ANNUAL REPORT 2015 ENGLISH

CHARTING THE ECUMENICAL COURSE Table of Contents

05 Who we are WHO WE ARE 05 How we work 05 Vision CEC was founded in 1959 as a bridge-building organisation between churches in Eastern and Western Europe. Today the Conference has grown to 114 Member Churches from all corners of Europe, and also includes many National Councils of Churches and Organisations in Partnership. 06 Message from the President 07 Message from the General Secretary HOW WE WORK 08 One more step along the world we go: Pilgrimage for Climate Justice

09 The risky quest for human rights: Refugee crisis escalates We establish fora for programmatic development, research, and dialogue. This is achieved through a number of participatory working mechanisms that bring together the expertise found in our Member Churches, Organisations in Partnership, and National Councils of Churches. These include Thematic Reference Groups 10 Ecumenical Relations: Solidarity, advocacy, friendship (TRGs), consultations, collaboration with partners, and more. 10 Employment and Social Affairs: The European Sunday Alliance and the European Parliament 11 Economic and Ecological Justice: Towards a new European Neighbourhood Policy 11 Human Rights: Standing together, fighting discrimination VISION 12 Education for Democratic Citizenship: Promoting participation and peace

12 Bioethics: Individual choice, societal impact In its commitment to Europe as a whole, the vision of the Conference is to promote a community of Churches 13 EU Policy and Legislation: Concerns for the whole continent sharing their spiritual life, seeking reconciliation, strengthening their common witness and service and fostering the unity of the Church. In providing an authentic, credible and socially responsible Christian witness, it will 13 Migration and Asylum work towards building a humane, social and sustainable Europe at peace with itself and its neighbours in which 14 In Brief human rights and solidarity prevail. 16 Year in Review

18 Governing Board 19 Thematic Reference Group Members 22 Member Churches

24 National Councils of Churches 24 Organisations in Partnership 24 Resources 24 Staff

25 Acronyms and Abbreviations

5 MESSAGE MESSAGE Rt Rev. FROM THE Christopher FROM THE Fr Hill KCVO, DD Heikki PRESIDENT GENERAL Huttunen SECRETARY

Not since the days of the Cold War has the vision of Europe been under such threat than last It is not a simple task to realise what it means to “be church” in Europe now. Our churches year. Nor will the pressure on European identity lessen in the coming months. While in the need each other in this task, despite and because of their differences in doctrinal and spiritual 1990s there were questions for the European Union (EU) on ‘deepening’ and ’widening’, now approach, cultural background and political situation. The Conference of European Churches the whole enterprise is in serious jeopardy as Member States revert to new nationalisms has the unique possibility to serve them in rediscovering the authentic meaning of Christian and protection against the admittedly overwhelming pressure—especially on the southern mission and service – the unity of the sacrament of the altar and the sacrament of the borders of Europe—from the piteous tide of refugees from Syria and elsewhere. neighbour.

At the December meeting of the governing board of the Conference of European Churches European churches are reminded of the core of their identity and their ecumenical calling. (CEC), in Armenia by hospitality of the Armenian Apostolic Church, we began to think again In the spirit of the Divine commandments and promises of the , they are called to about the churches’ contribution to what Jacques Delors famously called the ‘heart and soul’ dismantle walls of division, to teach respect and love of the neighbour and to spread a culture of Europe. This is no quick-fix task but it may be that this will need to be the grand theme for of solidarity, welcome and selflessness. our next Assembly in 2018. By God’s providence, CEC faces this challenge having gone through a thorough process In the meantime CEC is settling down well in Brussels and Strasbourg, on the good foundations of reform. It has resulted in a streamlined and focused structure. Now it is the time to of the Church and Society Commission. Particularly gratifying was Member Churches’ concentrate our confined resources to this timely task—to discern the signs of the times in enthusiastic response for names for our Thematic Reference Groups. And these are now an awakened dialogue with partners, to enhance the existing high-standard work, and to working well. CEC is also working well and most urgently with the Churches’ Commission for deepen communication and cooperation with the churches. Preparations for the 15th General Migrants in Europe (CCME). Assembly in 2018 provide a useful frame of reference for this refocusing of our goals and our work. At the end of last year we bade farewell to Rev. Dr Guy Liagre who saw us through the move from Geneva and the merger with the CSC and we now most warmly welcome Fr Heikki Huttunen, our first Orthodox General Secretary.

I commend this report to the Churches.

6 7 One more step along the world we go: The risky quest for human rights: Pilgrimage for Climate Justice Refugee crisis escalates

In 2013 at its assembly in Busan the World Council of creative ways. Churches shared, discussed, Refugee and migrant arrivals in southern Europe of Churches issued a call to join in a Pilgrimage and supported each other’s engagement. Climate swelled to new proportions in 2015, bringing of Justice and Peace. The Pilgrimage celebrates pilgrims cycled through Hungary and filled a challenges for churches in Europe and many fellowship in community, and works for healing baton with soil from the communities they visited. European societies. The arrival of more than 1 million and reconciliation in a world filled with conflict, Another baton was used as a symbol in raising migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers at Europe’s violence, and pain. This call resonated throughout pubic engagement through organising a variety of external borders prompted CEC and CCME to work the churches in Europe, especially as they prepared events in Scotland. A number of pilgrims hiked from together for a coordinated and humane response. for the United Nations Climate Change Conference northern Scandinavia all the way to Paris for COP21. (COP21) in Paris in December 2015. Numerous and worthwhile activities took place Solidarity with members and partners was at across the whole continent. the forefront of our work. CCME organised and From the outset, CEC enthusiastically supported initiated several visits of churches to Greece, Italy the European Pilgrimage for Climate Justice. We A significant feature of the Paris conference was the and countries along the Balkan route. Face-to- raised awareness of issues relating to the COP21 strong participation of civil society, churches, and face contact with refugees underscored their dire rights work in 2015. We hosted a conference at the proceedings, identified and connected contributors faith-based organisations. Political negotiations situation. “I want to find a country with human theological school of Halki (Turkey) on advancing to this pilgrimage, and supported the activities of in Paris were accompanied by parallel events, rights,” an Eritrean fleeing her homeland remarked freedom of religion or belief in September, and minority churches, especially in central and eastern including prayer, dialogue, and other actions. in Rome. CEC, together with CCME and the World learned more about the migrant experience in Europe. A highlight of our efforts was an ecumenical Representatives from churches and other faith Council of Churches (WCC), encouraged Member during our second Summer School on consultation in Schwerte () in October. communities underscored the urgency of the Churches to address national governments with Human Rights in May. In June, CCME co-presented Here pilgrims, representatives of churches, and problem, and its interconnectedness with other their concerns and to urge them to put human an academic study, “Defining and Identifying Middle church leaders from across Europe gathered to justice issues including the migration and refugee beings above all else in EU asylum and migration Eastern Christian Communities in Europe.” The encourage each other and mobilise a Christian voice crisis. At the conclusion of COP21, CEC welcomed policies. study shed further light on the troubling situation in response to catastrophic climate change. the Paris Agreement and encouraged churches of Christians in the Middle East and their diverse Through local, regional, and national events, CEC to receive it as an invitation to further action for At the European level, CCME advocated for safe experiences as migrants in Europe. Member Churches joined the pilgrimage in dozens climate justice. and legal access to the EU, through such means as humanitarian visas, resettlement, and family As the scale of the crisis grew, so did hostility toward reunification. Together with Eurodiaconia, ACT those arriving in the EU. Borders were closed and Alliance EU, and EU-CORD, CEC and CCME appealed debates escalated within the EU about quotas and to the ministers of the EU Justice and Home Affairs limitations to processing asylum requests. In the Council and the heads of government meeting in face of these tensions, CCME underlined that asylum the European Council for a unified, ambitious, and is a human right, enshrined in the UN Refugee rights-based refugee and migration policy. Convention, the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, and the Among those most in need of international EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. Looking toward protection are minorities persecuted for their 2016, CEC and CCME will continue collaboration on religious beliefs in Syria, Iraq, and elsewhere. These this front as the refugee crisis- and its responses- countless thousands were a focus of CEC human continue to develop.

8 9 Ecumenical relations: Economic and Ecological Justice: Solidarity, advocacy, friendship Towards a new European Neighbourhood Policy

In partnership with COMECE and CCME, For churches being a good neighbourhood is of cooperation, CEC organised a dialogue seminar with the more than a matter of policy. Our vision of a good trusting part- European Commission. It focused on the long- neighbour goes back our biblical understandings and nerships, and term integration of migrants and refugees into the parable of the Good Samaritan. This story gives mutual depen- European labour markets and society as whole. us a model of behaviour that respects the other and dence among Rt Rev. Christopher Hill, president of CEC, and their needs, while sharing resources and support. countries belon- Cardinal Reinhard Marx, president of COMECE, This is still relevant today and is the image of a good ging to the issued a joint statement of concern for the neighbour set out in a joint CEC-CCME contribution Union and just humanitarian crisis arising from conflict in Syria. to a public consultation on the EU Neighbourhood beyond its Regular meetings with the presidency of the Policy (ENP). The consultation was organised by the external borders. From the point of view of the Council of the EU also took place in Latvia and European Commission in early 2015 with the hope churches, the ENP advances a vision for the whole Our work in 2015 was amplified through strong Luxembourg. of updating and revising the current ENP. The joint continent, and this vision can enable fairness collaboration with our ecumenical partners. contribution was developed through consultation and good relationships between the EU and its We also collaborated with the WCC and other with CEC Member Churches. We supported a vision neighbours. Together with CCEE, we issued a joint message Regional Ecumenical Organisations. European on International Roma Day (8 April), calling for churches answered the call of the WCC through a reconciliation and solidarity with Roma people. The Pilgrimage for Climate Justice leading to COP21 in CEC-CCEE Joint Committee met in Rome in May and Paris. CEC was also represented on a WCC solidarity Human Rights: enjoyed theological exchange on human freedom visit to Ukraine and at the general assembly of the Standing together, fighting discrimination and an audience with His Holiness Pope Francis. Christian Conference of Asia. Human rights work at CEC in 2015 focussed on hosts and Uniting Church in freedom of religion or belief, and accompanying Sweden, CEC brought together 40 participants efforts to fight discrimination. In May, the second to discuss theological and political approaches Employment and Social Affairs: annual Summer School on Human Rights took to discrimination based on religion, ethnicity, The European Sunday Alliance and the European Parliament place in Hagaberg (Sweden). In collaboration with race, gender, and other grounds. They also gained knowledge of anti-discrimination legislation at the CEC is a founding member of the European organised three Interest Group meetings at the European and international level, and learned more Sunday Alliance (ESA), which came into existence European Parliament, with 20 to 30 participants about the local situation in Södertälje (Sweden) in 2011 and includes trade unions, employer gathered at each from the Parliament and the in combatting Islamophobia and antisemitism. organisations, national Sunday Alliances, churches ESA. The meetings included a debate with Prof. Dr In September, human rights experts gathered at and church-related organisations, and civil society Harmut Rosa, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena the theological school in Halki (Turkey) to discuss organisations. In cooperation with the ESA, (Germany) on the so-called acceleration society, the role of religion in the public sphere, freedom CEC advocates for a common weekly day of rest as well as an exchange on the EP report on the of religion or belief inside and outside the EU, as and decent work in dialogue with the European “EU Strategic Framework on Health and Safety well as the crisis in Iraq and Syria that has led to Parliament (EP). After the 2014 European Parliament at Work 2014-2020.” The final meeting for 2015 the persecution of Christians and other minorities. elections, the ESA started an EP Interest Group on focussed on the significance of healthy work places The situation in Turkey informed discussions, and Work-Life Balance, hosted by Evelyn Regner MEP in Europe and the need to prevent psychosocial contributed to the final statement on themes (S&D) and Thomas Mann MEP (EPP). In 2015, the ESA risks. addressed at Halki.

10 11 Education for Democratic Citizenship: EU Policy and Legislation: Concerns for the whole continent Promoting participation and peace The Working Group on EU Policy and Legislation, of play on EU anti-discrimination legislation, the As an observer, CEC participated in meetings of the facilitated and led by OKRin Katrin Hatzinger, head jurisprudence of the ECJ on the accession of the EU to CDPPE of the Council of Europe (Intergovernmental of the Evangelical Church in German (EKD) office in the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) Steering Committee for Educational Policy and Brussels, met in March 2015 and again under its new and on the safe harbour decision of the European Practice). Our commitment to Education for mandate as a TRG in November 2015 in Brussels. Commission, and the development of the dialogue Democratic Citizenship was also expressed through according to Article 17 (3) of the Treaty on the our membership in the Conference of International The Working Group monitored European legislation Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) under Non-Governmental Organisations (INGOs) of with relevance for churches and concerning church- the new Commission. the Council of Europe (CoE) and participation state relations. Besides discussing developments in several working groups on EDC. CEC was Protestant Churches in Europe (CPCE) at the in Member Churches and learning about national In November the group met for the first time under also similarly represented within the CINGO, Academy of Tutzing (Germany). The new Thematic state-church relationships, the group focused on its new mandate and welcomed newcomers from a group of Christian INGOs active within and Reference Group (TRG) started work monitoring the following issues: EU data protection regulation, Greece, the UK, Ireland and Latvia. The meeting vis-à-vis the CoE. In October, CEC was included and participating in CoE and EU activities in judgements of the European Court of Justice served as a great opportunity to get to know each in a meeting of education managers and experts the education field, interacting with partners (ECJ) on free-movement of EU citizens, the state other and to identify areas of common interest. on “Focal Points for Protestant Education in among Member Churches, awareness raising Europe,” which was held by Community of activities and interfaith dialogue. Migration and Asylum

Bioethics: Individual choice, societal impact For CCME, 2015 was an important year for promoting in Rome highlighted such demands in view of the alternatives to the current migration regime in results of the Italian Presidency of the Council of the In 2015, CEC work in on new developments in assisted procreation, Europe, including resettlement, humanitarian visa, European Union. bioethics examined including gamete and embryo donation, surrogacy, relaxing of visa regimes, and family reunification. important and cur- and intervention in the genome. The group also The “safe passage” project, in particular, argued for CCME members engaged in continued monitoring rent issues including decided to launch, if possible, another report on safe and legal pathways for refugees and migrants of the external border of the EU in Greece, Italy, genetic testing and developments in predictive medicine. This work into and through Europe. Such legal avenues would and Spain. In view of the arrival of larger groups of insurance, research will be carried out in the context of the increasing save lives in the Mediterranean and also reduce refugees via the Mediterranean, in particular the on biological material scarcity of resources, which is leading to tragic irregular movement of refugees and migrants. Aegean, CCME facilitated expressions of solidarity of human origin, human rights and the dignity choices having to be made about life and death. among churches across Europe. These included of people with mental disorders, gene editing, Both of these broader developments only directly CCME also continued to advocate for a fairer public declarations of support, financial assistance and more. There was active participation in the involve a small group of people, but they influence distribution of responsibility for the reception of as well as team visits to churches in countries meetings of the DH-BIO of the Council of Europe whole societies with their impact on family asylum seekers between EU Member States. A experiencing an exceptionally high number of (Intergovernmental Steering Committee on building, biological and social parenthood, and high-level conference from 22 to 24 February 2015 refugee arrivals. Bioethics). The new TRG has started work on a report future generations.

12 13 In Brief

• The Annual meeting of secretaries responsible for European affairs took place in Strasbourg (France) in November. The theme was “Conflicts and Reconciliation: The Role of the Council of Europe” and included dialogue and visits, particularly with the Human Rights Commissioner. Participants enjoyed discovering the importance of CoE for bringing together 47 European member States on a range of issues, including human rights and democracy.

• CEC took an active part in drafting the Council • CEC wrote to Greek Member Churches in July of Europe “Guidelines of the Committee of expressing solidarity and support as Greece faced Ministers to member States on the protection a serious economic crisis and worsening social and promotion of Human rights in culturally situation. The letter also expressed concern for diverse societies” and also the “Recommendation the European project and urged political leaders of the Committee of Ministers to member States to find common ground for the future of Greece on human rights and business.” both inside the Eurozone and the Union. • In April, the Committee of Ministers of the CoE • CEC commemorated the centenary of the start • EU guidelines on freedom of religion or belief • In May, the general secretaries of European acknowledged a report in which the European of the Armenian genocide in April and attended are due for evaluation in 2016. CEC has begun National Councils of Churches met in Berlin Committee on Social Rights (ECSR) found events throughout Europe and abroad. We consulting its Member Churches to collect input (Germany). Their annual gathering brought a violation of the European Social Charter also held our November Governing Board for our evaluation of these guidelines. together 25 participants from 15 European by the Netherlands regarding the right of meeting in Armenia where the group continued countries. Together they learned more about undocumented migrants to ‘bread, bed and bath’. commemorations at the genocide memorial • We partnered with Globethics.net on the the Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace, visited the CEC was later invited to take part in training on complex in Yerevan. successful publication and launch of four books German Bundestag, and discussed the church- collective complaints. this year, including The European Vision and the state relationships. • In November religious and political Churches: The Legacy of Marc Lenders by Win • From 26 to 28 October the Church Action representatives gathered at the European Burton and Europe’s Heart and Soul: Jacques • As part of its Governing Board meeting in June on Labour and Life (CALL) network held Parliament to discuss religious freedom in the Delors’ Appeal to the Churches by Laurens in Strasbourg (France), CEC had exchanges with a conference on EU labour mobility in Brussels Republic of Cyprus. Religious contributions at Hogebrink. several senior staff of the CoE in areas where our in cooperation with CCME and Eurodiaconia. It the seminar stressed the unity of the Cypriot cooperation is particularly strong, including civil was organised in partnership with the European people, and emphasised the political, rather society and the INGO Conference, the religious Economic and Social Committee (EESC), than religious, nature of the conflict. dimension of intercultural dialogue, bioethics, a consultative body of the European Union, human rights, the European Social Charter, EDC representing social partners and civil society and human rights education. organisations.

14 15 Each year CEC participates in and organizes many meetings, YEAR consultations, and visits. We also organise workshops, dialogues, and conferences. Here are just a few more of our IN REVIEW activities from 2015.

JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER

Meeting of CEC and CEC-UEPAL meeting in Launch of the EP Interest CEC publishes Forging our EPRID meeting in Brussels. Ecumenical celebration of COMECE with the Latvian Strasbourg. Group on work-life balance of Future, a roadmap of its Time for Creation in Brussels. Press Release: Christians EU Presidency in Riga the European Sunday Alliance activities leading to the European Christian unite in prayers for the Ecumenical conference on (Latvia). in Brussels. 2018 Assembly. Environmental Network healing of creation climate change at the European Meeting with CCME, (ECEN) leadership team CEC Governing Board meeting Press Release: Greece Parliament in Brussels. COMECE, and Eurodiaconia meeting in Brussels in Brussels. Crisis - CEC expresses Meeting of the Thematic on Roma solidarity. (Belgium) solidarity with Greek CALL Network conference on Reference Group on churches youth unemployment takes Peacebuilding and place in Brussels. Reconciliation.

APRIL MAY JUNE OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER

ECEN meetings on eco- Meeting of the European Meeting of the CEC Governing Pilgrimage for Climate Annual meeting of Integration of Migrants into management and nuclear Sunday Alliance. Board in Strasbourg (France). Justice conference in secretaries responsible Society and Labour Market: safety in Heidelberg Schwerte (Germany). for European affairs in Dialogue seminar with High-level religious leaders (Germany). Strasbourg. COMECE and CCME at the meeting takes place at the EU Labour Mobility – A European Commission. Meeting of the Ad- European Commission. gift or a burden?: CALL Meeting of the CEC hoc Working Group on Network conference in Governing Board at Book launch for Europe’s Heart Book launch for The European European Economic Brussels. Mother See of Holy and Soul: Jacques Delors’ Vision and the Churches: The Governance Etchmiadzin in Armenia. Appeal to the Churches. Legacy of Marc Lenders

16 17 Governing Board Thematic Reference Group Members PRESIDENCY H.E. Metropolitan Joseph of Central and Southern BIOETHICS Rev. Hilde Marie Movafagh Europe (Romanian Orthodox Church) / Christian Council of Norway President Proxy: Rev Prof. Viorel Ionita (Romanian Orthodox Rev. Dr Jean Boboc Rt. Rev Christopher Hill D. D. KCVO (Church of ) Church) Romanian Orthodox Church Dr Friederike Nüssel Evangelical Church in Germany Vice-President Mr Edouard Kibongui Kanza (Christian Evangelical Dr Andrea Dörries Very Rev Karin Burstrand (Church of Sweden) Baptist Union of Italy) Evangelical Church in Germany Dr Emmanouil Papamikroulis Proxy: Ms Dunia Magherini (Christian Evangelical Baptist Church of Greece Vice-President Union of Italy) H.G. Bishop Makarios Griniezakis of Christopolis H.E. Metropolitan Emmanuel of France (Ecumenical Ecumenical Patriarchate Rev. Dr Mattijs Ploeger Patriarchate) Rev. Christian Krieger (Union of Protestant Churches in Old- in the Netherlands Alsace and Lorraine) Dr Murdo Macdonald Proxy: Rev. Marc Seiwert (Union of Protestant Churches Church of Scotland Rev. Dr Sorin Selaru MEMBERS AND PROXIES in Alsace and Lorraine) Romanian Orthodox Church Rev. Dr Brendan McCarthy Mr Andreas Henriksen Aarflot (Church of Norway) Prof. Dr Aila Lauha (Evangelical Lutheran Church of Archimandrite Agathangelos Siskos Proxy: Mr Christian Roar Pedersen (Evangelical Lutheran Finland) Ecumenical Patriarchate Church in ) Proxy: Mr Tapani Rantala (Evangelical Lutheran Church Dr Ulrich Becker Nissen of Finland) Evangelical Lutheran Church in Denmark Rev. Daniel Topalski Rev. Gwynn ap Gwilym () United Methodist Church in Bulgaria Proxy: Rev. Canon Dr Leslie Nathaniel (Church of Rev. Alison McDonald (Church of Scotland) Rev. Dr Miriam Prasilova England) Proxy: Rev. Dr Donald Watts (Presbyterian Church in Silesian Evangelical Church A.C. in the Czech Republic Ireland) ECONOMIC AND ECOLOGICAL JUSTICE Rev. Michael Bubik (Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Mr Meego Remmel Confession in Austria) H.E. Archbishop Dr Yeznik Petrosyan (Armenian Estonian Council of Churches Rev. Dr Tamas Kodacsy Proxy: Rev. Mag Thomas Hennefeld (Reformed Church Apostolic Church) Reformed Church in Hungary of Austria) Proxy: Bishop Hovakim Manukyan (Armenian Apostolic Prof. Luca Savarino Church) Federation of Protestant Churches in Italy Ir Kees Nieuwerth MPhil LKRin Christine Busch (Evangelical Church in Germany) Church and Peace Proxy: OKR Rainer Kiefer (Evangelical Church in H.G. Bishop Porfyrios of Neapolis (Church of Cyprus) Ms Julija Vidovic Germany) Proxy: Ms Sonila Dedja-Rembeci (Orthodox Serbian Orthodox Church Rev. Dr Panu Pihkala Autocephalous Church of Albania) Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland Dr Katerina Dekanovska (Czechoslovak Hussite Church) Proxy: Rev. Martina Kopecka (Czechoslovak Hussite Very Rev Archimandrite Ignatios Sotiriadis (Church of ECCLESIOLOGY AND THEOLOGICAL Rev. Hans Martin Renno Church) Greece) DIALOGUE United Methodist Church in Germany Proxy: Rev Dr Andrzej Kuzma (Polish Autocephalous Rev. Adriana Florea (Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Orthodox Church) Rev. Maria Agustsdottir Rev. Dr Raag Rolfsen Confession in Romania) Evangelical Lutheran Church of Church of Norway / Christian Council of Norway Proxy: Rev. Elfriede Dörr (Evangelical Church of the Rev. Silke Tosch (Union of Evangelical Free Church Augsburg Confession in Romania) Congregations in Germany ()) Rev. Branimir Bucanovic Mr Adrian Shaw Proxy: Rev. Stephan von Twardowski (United Methodist Reformed Christian (Calvinist) Church in Croatia Church of Scotland Ms Emma Johnson (Methodist Church in Britain) Church in Germany) Proxy: Ms Sarah Bach (United Methodist Church in Rev. Eva Guldanova Archimandrite Ignatios Sotiriadis Switzerland) Ms Julija Vidovic (Serbian Orthodox Church) Ecumenical Forum of European Christian Women Church of Greece Proxy: Dr Aleksandra Pistalo (Serbian Orthodox Church) Most Rev. Dr Michael Jackson Rev. Sabine Udodesku Evangelical Church in Germany Rev. Dr Tomi Karttunen Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland Mr Rob van Drimmelen United Protestant Church of Belgium

EDUCATION FOR DEMOCRATIC CITIZENSHIP

Ms Hanna Broadbridge Evangelical Lutheran Church in Denmark

Mr Vincent Dubois United Protestant Church of Belgium

18 19 Archpriest Christos Filiotis Ms Lena Kumlin LLM Ms Natallia Vasilevich AD-HOC WORKING GROUP ON Ecumenical Patriarchate Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland World Student Christian Federation-Europe EUROPEAN ECONOMIC GOVERNANCE

Rev. Dr Vasile Iorgulescu Prof. Nikolaos Maghioros Ms Geesje Werkman Prof. Dr Hans Diefenbacher Romanian Orthodox Church Church of Greece Protestant Church in the Netherlands Evangelical Church in Germany

Rev. Dr Ioannis Karamouzis Dr Joanna Matuszewska Mr Szabolcs Lörincz Church of Greece Evangelical Reformed Church in Poland PEACEBUILDING AND RECONCILIATION Reformed Church of Hungary

Ms Hana Moualla Prof. Dr David McClean Mr Tor Kristian Birkeland Prof. Dr Gerhard Wegner Czechoslovak Hussite Church Church of England Church of Norway / Christian Council of Norway Evangelical Church in Germany

Mr Jan Schinkelshoek Dr Kenneth Milne Rev. Dr Björn Cedersjö Prof. Dr Chris Lefebvre Protestant Church in the Netherlands Church of Ireland Christian Council of Sweden United Protestant Church in Belgium

Dr Peter Schreiner Prof. Dr Rüdiger Stotz Rev. Dr Vilmos Fischl Mr Arttu Makipaa Evangelical Church in Germany / InterEuropean Evangelical Church in Germany Ecumenical Council of Churches in Hungary Church of England Commission on Church and School Mr Reinis Vanags OKRin Antje Heider-Rottwilm Mr Vladimir Gerka Rev. Tuula Helena Vinko Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia Church and Peace Orthodox Church in the Czech Lands and Slovakia Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland Mr Pantel Vingas Archimandrite Maximos Pafilis Prof Dr Heikki Hiilamo Ms Maria Wingård Ecumenical Patriarchate Church of Greece Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland Church of Sweden / Christian Council of Sweden / Uniting Church in Sweden Ms Louise Wilkins Dr Johnston McMaster Dr Pandora Dimanopoulou-Cohen Methodist Church in Britain Methodist Church in Ireland / Irish Council of Churches Ecumenical Patriarchate

EMPLOYMENT Rev. Canon Dr Leslie Nathaniel AND SOCIAL ISSUES HUMAN RIGHTS Church of England

OKR Dr Ralph Charbonnier Archimandrite Aimilianos Bogiannou Rev. Joost Röselaers Evangelical Church in Germany Ecumenical Patriarchate Remonstrant Church in the Netherlands

Prof. Dr Konstantinos Delikostantis Ms Fiona Buchanan Rev. Aaro Rytkönen Ecumenical Patriarchate Church of Scotland Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland

Mr Vladimir Gerka Ms Marta Cecha Ms Catherine Tsavdaridou Orthodox Church in the Czech Lands and Slovakia Polish Autocephalous Orthodox Church Ecumenical Patriarchate

Rev. Juha Mattila Rev. Serge Fornerod Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland Federation of Swiss Protestant Churches

Dr Vasileios Meichanetsidis Rev. Dr Göran Gunner Church of Greece Church of Sweden

Mag. Martin Schenk Dr Peter Krömer Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Austria Austria

Ms Eva Ungvari Rev. Attila Palcso Ecumenical Youth Council in Europe Reformed Christian Church in Slovakia

Fr George Valcu Dr Aleksandra Pistalo Romanian Orthodox Church Serbian Orthodox Church

Rev. Dr Patrick Roger Schnabel EU POLICY AND LEGISLATION Evangelical Church in Germany

Ms Adéla Denkova Ms Lisa Schneider Czechoslovak Hussite Church Ecumenical Youth Council in Europe

Dr Altana Filos Dr. Pamela Slotte Evangelical Church of Greece Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland

20 21 Poland Sweden Member Churches Baptist Union of Poland Church of Sweden Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Poland Uniting Church in Sweden Albania Georgia Evangelical Reformed Church in Poland Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania Evangelical Baptist Church of Georgia Old-Catholic Mariavite Church in Poland Switzerland Polish Autocephalous Orthodox Church United Methodist Church in Switzerland Armenia Germany Polish Catholic Church (Old-Catholic) Federation of Swiss Protestant Churches Armenian Apostolic Church Catholic of the Old-Catholics in Germany United Methodist Church in Poland Old-Catholic Church of Switzerland Evangelical Church in Germany Austria Union of Evangelical Free Church Congregations in Portugal Ukraine Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Germany (Baptist Union) Evangelical Methodist Church in Portugal Reformed Church in Transcarpathia Austria United Methodist Church in Germany Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Portugal Old-Catholic Church of Austria Lusitanian Catholic Apostolic Evangelical Church United Kingdom Reformed Church of Austria Greece Baptist Union of Great Britain United Methodist Church in Austria Church of Greece Romania Church in Wales Evangelical Church of Greece Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Church of England Belgium Romania (Sibiu) Church of Scotland United Protestant Church in Belgium Hungary Evangelical Lutheran Church in Romania (Cluj-Napoca) Congregational Federation of the United Kingdom Baptist Union of Hungary Reformed Church in Romania (Kiralyhagomellek district) Council of African and Caribbean Churches in the UK Bulgaria Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hungary Romanian Orthodox Church Methodist Church in Britain Pentecostal Assemblies of Bulgaria Reformed Church in Hungary Transylvanian Reformed Church Presbyterian Church of Wales Union of Evangelical Baptist Churches in Bulgaria United Methodist Church in Hungary Salvation Army UK Territory/Ireland United Methodist Church in Bulgaria Russia Shiloh United Church of Christ Apostolic Worlwide Iceland Union of Evangelical Christians-Baptists of Russia United Reformed Church Croatia Evangelical Lutheran Church of Iceland Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ingria in Russia Baptist Union of Croatia Russian Orthodox Church (suspended its membership in International Areas Church of God in Croatia Ireland 2008) Ecumenical Patriarchate Evangelical Lutheran Church in Croatia Church of Ireland European Baptist Federation Evangelical Pentecostal Church in Croatia Methodist Church in Ireland Serbia Evangelical Lutheran Church in Russia and Other States Reformed Christian (Calvinist) Church in Croatia Presbyterian Church in Ireland Reformed Christian Church in Serbia and Montenegro Moravian Church - European Continental Province Serbian Orthodox Church Salvation Army - International Headquarters Cyprus Italy Slovak Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in United Methodist Church - Nordic & Baltic Area Church of Cyprus Christian Evangelical Baptist Union of Italy Serbia Evangelical Lutheran Church in Italy United Methodist Church in Serbia Czech Republic Evangelical Methodist Church in Italy Czechoslovak Hussite Church Waldensian Church in Italy Slovak Republic Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Old-Catholic Church in the Czech Republic Latvia Slovakia Orthodox Church in the Czech Lands and Slovakia Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia Orthodox Church in the Czech Lands and Slovakia Silesian Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church Abroad (Germany) Reformed Christian Church in Slovakia in the Czech Republic United Methodist Church in the Czech Republic Liechtenstein Slovenia Evangelical Church in the Principality of Liechtenstein Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in the Denmark Republic of Slovenia Baptist Union of Denmark Lithuania Evangelical Lutheran Church in Denmark Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lithuania Spain Lithuanian Evangelical Lutheran Church in Germany Spanish Evangelical Church Estonia Spanish Reformed Episcopal Church Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church Luxembourg Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church Abroad (Canada) Protestant Churches in Luxembourg Estonian (Apostolic) Orthodox Church Netherlands Finland Mennonite Church in the Netherlands Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland Old-Catholic Church of the Netherlands Orthodox Church of Finland Protestant Church in the Netherlands Remonstrant Church Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia United Methodist Church in the FYR of Macedonia Norway Church of Norway France Federation of Evangelical Baptist Churches of France Malagasy Protestant Church in France Union of Protestant Churches in Alsace and Lorraine United Protestant Church of France

22 23 NATIONAL COUNCILS RESOURCES Acronyms and Abbreviations OF CHURCHES The audited accounts (income and expenditure) ASSPROP Association of Owners Action of Churches Together in Scotland of the Conference of European Churches for 2015 Christian Council of Norway CCEE Council of European Bishops’ Conferences closed with a total of €1 707 743. Membership fees Christian Council of Sweden CCME Churches’ Commission for Migrants in Europe Christian Interconfessional Consultative Committee were collected from 78 of our 114 Member Churches. Churches Together in Britain and Ireland Thanks to additional earmarked contributions from CDPPE Steering Committee for Education Policy and Practice Churches Together in England Member Churches, church-related organisations, CEC Conference of European Churches Churches Together in Wales foundations, and others, CEC was able to implement Consultation of Christian Churches in Belgium CoE Council of Europe many projects that would have been otherwise Council of Christian Churches in Germany COMECE Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union Council of Christian Churches in Slovenia financially impossible. The Armenian Apostolic Council of Churches in the Netherlands Church hosted the November 2015 governing COP21 Twenty-first session of the Conference of Parties Ecumenical Association of Churches in Romania board meetings, and many Member Churches also CPCE Community of Protestant Churches in Europe (AIDRom) made in-kind contributions by hosting meetings or Ecumenical Council of Churches in Austria DH-BIO Committee on Bioethics – Council of Europe Ecumenical Council of Churches in Hungary covering the costs of their participants. Ecumenical Council of Churches in Slovakia ECEN European Christian Environmental Network Ecumenical Council of Churches in the Czech Republic We are grateful for contributions from: ECHR European Court of Human Rights Ecumenical Council of Churches in Lithuania Church of Greece Estonian Council of Churches ECJ European Court of Justice Church of Scotland Federation of Protestant Churches in Italy ECSR European Committee of Social Rights French Protestant Federation Church of Sweden Finnish Ecumenical Council Evangelical Church of Westphalia EDC Education for Democratic Citizenship Irish Council of Churches Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland EESC European Economic and Social Committee Malta Ecumenical Council (Christians Together in Malta) Otto per Mille Fund National Council of Churches in Denmark EKD Evangelical Church in Germany Polish Ecumenical Council Pastoral Care in the Working Environment (EKD) Portuguese Council of Christian Churches Protestant Institute for Interdisciplinary Research ENCC European National Councils of Churches Spanish Committee on Cooperation between the ENP European Neighbourhood Policy Churches Swedish Free Church Council EP European Parliament Swiss National Ecumenical Council STAFF EPP European People’s Party ESA European Sunday Alliance General Secretary EU European Union ORGANISATIONS Fr Heikki Huttunen EU-CORD European Christian Organisations for Relief and Development IN PARTNERSHIP Executive Staff INGO International Non-governmental Organisations Church and Peace Rev. Frank-Dieter Fischbach, Executive Secretary MEP Member of the European Parliament Churches Commission for Migrants in Europe Rev. Richard Fischer, Executive Secretary Conference of European Clergy S&D Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats Ms Erin Green, Communication Coordinator Conference of European University Chaplains TFEU Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union Ecumenical Association for Adult Education in Europe Mag. Elizabeta Kitanovic, Executive Secretary Ecumenical Forum of European Christian Women Rev. Dr Peter Pavlovic, Study Secretary TRG Thematic Reference Group Eurodiaconia UEPAL Union of Protestant Churches of Alsace and Lorraine European Alliance of Young Men Christian Associations Finance European Forum of Christian Men WCC World Council of Churches InterEuropean Commission on Church and School Ms Charlotte Van der Borght, Accountant International Association for Christian Education International Prison Chaplains’ Association - Europe Administration Oikosnet Europe Ms Véronique Dessart, Assistant Union of Evangelical Free Churches in Germany Ms Véronique Engels, Assistant to the General World Student Christian Federation - Europe Young Women Christian Association - Europe Secretary Ms Maura O’Riordan, Assistant Ms Maria Pomazkova, Assistant Ms Katharina Stolberg, Assistant

Associated Staff Rev. John Murray 24 25