It’s ‘Back to School’ for LWF’s Vocational Trainees

September 11, 2009

A new school year has begun for the two vocational training centers in LWF’s Vocational Training Program (VTP). Over 300 Palestinian youth are part of the program.

The LWF center in Beit Hanina, a neighborhood local to Jerusalem, has 247 trainees this term, seven of whom are women. The Beit Hanina center will be incorporating an apprenticeship program into its training scheme. This program will increase the cooperation between the students and the local market, thereby increasing a student’s employment opportunities after graduation.

The LWF center in the West Bank city of Ramallah has 64 trainees this term, eight of whom are women. The first three to four months of the term, students will be in the classroom learning theory and methodology. In the winter they will start apprenticeships at local businesses.

Students in the LWF VTP study in the fields of carpentry, aluminum, metalwork, auto-mechanics, auto-electronics, telecommunications, and plumbing and central heating.

The LWF VTP has provided vocational training to Palestinian youth since 1949. The VTP continues to provide quality training and to promote the human right of access to education for hundreds of Palestinian youth every year.

LWF Department for World Service Releases 2008 Annual Report

June 22, 2009

2008 Department for World Service Global Report

2008 Department for World Service Global Report

The LWF Department for World Service Annual Report covers the main programmatic activities carried out by World Service in 2008. It also includes general information related to the organizational priorities as described in the DWS Global strategy.

View full text of 2008 LWF-DWS Global Report »

ELCA Presiding Bishop Welcomes President’s Remarks on U.S.-Muslim Relations

June 11, 2009

ELCA NEWS SERVICE
June 4, 2009

CHICAGO (ELCA) — U.S. President Barack Obama “extended an invitation to a different way of living together in the world,” said the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), in response to the president’s long-awaited speech June 4 in Cairo, Egypt on U.S.-Muslim relations.

Obama said he came to Cairo to “seek a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world,” based on mutual interest and respect.

In an interview with the ELCA News Service, Hanson said the speech may be “historic, not for its words but for how those words become foundational for us to live together in a world that has too often turned differences into grounds for domination rather than reason for reconciliation.”

Hanson was appointed recently to a White House task force on interreligious dialogue and cooperation, through the Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. He is also president of the Lutheran World Federation, based in Geneva.

He said the content of Obama’s speech affirms the ELCA’s commitment to interfaith dialogue and is consistent with the church’s “Peace Not Walls” campaign for a just peace between Israelis and Palestinians. The president’s remarks also relate to subjects Hanson discussed with Jordan’s King Abdullah II in two meetings earlier this year: preserving Palestinian Christianity, the concept of Jerusalem as a “shared city” and the deepening of Muslim-Christian relations.

In his speech, Obama said he is a Christian but his father came from a Kenyan family that includes generations of Muslims. The president said he is familiar with Islam.

“I consider it part of my responsibility as president of the United States to fight against negative stereotypes of Islam where they appear,” Obama said, adding that the same principle must apply to Muslim perceptions of America. “Just as Muslims do not fit a crude stereotype, America is not the crude stereotype of a self-interested empire,” he said.

Obama addressed specific issues to Muslims in his remarks: violent extremism in all forms, the situation among Israelis, Palestinians and the Arab world, responsibilities of nations on nuclear weapons, democracy, religious freedom, women’s rights, and economic development and opportunity.

“His (Obama’s) tone was calm, and he exemplified what he called for — calm, thoughtful, reasoned response to potentially explosive issues,” Hanson said. The bishop noted the president’s acknowledgement of the difficulty Palestinians — including Palestinian Christians — face because of the Israeli occupation. He said Obama challenged those who deny the Holocaust and called for Hamas to recognize Israel.

In response to Obama’s speech, Hanson suggested Lutherans engage locally in interfaith dialogue and cooperative responses to human needs, learn more about people of other faiths, and hold the government accountable through advocacy for peace with justice in the Holy Land.

Hanson joined a diverse group of 50 religious leaders in a June 4 letter Obama to continue to make Israeli-Palestinian peace a top priority of his administration. The leaders also expressed serious concern over the “deteriorating situation in the Holy Land” and urged the Obama administration to make real and concrete progress in achieving a “just peace” between Israel and the Palestinians.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org

http://www.elca.org/news

ELCA News Blog: http://www.elca.org/news/blog

Original Text

Anniversary Celebrations Mark Lutheran Church Witness in Holy Land

May 27, 2009

View Original Text »

“Living Witness – Creative Diakonia” was the theme of festive gatherings, worship, parades, dances, exhibitions and many other activities, marking three important anniversaries of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL) from 16-17 May 2009.

ELCJHL Bishop Dr Munib A. Younan described the anniversary celebrations—50 years of the ELCJHL, 30 years of its Arabic bishopric, and 170 years of evangelical mission in the Holy Land—as a morale boost for church members and for Arab Palestinian Christianity.

“We were thankful that local and international society could appreciate the work of this church and tell us, ‘Go forward in what you are doing.’ We are thankful for those who worked before us and handed us what they have received,” said Younan. “But at the same time, we want to ask our people to continue in this line of serving, because being loyal to our Christian witness, our Christian call and apostolic vocation is in continuity with Christ’s call at the ascension, ‘Go to the whole world.’”

In his congratulatory message, Rev. Dr Ishmael Noko, general secretary of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) said the ELCJHL was an “integral part of the mother church in Jerusalem; part of an unbroken history of Christian witness and ministry in the Holy Land since the days of Christ’s life on earth.” He noted the anniversary was also an occasion to celebrate the church’s commitment to interfaith dialogue and cooperation and the search for peace in the region and globally.

Younan, LWF vice president for the Asian region, noted the days around the celebration coincided with the visit of the head of the Roman Catholic Church Pope Benedict XVI to the region. “We are very happy, after the visit of the pope, to show that there is a witnessing evangelical Lutheran community that is an integral part of the Christian community in Palestine-Israel, Jordan and the Middle East,” added the ELCJHL bishop.

The ELCJHL currently has some 3,000 members. It joined the LWF in 1974. (342 words)

LWF Jerusalem Publishes 2008 Annual Report

April 24, 2009

2008 Annual Report

The LWF Jerusalem Annual Report covers the main programmatic activities carried out byLWF Jerusalem Program in 2008.

View full text of 2008 LWF-Jerusalem Annual Report »

Statement by Rev. Dr Ishmael Noko, General Secretary, on the conflict in the Gaza Strip

January 6, 2009

GENEVA, 6 January 2009 (LWI) – The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) reiterates its commitment to a vision of peace for both Israelis and Palestinians, urging an immediate cessation of both Israeli military operations on Gaza and Hamas missile attacks on southern Israel, and the swift establishment of a workable ceasefire agreement.

In a statement released today, LWF General Secretary Rev. Dr Ishmael Noko says, “The present bloodshed and destruction will not secure peace for either Israelis or Palestinians. It will only plant the seeds for more conflict, marginalizing the peacemakers, breeding despair, promoting radicalization and strengthening the appeal of violence.”

Reports citing local medical sources put the Palestinian death toll at more than 550 and nearly 3,000 civilian injuries, since Israel launched its 27 December operation on Gaza, including ground assaults since 3 January, aimed at stopping Hamas militants from firing rockets and mortars into southern Israel. Hamas says it has killed five Israelis by rocket fire and in combat.

Pointing to the impact of the Israeli siege on the entire civilian population of Gaza during the six-month ceasefire, Noko notes the blockade “imposed severe suffering on the entire civilian population of Gaza, fostering despair and rage rather than promoting an atmosphere for negotiations and peace.” He adds however, that attacks by Hamas and other militant organizations “are condemned by the LWF as an unacceptable response threatening the lives of another civilian population.” Equally, while Israel has an obligation to protect its people and territory, its current military operations “are disproportionate to the actual threat and have resulted in an intolerable number of civilian deaths and injuries.”

The general secretary expresses grave concern for the critical humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, urging the Israeli government to ensure full humanitarian access to the people compelled to survive this conflict “without electricity, medical supplies, or sufficient food or water.”

Citing the LWF’s long-standing support to its member church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL) in various activities fostering the establishment of peace with justice in the Holy Land, Noko insists the root cause of the Middle East conflict must be addressed. “The interpretation of God’s promise to Abraham and differing understandings of who may rightfully claim his legacy, which lie at the very heart of this conflict, can only be resolved by dialogue and reconciliation among all his children,” he says.

He criticizes both parties’ short-sighted focus on political gains through “displays of armed power,” rather than on the “difficult search for peace,” saying this approach was a betrayal of the Israeli and Palestinian “peoples’ hopes for a peaceful future.”

Noko released his statement as a delegation of bishops from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, led by LWF President Bishop Mark S. Hanson, proceeded with their visits with Israeli, Jordanian and Palestinian religious, community and political leaders under an annual event hosted by the ELCJHL. (See separate story at: www.lutheranworld.org/News/LWI/EN/2317.EN.html)

He appeals to all LWF member churches to pray for peace, advocate for justice, and convey these concerns to political leaders. “Without a just peace in the Holy Land, there can be no true or sustainable peace for any of us,” Noko concludes. (558 words)

Merry Christmas from the LWF Jerusalem Program

December 25, 2008

LWF Consultation on Peace and Human Rights in a Multifaith Context

June 20, 2008

View Original Text »

LWF Consultation on Peace and Human Rights in a Multifaith Context

JERUSALEM/GENEVA, 20 June 2008 (LWI) – Participants in a Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Department for World Service (DWS) regional consultation for Asia, Europe and the Middle East singled out human rights’ promotion and protection, greater interfaith understanding, and tolerance as crucial components of the LWF’s relief and development work.

Raising awareness among staff, primary focus groups and duty bearers about the need to integrate a rights-based approach into all relief and development plans and work was identified as an important task. The 30 participants in the 31 March–4 April meeting at the LWF-run Augusta Victoria Hospital (AVH) on the Mount of Olives in East Jerusalem, stressed the need to empower vulnerable and marginalized rights holders to assert their rights.

“Peace and Human Rights in a Multifaith Context,” was the theme of the consultation, attended by representatives of LWF/DWS country programs in the Balkans, Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Jerusalem and Nepal, and LWF staff persons from the Geneva secretariat and representatives from partner organizations in Canada, Finland and Sweden.

Mr Rudelmar Bueno de Faria, DWS program coordinator said the regional gathering offered opportunities for intensive experience-sharing among the participants. Advocacy for and protection of human rights are crucial for promoting peace and justice in a dignified way, he said.

As a faith-based organization, DWS should speak out openly and advocate justice and dignity using a rights-based approach throughout its work, Bueno de Faria explained. “The situation is quite complex, but it does not require a complex response, if churches and faith-based organizations commit themselves to foster interfaith understanding and tolerance,” he noted.

During discussion, participants noted that fostering interfaith understanding and tolerance called for awareness raising and education among church leaders and other workers on the nature of diakonia, as well as developing user-friendly information, education and communication materials. This should include communicating basic information abut world religions and various approaches to diaconal work. They pointed to the need to create opportunities for members of different faiths and interest groups to become mutually acquainted and engage in common action.

The implementation of joint programs and projects that bring different faith communities together in a non-religious setting could contribute substantially to better understanding and tolerance, participants at the meeting agreed. Sensitivity to local conditions and contexts was cited as important, in ensuring the sustainability of joint projects and preventing conflict between faith groups.

Education

Mr Anoj Chhetri, DWS Nepal program coordinator, spoke about awareness raising and advocacy in a country in which the LWF program has been supporting Bhutanese refugees and other marginalized and disadvantaged populations for 17 years. Ordinary people, in particular, are totally unaware of their rights. Hence, a central concern of the program is educating people with regard to exercising and defending their rights, he said.

Dr Inn Sam, DWS Cambodia deputy representative, said supporting local communities in asserting their rights is a priority for the LWF program. He pointed out the need to emphasize government accountability regarding human rights respect and protection as provided for in international treaties. Raising people’s awareness requires considerable education. “Some people are powerful, others are powerless. We try to empower the powerless,” said Ms Vuthy Chhuon, the program’s human resource manager. “Greater commitment is needed, especially with regard to interfaith conflicts, if conflicting parties are to be brought to the dialogue table and greater mutual understanding is to be achieved,” she added.

Adverse Human Rights Situation

The current conflict between Israel and Palestinian territories held the center stage during the meeting in Jerusalem. Israeli and Palestinian participants reported on the consequences of the extension of Jewish settlements, as well as the construction of security infrastructures and walls separating Israel and the Palestinian territories and the resulting impact on the daily lives of Palestinians.

Ms Randa Siniora, director general of the Palestinian Independent Commission for Citizen’s Rights (PICCR), said the human rights situation in the West Bank and Gaza Strip had become more critical at all levels. Each month dozens of Palestinians lose their lives as the result of Israeli reprisal attacks in response to rocket fire from Palestinian territories. In addition, conflict between Hamas and Fatah are making her organization’s efforts increasingly difficult. This concerns both visits to prisoners and training and capacity-building programs.

Bishop Dr Munib A. Younan of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL) denounced as scandalous the fact that world political leaders have allowed the Palestinian people to live in refugee camps for 60 years. Without justice, relief work and development aid are merely inflated words, said Younan, who is LWF Vice-President for the Asian region. He noted the LWF wants justice and seeks to empower the weak and refugees.
The struggle by the Palestinian people to obtain their rights must be non-violent, the Lutheran bishop said. It is a sin to kill another Palestinian; it is a sin to kill anybody.

Younan expressed his conviction that peace was possible. He said when he mentions the two-state solution along the pre-1967 borders, he also affirms Israel’s right to exist. But this also implied that natural resources such as water and land must be shared equitably. He however, sees the Jewish settlements as a major stumbling block, saying the settlement policy must end and settlements beyond the 1967 borders must be dismantled. This, together with the partitioning of Jerusalem, is an absolute precondition for an enduring peace.

The world community must recognize that Palestinians have been the victims of injustice, Bishop Younan concluded. (923 words)

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »