church and public issues
european elections 2009
European Parliament Elections took place across the European Union between 4th and 7th June 2009. In the UK the elections took place on 4th June. The Conference of European Churches (CEC) produced a guidance booklet European Parliament Elections - Guide for Churches and Christian organisations in the European Union (PDF) 
.
Concerned by low voter involvement in past European elections, the Church and Society Commission of CEC, along with the Churches' Commission for Migrants in Europe (CCME) and ecumenical organizations Aprodev and Eurodiaconia, produced an information campaign about the 2009 European Parliament elections. This included a leaflet, a dedicated website and election-related activities throughout Europe.
A press release, 'Ecumenical groups set priorities for June 2009 European elections' , gave more information and drew attention to four priority policy areas:
- Climate change and the environment
- Migration and refugee protection
- Poverty and social exclusion
- Peace and development
General information is at the UK Office of the European Parliament .
Hustings and local events guide (PDF) produced by BOND (British Overseas NGOs for Development) a UK body for NGOs working in international development.
Initiative Of Christians For Europe called upon all citizens of Europe to become responsibly involved in the European democratic debate and to participate in the European Parliament elections.
The Bishops of COMECE also issued a declaration Building a Better European Home (PDF) in respect of the European elections, in which they call on all EU citizens, especially Christians, to exercise their responsibility as voters.
The Quaker Council for European Affairs (QCEA) issued some useful briefing papers .
News release from the Methodist Church - Churches urged to take action ahead of European elections .
Faith Leaders Call on Electorate to Vote and Reaffirm a Welcoming Wales
Statement from Church leaders: vote, vote positively
Joint Statement from the Archbishop of York and Archbishop of Canterbury
Vote2009.eu is a website about the elections from CARE (Christian Action, Research and Education), containing a lot of general information and useful links.
Elections 2009 (PDF) is a briefing Paper, covering both European and Local Elections, from the Joint Public Issues Team of the Methodist, Baptist and United Reformed Churches.
Extremism
In October 2007, the Churches' Racial Justice Network produced a leaflet Racial Justice and the Ballot Box. This includes statements made by many Christian denominations in Britain and Ireland about racist politics, a list of discussion questions to help Christian congregations unravel the issues relating to far-right political parties and a list of further resources.
More resources on tackling political extremism from the Methodist Church.
A toolkit (PDF) on countering political extremism for local churches from the Joint Public Issues Team of the Methodist, Baptist and United Reformed Churches.
Methodist Church Guidelines (PDF)
Baptist Union of Great Britain Guidelines (PDF)
