NJPN Conference 2016: How can democracy work for the common good?

Bishop Rawsthorne at NJPN Conference 2015

The full title of the 2016 Annual Conference of the National Justice and Peace Network is 'Justice, Power, Responsibility: How can democracy work for the common good? It will take place Friday 15 July - Sunday 17 July at the Hayes Conference Centre in Derbyshire, and has been organised in partnership with the NJPN Environment Group, Ekklesia and Together for the Common Good.

Themes include: How do we get communities, politics and business working together for the common good? What role should personal judgement and mutual responsibility play in commercial and social decision-making? How can we engage people at the grassroots with clear purpose for the long-term benefit of all? How can we help to encourage a fresh moral vision of a society that has the common good at its heart? The NJPN invites participants "to come and explore the possibilities, while celebrating and giving thanks for the freedoms we enjoy".

SPEAKERS:

Jon Cruddas MP is the Labour member for Dagenham and Rainham, having first been elected for Dagenham in 2001. From 2012 to 2015 he was in the Shadow Cabinet as Policy Co-ordinator for the Labour Party. Influenced by Catholic Social Teaching, he is developing a virtue-based model of politics.

Jenny Sinclair is the daughter of the late Bishop David Sheppard, who had a celebrated working partnership in Liverpool with Archbishop Derek Worlock and Free Church leaders. Four years ago she felt moved by the Spirit and founded a project, Together for the Common Good to help establish a dialogue with all people of good will aimed at change. See www.togetherforthecommongood.co.uk

Takura Gwatinyanya is a CAFOD partner and Program Manager of Caritas Harare. His special interest is in the implementation of sustainable development projects that promote engagement of civil society through public and private partnerships.

There is likely to be a speaker from Global Justice Now - to be confirmed - which is raising awareness about global free trade deals which undermine national sovereignty over natural resources and food.

CONFERENCE CHAIR:

Christine Allen, Director, Policy and Public Affairs at Christian Aid. Christine was Executive Director of Progressio for 10 years and was part of the LiveSimply Executive.

Plus Panel Discussion: Chair: Simon Barrow, Writer, commentator, theologian, journalist; Co-Director of the Christian think-tank, Ekklesia

JUST FAIR

Agencies will be displaying goods and resources, and information and ideas about practical action can be obtained at the "Just Fair" marketplace.

CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE

Children and young people are a vital part of the conference. There will be a crèche for children under 5 and a Y-KIDS Programme for 5 to 11 year olds. 12 to 16/18 year olds will explore the conference theme in an active and thought provoking weekend led by InReality Youth Team from Hallam Diocese.

WORKSHOPS Planned workshops include:

Church Action on Poverty--local empowerment; Working with local councilors; Positive Money; Progressio--empowering women; NJPN Environment Group--community action on sustainable food, fracking; Media; Pax Christi; Housing Justice; Catholic Social Teaching; Europe and democracy.

BOOKING DETAILS AT:

http://justice-and-peace.org.uk/conference-2016/justice-power-and-responsibility-how-can-democracy-work-for-the-common-good/attachment/conf-2016-booking-form-word-doc/