It goes without saying that the work of Eurodiaconia has been encompassed by a great deal of sadness over the week, in light of the deplorable terror attacks in Paris on Friday 13 November. Our thoughts and prays are with those who have lost their lives, their families and with the French people who is once again facing shocking and disgraceful acts of terror and extremism.
We genuinely believe that we need to come together, act together and engage in extensive reflection and analysis to fight this growing threat of radicalisation and extremism. In this respect, it is appropriate to remember the words of Archbishop Desmond Tutu: “If you want peace, you don’t talk to your friends. You talk to your enemies’’.
Promoting an articulated approach to integration in Europe by strengthening the link between social inclusion and anti-poverty strategies has become more urgent than ever. Eurodiaconia, through its work, supports and complements its members’ efforts to build cohesive societies throughout Europe and considers them central in facing and preventing radicalisation in our cities.
In this challenge, our members across Europe are offering a route out of poverty and exclusion to many disadvantaged social groups, providing excellent social services to enable people to integrate or reintegrate into society and to access and retain employment.
In today’s Europe, investing in social inclusion in our local communities means improving the terms for individuals and minorities to take part in society and ensuring – despite all extremisms – that all people have a voice in decisions which affect their lives and that they enjoy equal access to services and socio-political space.
We are not living indeed under normal circumstances, but we must keep working in the knowledge that we are contributing to a fairer and more peaceful society.
Have a good weekend,
Eurodiaconia Secretariat