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The Leadership of IFOR met with WCC staff. (left to right) President Davorka Lovrekovic, Germany, Vicepresident Tobias Lohse, Germany, Marianne Ejdersten, WCC Director of Communication and Hans Uli Gerber, former President of IFOR. © SWEFOR/Ingela Svedin

The Leadership of IFOR met with WCC staff. (left to right) President Davorka Lovrekovic, Germany, Vicepresident Tobias Lohse, Germany, Marianne Ejdersten, WCC Director of Communication and Hans Uli Gerber, former President of IFOR. © SWEFOR/Ingela Svedin

European representatives of the International Fellowship of Reconciliation (IFOR) are calling for a renewed vision of Europe based on a culture of peace, not military might.

At a meeting in Geneva, EUFOR, which represents the European branches of IFOR, stated that, to tackle 21st century challenges, a new way of working in Europe is needed, based on unity, solidarity and humanity.

EUFOR emphasized that European countries urgently need to recognize refugees and migrants as citizens; disarm and abolish nuclear weapons and arms trading;  and promote peace education, interfaith dialogue and social empowerment.

In a statement, EUFOR reflected that the European civil society has experienced, on many occasions, the power to transform conflicts with a firm stand for human rights, non-violence and human security.

“We want to build on this positive heritage and its values,” stated EUFOR. “Refugees and migrants are making a statement with their feet on failed policy. European efforts and resources should be spent on tackling the root causes, as well as accepting these people as citizens.”

Stating that Europe is in a “larger value crisis,” EUFOR added, “there is a further need to prioritize non-violent intervention in order to foster and create a Europe of solidarity.”

The International Fellowship of Reconciliation is a non-governmental organization founded in 1914 in response to the horrors of war in Europe. The first body was formed as a result of a pact made in August 1914 at the outbreak of the First World War by two Christians, Henry Hodgkin (an English Quaker) and Friedrich Siegmund-Schultze (a German Lutheran), who were participating in a Christian pacifist conference in southern Germany. On the platform of the railway station at Cologne, they pledged to each other that, "We are one in Christ and can never be at war". Today IFOR counts 72 branches, groups and affiliates in 48 countries on all continents. IFOR members promote non-violence, human rights and reconciliation through public education efforts, training programs and campaigns.

On 1 April, the leadership from IFOR visited the Ecumenical Centre and met with Marianne Ejdersten, World Council of Churches director of communication, and discussed the Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace.

International Fellowship of Reconciliation, news and updates

WCC Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace