunity to explore the Christian roots of
Sweden on site. As Karin Sallander at the office of Oikosnet Europe
in Sigtuna also has a background as archeologist we were given a guided tour of
old town Sigtuna including runic stones, a visit to the local museum and the
old Monastery church of St Marys.
Keep building relations and hang in there…
On the last day of the conference, the General Assembly had Jonas Jonsson, bishop emeritus in the Church of Sweden and former assistant General Secretary at the World Council of Churches, as our special guest. Jonas Jonsson shared some memories from his lifelong experience of ecumenical work. Some words that probably stayed with many of us was “keep building relations and hang in there”. With that said we hope that we will be able to gather again at the General assembly of 2022!
Dear members of Oikosnet Europe, dear friends! After two years we dared to invite again to a General Assembly almost like in old times in Sigtuna, Sweden. The physical reunionwas good and important. Only the Business Session was held in hybrid form for the first time. The Vice-President Kristin Gunleiksrud and the Treasurer Karolína Silná were given a warm farewell from the Board and their commitment was thanked.
In their place, Katerina Karkala from Crete, already a member of the Board, was elected as Vice-President and Kjell Riise from Norway as a new Board member. Welcome aboard! Unfortunately, one seat on the Board remained vacant and thus no Treasurer could be elected. The Assembly gave the Executive Board the mandate to invite a delegate running for the Executive Board as a guest to the Board Meetings already before the next General Assembly. The responsibility of a Treasurer will be taken over by me as President on an interim basis for one year.
Okay, people, let’s move it along! A significant part of the meeting was dedicated to discussing the three strategic priorities set by the Board: Education, Green Deal and Digitalisation. A strong will was expressed, perhaps unlike in previous years, to follow words with action. Three “theme guardians” were appointed for the three priorities: Rüdiger Noll, Executive Secretary of the Board, for Education, Jörg Hübner, Director Academy Bad Boll, for Green Deal, and Alf Linderman, Director Sigtunastiftelsen, for Digitalisation. A working group has been formed for each of the Green Deal and Education, which will meet online for the first time in the coming weeks. The aim is to develop action plans, involve further experts and design a process to which all members of Oikosnet Europe will be invited again for further participation. I also gratefully mention that for “Education” we already had as a guest at the GA in Sigtuna Bianca Kappelhoff, Educational Researcher of the Comenius Institute Münster: “Protestant responsibility in education in Europe”. Alf Linderman, in turn, will invite Oikosnet members to participate in a special topic on ethical aspects of digitalisation.In the coming period, a compilation of study leaders of our members and their activities will also be compiled that deal with one of the three focal points. In this way it should be possible to network thematically across countries and academies.
Now is the time! Okay, people, let’s move it along! This slogan is not meant superficially and in the sense of mere activism. It is about commitment and also about the realisation that it is high time for some thorough debates and for concrete action in Europe. And as a pastor, I say: “Now is the kairos. Now is the time!” – Just the week after our General Assembly, the Presidial Assembly of the German Protestant Kirchentag decided on the slogan for the 2023 Kirchentag in Nuremberg: “Now is the time”! Exactly! Now is the time to act, but now is also the time to live and celebrate, and now is also the time to change. Be there!
With best wishes, Rev. Walter Lüssi, President of Oikosnet Europe
The motto „schaut hin“ (take a look) (Mark 6:38) is at the centre of the 3rd Ecumenical Kirchentag. In terms of content, it is the common thread running through the programme of the major digital event in Frankfurt am Main.
The 3rd Ecumenical Kirchentag will be
digital and decentralised. The programme will thus be focussed, but as usual a
colourful mix of topics, culture and spiritual content. The Ecumenical
Kirchentag offers some events with English subtitles or in English for the international
friends. See: https://www.oekt.de/en/
