DOCSLIB.ORG

Church-Based Welfare Agency and Public Religion

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Church-Based Welfare Agency and Public Religion Olav Helge Angell CHURCH-BASED WELFARE AGENCY AND PUBLIC RELIGION Abstract The purpose of the article is to study how a church-based welfare agent (Kirkens Bymisjon, the Church City Mission, in Drammen) can act as a value guardian in social action and public dis- course, how this agency is received in the local community and how this agency is significant in a sociological perspective. The material presented in this article derives from the Norwegian case study in a European research project (Welfare and Religion in a European Perspective), carried out in a middle-sized town, Drammen. Findings show that the local majority church, the Church of Norway in Drammen, including church-based voluntary agents, is expected by the local public authorities to participate in the public welfare debate issues. The local church does not live up to expectations, mainly with the exception of the case organisation studied here. It is perceived to act as a value guardian in practical social work and in the public discourse. Values supported are the human dignity of everybody and the collective solidarity of the welfare state. It is reasonable to explain the organisation’s role in the public sphere in connection with the general appreciation of the practical social work it performs. Key words: religion, church, welfare, public, values, social work, moral agency, voluntary organ- isation Introduction In the Nordic value study on «folk churches and religious pluralism» (Gustafsson and Pettersson 2000) a majority both in Norway and in the other Nordic countries grant a high degree of legitimacy to church-based social welfare work, with reference to the majority churches, the Lutheran churches, in each country (Gustafsson 2000; cf. Sund- back 2000). The support for this kind of work is significantly higher than for work more directly related to attention to religious functions. It has been claimed that in late modern society the primary welfare function of the church is related to its contribution to identity and meaning (Bäckström 2001), what may be called a symbolic function. The outcome of the Nordic value study may be interpreted in a way that modifies such a claim. 179 Nordic Journal of Religion and Society 20:2 Research in the Nordic countries on the specific roles of faith-based or church- based voluntary organisations and their role in the welfare field has increased signifi- cantly during the past ten to fifteen years, especially in Finland, Norway and Sweden. The studies concern the contemporary role of parishes and diaconal organisations as providers of social work or welfare services in the welfare state (Angell 1994; Angell and Wyller 2006; Beckman et al. 2006; Bäckström 2001; Engel 2006; Jeppsson Grass- man 2001; Sagatun 1998; Svendal 1998; Yeung 2006), including more historically ori- ented studies (Hvinden and Pettersen 2001; Leis 2004; Lorentzen 1994). Some studies focus more on interorganisational relationships than the particular (church-based) agencies involved (Sagatun 1998) and emphasise organisations working in the field of relief and development aid (Schjørring 2001; Tønnessen 2007). Several studies address what I term the value guardian role of the church-based agents (Angell and Wyller 2006; Beckman et al. 2006; Leis 2004; Lorentzen 1994; Yeung 2006) but less explicitly than this article does. In addressing the value guardian role this article includes both social action and participation in the public welfare debate. The article is primarily a case study of a local Norwegian voluntary welfare organ- isation called Kirkens Bymisjon, the Church City Mission (CCM)1. The purpose of the article is to focus on how a church-based welfare agent can act as a «value guardian» in social action and public discourse. The concept of value guardian refers to US pro- fessor of social welfare Ralph Kramer’s analysis of the functions of voluntary organi- sations in the welfare state (Kramer 1981). Kramer specifies four main types of organ- isational roles of voluntary agencies in the welfare state, the vanguard role, the improver or advocate role, the service provider role and the value guardian role. The vanguard is the pioneer, the innovator; the improver or advocate is the critic or watch- dog vis à vis the state and its services. In this article special attention will be paid to the value guardian role, by which «a voluntary agency (among other things) is expected to promote citizen participation, to develop leadership, and to protect the special interests of social, religious, cultural and other minority groups» (Kramer 1981:9). We may take this definition as a guideline without restricting the role the way Kramer does. The value guardian role is thus associated with the role of the «critical voice» (cf. Lund- ström and Wijkström 1995). Participation in the public discourse refers to how the voice of the church-based agents is made visible in the local media. The church as an institution is by definition a guardian of (religious) values. The focus of this article is how a church-based voluntary welfare organisation takes on a value guardian role, and how this agency is received in the local community, especially by the public sector. A church-based welfare agency may be seen as a form of religious practice and in theological terms closely connected to the concept of diaconia (cf. Heitink 1999; Tønnessen 2005). Methods The material presented derives from the Norwegian case study in the European research project Welfare and religion in a European perspective - A comparative study 180 Olav Helge Angell Church-based welfare agency and public religion of the role of the majority churches as welfare providers within the social economy (WREP) (see Bäckström 2003). The case study was carried out in the town of Dram- men, a middle-sized town south-west of the capital, Oslo. Data were collected on the welfare agency of church-based agents, on interactions and relationships between public authorities and the local majority church, the Church of Norway,2 in matters of welfare agency, including each party’s perception of and attitude to the other in its role as welfare agent. Data were collected in 2004–2005 and consisted of interviews and document analysis. We interviewed representatives of the local church (clergy at parish and deanery level, parish deacons, parish council leaders and leading administrative staff at the deanery level and representatives of other church-based welfare organisa- tions), the public authorities (managers at different levels in the municipality and members of the municipal council) and the political editor of the local newspaper, Drammens Tidende.3 Data were also collected from the newspaper, partly from a web source, the electronic archive for the period 2001 – 2005, partly from the paper edition, mainly for the period the data collection took place. Data include altogether 27 inter- views of which 14 were with local public authorities and 12 with church-related repre- sentatives. Theoretical perspectives In the analysis of the empirical data I will draw mainly on welfare theory and ethical theory. Modernity is characterised by individualisation. Individualisation as a cultural phenomenon is associated with the idea that each individual human being is responsi- ble for his/her own life choices, for his/her life situation. The Canadian philosopher Charles Taylor’s analysis of the «malaise of modernity» or «the ethics of authenticity» (Taylor 1991) is based on the premise that in modern societies, authorised, taken for granted, shared sets of norms and values are by and large missing. According to Taylor, there is a demand put on the individual to fulfil oneself, based on the moral ideal of being true to oneself, of authenticity. This moral ideal of constructing one’s own per- sonal identity cannot be conducted by the individual in isolation, as the making and sustaining of our identity (…) remain dialogical throughout our lives», according to Taylor (Taylor 1991:35). This line of reasoning resembles Anthony Giddens’ theory on identity formation in modernity as a reflexive process (Giddens 1991). On the one hand, individual responsibility has freedom as its basis. On the other hand, freedom is not for everyone to enjoy (Bauman 2001). From a structural point of view, there are those who do not command sufficient resources to choose and live their lives as they would like. Their life situation should not be seen as a result of personal choices only, when they are displaced to a position on the margins of society. When every individual basically is thought to be responsible for his/her life, s/he is the one to blame in case of failure (Beck and Hviid Nielsen 1997) and to take the consequences thereof. Consequently, there is a tension between the ideal of collective solidarity built into the welfare state and the ideology of individualism. 181 Nordic Journal of Religion and Society 20:2 This tension may be mitigated through the concept of responsibility as a basic polit- ical value particularly associated with the Christian democratic language in the Euro- pean political context (Stjernø 2005:249). Responsibility includes both individualism in the sense used above and its modification, meaning that it is the individual’s obliga- tion to help those in need. Combined with a social democratic perspective, this obliga- tion may well be perceived as a collective responsibility, giving priority to public arrangements, or alternatively to voluntary organisations in co-operation with the public sector. Social arrangements and social work with the aim of helping those in need repre- sents moral work. Those in need are themselves imbued with moral value and what is done in response to their situation and the way they are treated as users are «anchored in a moral context» (Hasenfeld 1992:5). For example, visiting a welfare office implies in many cases stigmatization and conveys a statement of negative social worth by observers – and even by the visitors themselves.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Church and Health Grafisk/Trykk: BK.No • Foto: Shutterstock • Papir: Galeriepapir: Art Silk • Shutterstock Foto: Grafisk/Trykk: • BK.No CHURCH and HEALTH
    XXX ChurCh and health Grafisk/trykk: BK.no • Foto: Shutterstock • Papir: GaleriePapir: Art Silk • Shutterstock Foto: Grafisk/trykk: • BK.no CHURCH AND HEALTH Contents 1. Introduction . .5 1.1 Background for the document presented at the General Synod 2015 .............................................................5 1.2 Overview of the content of the document ...........................................................................................................7 1.3 What do we understand by health?.......................................................................................................................8 2. 2. Theological Perspectives on Health and the Health Mission of the Church . 10. 2.1 Health in a biblical perspective............................................................................................................................10 2.2 Healing in a biblical perspective..........................................................................................................................12 2.3 The mission of the disciples . .15 2.4 The healing ministry of the Church....................................................................................................................16 3. Todays Situation as Context for the Health Mission of the Church . 19. 3.1 The welfare state as frame for the health mission of the Church ....................................................................19 3.2 Health- and care services under pressure ..........................................................................................................21
    [Show full text]
  • Norway Health Directorate (2014) National Overdose Strategy 2014–17
    IS - 0418E National Overdose Strategy 2014-2017 “Sure you can quit drugs – but first you have to survive” Publication title: “Sure you can quit drugs, but first you have to survive” Published 04/2014; English version 10/2014 Publication number: IS-0418E Published by: Norwegian Directorate of Health Contact: Specialized Mental Health Services and Substance Abuse Postal address: Pb. 7000 St Olavs plass, 0130 Oslo Street address: Universitetsgata 2, Oslo Tel.: +47 810 20 050 Fax: +47 24 16 30 01 www.helsedirektoratet.no Illustration: Unless otherwise indicated, the photographs in this document were taken by Martin Blindheim. The poems cited in this document are reproduced by permission of the copyright owners. Cover photo: Arne Mæland: Mennesket. Bronze sculpture on Fisketorget in Bergen, installed by the Church City Mission foundation, inscribed: Ingen er bare det du ser (‘Nobody is only what they seem’). Preface Drug-induced deaths, or overdose fatalities, are a serious health concern in Norway. In 2013, the Norwegian Parliament adopted a proposal mandating the Norwegian Directorate of Health to implement a five-year national overdose strategy. The Norwegian Directorate of Health regards the need for measures in this area as imperative. The aim is to gradually reduce the number of deaths. The Norwegian Parliament also decided to step up efforts to prevent overdose altogether by establishing a Vision Zero. Since the parliamentary resolution, the Directorate has implemented measures in association with a widely representative working party. The Directorate will be strengthening the overdose prevention focus in existing measures. In addition, it will be implementing new measures. The Directorate intends for the strategy to result in permanent changes to Norwegian public services.
    [Show full text]
  • A Learning Missional Church Reflections from Young Missiologists
    REGNUM EDINBURGH CENTENARY SERIES A Learning Missional Church Reflections from Young Missiologists REGNUM EDINBURGH CENTENARY SERIES The Centenary of the World Missionary Conference of 1910, held in Edinburgh, was a suggestive moment for many people seeking direction for Christian mission in the twenty-first century. Several different constituencies within world Christianity held significant events around 2010. From 2005, an international group worked collaboratively to develop an intercontinental and multi-denominational project, known as Edinburgh 2010, and based at New College, University of Edinburgh. This initiative brought together representatives of twenty different global Christian bodies, representing all major Christian denominations and confessions, and many different strands of mission and church life, to mark the Centenary. Essential to the work of the Edinburgh 1910 Conference, and of abiding value, were the findings of the eight think-tanks or ‘commissions’. These inspired the idea of a new round of collaborative reflection on Christian mission – but now focused on nine themes identified as being key to mission in the twenty-first century. The study process was polycentric, open-ended, and as inclusive as possible of the different genders, regions of the world, and theological and confessional perspectives in today’s church. It was overseen by the Study Process Monitoring Group: Miss Maria Aranzazu Aguado (Spain, The Vatican), Dr Daryl Balia (South Africa, Edinburgh 2010), Mrs Rosemary Dowsett (UK, World Evangelical Alliance), Dr Knud Jørgensen (Norway, Areopagos), Rev. John Kafwanka (Zambia, Anglican Communion), Rev. Dr Jooseop Keum (Korea, World Council of Churches), Dr Wonsuk Ma (Korea, Oxford Centre for Mission Studies), Rev. Dr Kenneth R.
    [Show full text]
  • Somalis in Oslo
    Somalis-cover-final-OSLO_Layout 1 2013.12.04. 12:40 Page 1 AT HOME IN EUROPE SOMALIS SOMALIS IN Minority communities – whether Muslim, migrant or Roma – continue to come under OSLO intense scrutiny in Europe today. This complex situation presents Europe with one its greatest challenges: how to ensure equal rights in an environment of rapidly expanding diversity. IN OSLO At Home in Europe, part of the Open Society Initiative for Europe, Open Society Foundations, is a research and advocacy initiative which works to advance equality and social justice for minority and marginalised groups excluded from the mainstream of civil, political, economic, and, cultural life in Western Europe. Somalis in European Cities Muslims in EU Cities was the project’s first comparative research series which examined the position of Muslims in 11 cities in the European Union. Somalis in European cities follows from the findings emerging from the Muslims in EU Cities reports and offers the experiences and challenges faced by Somalis across seven cities in Europe. The research aims to capture the everyday, lived experiences as well as the type and degree of engagement policymakers have initiated with their Somali and minority constituents. somalis-oslo_incover-publish-2013-1209_publish.qxd 2013.12.09. 14:45 Page 1 Somalis in Oslo At Home in Europe somalis-oslo_incover-publish-2013-1209_publish.qxd 2013.12.09. 14:45 Page 2 ©2013 Open Society Foundations This publication is available as a pdf on the Open Society Foundations website under a Creative Commons license that allows copying and distributing the publication, only in its entirety, as long as it is attributed to the Open Society Foundations and used for noncommercial educational or public policy purposes.
    [Show full text]
  • Diakonia in a Contemporary Socio-Democratic Welfare Society
    DIAKONIA IN A CONTEMPORARY SOCIO-DEMOCRATIC WELFARE SOCIETY. A qualitative research on the role of the church to care for the weak, marginalized and suffering in the city of Stavanger, Norway. Marie Stene Gray VID vitenskapelige høgskole VID Stavanger Masteroppgave Master in globale studier Antall ord: 27 743 16 Mai 2017 1 2 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT “Finally, brothers and sister, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right whatever is pure, whatever is lovely whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” – Philippians 4,8-9 It has truly been an honor and a privilege to study, and further my knowledge of the Christian faith and life. This thesis becomes a reality with the kind support and help of many individuals. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all who have motivated and encouraged me. I would like to express my sincere appreciation to my supervisor Kari Storstein Haug, for both your good structure and your guidance. I have greatly appreciated your dedication, your good advice and your feedback throughout this whole process. In addition, I would like to thank other students and staff at VID Stavanger for some engaging, challenging and educational years. I look back on these years with great gratitude for all I have learned and experienced. I would also like to extend gratitude to my family who has encouraged me and listened to me for countless hours while talking about my project, thank you! Finally, to my forever interested, encouraging and always enthusiastic husband, Jason, who has been an invaluable support at all stages of this process.
    [Show full text]
  • Introduction-To-Nordic-Cultures.Pdf
    Introduction to Nordic Cultures Introduction to Nordic Cultures Edited by Annika Lindskog and Jakob Stougaard-Nielsen First published in 2020 by UCL Press University College London Gower Street London WC1E 6BT Available to download free: www.uclpress.co.uk Text © Contributors, 2020 Images © Copyright holders named in captions, 2020 The authors have asserted their rights under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the authors of this work. A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from The British Library. This book is published under a Creative Commons 4.0 International licence (CC BY 4.0). This licence allows you to share, copy, distribute and transmit the work; to adapt the work and to make commercial use of the work providing attribution is made to the authors (but not in any way that suggests that they endorse you or your use of the work). Attribution should include the following information: Lindskog, A. and Stougaard-Nielsen, J. (eds.). 2020. Introduction to Nordic Cultures. London: UCL Press. DOI: https://doi.org/10.14324/111.9781787353992 Further details about Creative Commons licences are available at http:// creativecommons.org/licenses/ Any third-party material in this book is published under the book’s Creative Commons licence unless indicated otherwise in the credit line to the material. If you would like to reuse any third-party material not covered by the book’s Creative Commons licence, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. ISBN: 978-1-78735-401-2 (Hbk.) ISBN: 978-1-78735-400-5 (Pbk.) ISBN: 978-1-78735-399-2 (PDF) ISBN: 978-1-78735-402-9 (epub) ISBN: 978-1-78735-403-6 (mobi) DOI: https://doi.org/10.14324/111.9781787353992 Contents List of figures vii List of contributors x Acknowledgements xiii Editorial Introduction to Nordic Cultures 1 Annika Lindskog and Jakob Stougaard-Nielsen Part I: Identities 9 1.
    [Show full text]
  • Leif? Leiv? Leifr? Det Er Ikke Vanskelig Å Finne the Annual What’S in a Trekk Ved Det Norske Samfunn Leif Erikson Name? Som Minner Om Vikingtiden
    (Periodicals postage paid in Seattle, WA) TIME-DATED MATERIAL — DO NOT DELAY Norwegian Heritage? Special Issue Leif? Leiv? Leifr? Det er ikke vanskelig å finne The annual What’s in a trekk ved det norske samfunn Leif Erikson name? som minner om vikingtiden. Issue! Read more on page 14 – Marianne Lie Norwegian American Weekly Vol. 123 No. 36 October 5, 2012 Established May 17, 1889 • Formerly Western Viking and Nordisk Tidende $1.50 per copy Norway.com News Find more at www.norway.com Afghanistan mission ends News Norwegian Norway has taken delivery of a new C-130J tactical transport soldiers leave from Lockheed Martin, with the aircraft to replace an example Faryab province that was destroyed in a fatal crash earlier this year. Handed after eight years over during a Sept. 27 ceremony at Lockheed’s Marietta produc- tion site in Georgia, the airlifter VG restores the Royal Norwegian Air Force’s Hercules inventory On Sept. 28, the last Norwe- to four aircraft. gian soldier left Faryab province (blog.norway.com/category/ news) in Afghanistan, ending Norway’s eight-year mission in the country. Business “I am convinced that the Af- ghans will take responsibility se- Starbucks Corporation is charg- ing ahead in its European ex- riously, and find Afghan solutions pansion efforts despite the on- to Afghan problems. They will going sovereign debt crisis and manage just fine without us,” said the high cost of entry into the Colonel Odd Andreas Søbstad at market. The strategy is part of Camp Meymaneh. the company’s efforts to boost Søbstad served as leader of its global footprint in Asia, Eu- the Norwegian stabilization force rope and the Middle East.
    [Show full text]
  • Annual Report Summary 2012
    1 Annual report summary 2012 Information Sheet: The Welfare Alliance/ (EAPN) European Anti Poverty Network Norway the partnership network of organisations/associations/action groups for financially, socially and legally disadvantaged groups in Norway The primary objectives of the Welfare Alliance are to: - abolish poverty - ensure increased user participation - improve life quality and conditions for our membership groups - improve financial and working conditions for our member organisations Årsmøte Velferdsalliansen/EAPN Norway 2013 2 The Welfare alliance was founded on 6th March –98 and has the following 27 member NGOs as of May 2013. New members 2012- May 2013. · Aktbo AKS (situated in Bergen) The Norwegian Amazig Culture Organisation ASI Nord-Trøndelag - Work Seekers’ Interest Organisation ASI Sør-Trøndelag - Work Seekers’ Interest Organisation Bibi Amka (Woman wake up) African women network Bikuben (A NGO founded by Mental Healt,ADHD regions and LPP represented all over North Norway) Blålys,- Assosiation for sexually abused BUS - Bergen Social Need Action Group Fredrikstad District Client Action Group Frelsesarmeen / Salvation Army NAV brukerne I Karmøy distriktet changed name from Karmøy District Client Action Group National Charitable Association for Justice for Losers Oslo Tenant’s Association Oslo Poor House (Fattighuset i Oslo) Offenders’ Organisation of Norway – SON Oslo independent legal councelling group Our Common Future Project – PROFF, Sandefjord Stavanger independent legal councelling group Møteplassen http://rjukan.frivilligsentral.no/?pageslug=moteplassen-4553 Single Parents Association SUKAO Stiftelsen Selvhjelpens Hus - House of help to self help Total Rehab Utsatt mann / Deferred man (- Men sexually abused in childhood http://utsattmann.no/? lang=en) Your Future (Din Framtid) Church City Mission (Associated member) (Note: Names of associations are literal translations, not official English titles – Norwegian acronyms retained) Postal address: Storgata 28 B, N- 0184 Oslo.
    [Show full text]
  • Masteroppgave2016djounzohm
    Empowerment Strategies of Participants and Volunteers in the City Mission (An example of a Diaconal Institution dealing with challenges Regarding drug addiction, SAFIR) VID Diakonhjemmet Høgskole Master in Diakonia and Christian Social Practice Author: Djounzoh Melanie Ngwah EMD 300 -Master Thesis Supervisor: Marianne Rodriguez Nygaard i Semester: Spring 2016 ABSTRACT The aim of this thesis is to discuss and explored the strategies used by a diaconal institution in the empowerment of volunteers and participants in Oslo, Norway. This study examines, SAFIR, a diaconal project of the Church City Mission that provides assistance to persons that have decided to put an end to drug consumption. During the past decade, a lot of persons have stopped the consumption of drugs and we hardly know which strategies are used by the institutions to rehabilitate these former addicts. Until recently, less attention has been devoted towards understanding the strategies used in the rehabilitation of former drug addicts. Therefore, the research gap is the point of departure for this study. This thesis develops on qualitative in-depth interviews with four former drug addicts who engage or have been engaged as volunteers or participants with the said institution. In addition to literature review, this thesis is influenced by my position as a student carrying out research under this field of study. The thesis has centered on empowerment as a tool of diaconal work. Following the acknowledgement of a gap in the literature, this thesis seeks to shed light on the strategies used by a diaconal institution in the rehabilitation of former drug addicted persons, as well as the challenges faced by these institutions.
    [Show full text]
  • A Full Life - All Your Life a Quality Reform for Older Persons
    A full life - all your life A Quality Reform for Older Persons Norwegian Ministry of Health and Care Services LIVE YOUR WHOLE LIFE CONTENTS Preface . 5 Summery . 7 1 Goals and target group . 13 2 Background and history . 14 3 Implementation and methods . 16 4 National programme for an age-friendly Norway . 19 5 Activity and socialisation . 22 6 Food and meals . 29 7 Healthcare . 35 8 Coherence . 41 9 Basis for the reform . 42 LIVE YOUR WHOLE LIFE 3 4 LIVE YOUR WHOLE LIFE LIVE YOUR WHOLE LIFE LIVE YOUR WHOLE LIFE A Quality Reform for Older Persons Recommendation by the Ministry of Health and Care Services on 04 May 2018, approved at the cabinet meeting the same day. (Solberg government) LIVE YOUR WHOLE LIFE 5 6 LIVE YOUR WHOLE LIFE LIVE YOUR WHOLE LIFE LIVE YOUR WHOLE LIFE 7 Most older persons in Norway live good ensures security and dignity for the lives . They have an impact on their own senior years? One idea is to offer all daily lives . They are active and older persons at least one hour of participate in the social community . They activity per day based on their own have good health and care services that interests and wishes . Another is for are available when needed . They health and care services to establish a contribute with their own resources at community contact person to mobilise work, and to family and friends in their volunteer efforts. A third is to provide community . older persons with more opportunities to choose what they want to eat and to All older persons should be able to have a good meal in the company of continue enjoying their daily lives, even others .
    [Show full text]
  • The Boards Report and Accounts 2018 Sustainability
    The Boards report and Accounts 2018 Sustainability Over the course of its 200-year history, Gjensidige has sought to create a sense of security for our customers by safeguarding life, health and assets. We have implemented loss prevention measures, and provided help when the damage was done. Our experience and expertise shall benefit society at large. Sustainability 1. The Board’s and the management’s Chapter 2 on page 23 describes the risk and mater- perspective on sustainability iality assessment, and Chapter 5 on page 28 sets Gjensidige has always had a strong focus on its out the grounds for our focus areas and the status of corporate social responsibility, and this work is measures. The focus areas fall under three overriding based on our role as one of the biggest insurance categories: climate and the environment, social factors companies in the Nordic countries. We are convinced and business governance. that integrating sustainability into our core activities is vital to value creation in the long term. Gjensidige Climate change and environmental challenges takes its responsibility seriously and shall strive to are a high priority, and Gjensidige has set ambitious make the world a better place. and clear goals for our contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions (carbon intensity), both A description of how we work on our obligations under directly and indirectly through loss prevention, our the UN Global Compact follows below. Our work claims settlements and our own emissions. is also in accordance with the UNEP Principles for Sustainable Insurance. We describe our focus areas, Social factors: All aspects of our activities shall be goals, measures, the measures’ effect and our ambi- based on respect for human rights and employees’ tions for new measures.
    [Show full text]
  • Churches in Europe As Agents of Welfare – Sweden, Norway and Finland
    Churches in Europe as Agents of Welfare – Sweden, Norway and Finland Working Paper 2 from the Project Welfare and Religion in a European Perspective Volume 1 Editor: Anne Birgitta Yeung Co-editors: Ninna Edgardh Beckman, Per Pettersson Diakonivetenskapliga institutets skriftserie 11 The main sponsors of the project are The Bank of Sweden Tercentenary Foundation, Diakonistiftelsen Samariterhemmet and the Faculty of Theology, Uppsala Univer- sity. Current information on the project is available at http://wrep.no-ip.info. Project office: Uppsala Institute for Diaconal and Social Studies (DVI) Samaritergränd 2 SE-753 19 Uppsala Phone +46 18 56 40 10 Web-address: www.dvi.nu E-mail: [email protected] © Authors and DVI 2006 ISSN 1404-2924 ISBN 91-974565-8-6 Typesetting: Helena Riihiaho Printed in Sweden by SLU Repro, Uppsala, 2006 Distributor: [email protected] Contents Anne Birgitta Yeung & Ninna Edgardh Beckman & Per Pettersson Researching the Changing European Landscape of Welfare and Religion ....1 Martha Middlemiss Divided by a common language: The benefits and problems created by linguistic diversity in a comparative European project.................................11 Ninna Edgardh Beckman & Thomas Ekstrand & Per Pettersson The Church of Sweden as an Agent of Welfare – the case of Gävle ............20 Olav Helge Angell & Trygve Wyller The Church of Norway as an Agent of Welfare – the case of Drammen .....86 Anne Birgitta Yeung The Finnish Lutheran Church as an Agent of Welfare – the case of Lahti....142 Contributors Dr Olav Helge Angell, Diakonhjemmet Høgskole, Oslo, Norway. [email protected] Dr Ninna Edgardh Beckman, Uppsala Institute for Diaconal and Social Studies, Uppsala, Sweden. [email protected] Dr Thomas Ekstrand, Uppsala University, Sweden.
    [Show full text]