This week we launched the registration for our 2016 Annual General Meeting. This is no ordinary AGM but the one that will celebrate our 20th Anniversary. As much as we will take stock of what we achieved over the last 20 years, we will also look forward, thinking about what Europe needs from Diaconia given the social challenges we currently face. One of those challenges is how to be hospitable. Hospitality has been on the minds of many as we have seen the increasing number of people come to Europe for refuge over the past year. Our theological and ideological notions of hospitality have both been encouraged and challenged. Yet hospitality goes beyond welcoming the migrant and refugee. Hospitality is also about how we relate to each other in our local communities. Are we hospitable to the Roma community and other minorities? Are we hospitable to those who live daily with mental health challenges? Are we hospitable to those who experience poverty?
Europe is changing. Recent events have seen inhospitality in words and deeds. Our social protection systems seem to be increasingly inhospitable to those who are perceived as not contributing to economic growth. Europe is also more than the countries of the European Union – are we hospitable to our geographic neighbours?
For 20 years we believe that Diaconia has been hospitable, but being hospitable for the next 20 years may involve new ways of working, new organisations, new theological thinking and new partnerships.
Come join us in this conversation!
Have a good weekend,
Heather