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NJPN Conference: 'Not right that child poverty is becoming the new normal'

  • Ellen Teague

With just days to go until the 2019 conference of the National Justice and Peace Network (NJPN), the director of Church Action on Poverty has said it is "simply not right" that child poverty is becoming the "new normal" in increasing parts of the country. A key conference focus will be on poverty and social exclusion in Britain and Niall Cooper suggests that, "surely it is within our power as a society to offer more to our children and young people", and "it's time to end child poverty in the UK".

This 41st NJPN Conference has worked with Church Action on Poverty, which is undertaking a three-year project to challenge the Churches about where they put their resources. Taking the theme, 'Forgotten People, Forgotten Places - Being Church on the Margins', more than 200 participants will hear from faith communities who are already involved on the margins. Pope Francis is a huge inspiration, having called for "a Church which is poor and for the poor". The NJPN conference will explore building churches that listen to voices from the margins and put emphasis on sharing, hospitality and work for justice.

Speakers are Revd Deirdre Brower Latz, who has worked as a pastor in urban/marginalised communities in Bristol and Manchester and lectures at the Nazarene Theological College in Manchester. Also, Professor Anthony Reddie, the leading scholar in the practice of Black Theology in grassroots communities. The Conference Chair will be John Battle, former Labour MP and current Chair of Leeds Diocesan Justice & Peace Commission.

Workshops will cover a wide range of issues, from 'Christianity, Poverty and Politics in an Age of Austerity' to 'Women's Voices on the Margins' to 'Becoming an inclusive Church: Disability'. 'Working with refugees in a hostile environment' will be led by Revd Chris Howson, an Anglican priest who works closely with the sanctuary-seeking community in Sunderland. Maria Elena of CAFOD will lead a workshop on 'Reimagine our Common Home and listen to vulnerable yet resilient communities'. One workshop will be youth-led and focus on young people's hopes for the Church and their place in it.

The 'Just Fair' will host 23 organisations including York Ecumenical J&P, Shared Interest, Medaille Trust, Missio, SVP and Columban JPIC. Fairtrade, Palestinian and eco-friendly goods will be on sale, and there will be information and opportunities for action from a wide range of issues and causes.

In line with NJPN's eco-commitment, the conference is largely vegetarian, and travelling by public transport or car sharing is encouraged. Participants are being encouraged to bring their own re-usable mugs in place of disposable cups. There are Youth and Children's programmes that run alongside the adult programme.

The conference will take place 26-28 July at Hayes Conference Centre in Derbyshire. A few places are still available.

LINK

www.justice-and-peace.org.uk/conference/


For more information call conference administrator on 020 7901 4864


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