Here's the current crowd of BVS volunteers in Europe, retreating near Bonn, Germany, last week. (Missing was Joe from L'Arche Kilkenny.)
15 August 2011
26 June 2011
Kirchentag in Dresden
Where your treasure is... "there will your heart be also" - the banner of two hands forming a heart welcomed the 120,000 registered participants of the biennial German Protestant church convention to Dresden for 5 days in early June. There were some 2300 events to choose from in a 630 page program book. These included worship services, bible studies, speeches, workshops, panels, exhibits, "marketplaces", films, musical concerts of every kind, and much more. Kirchentag is also a favorite event of German politicians and people in government who appear on panels, give speeches, dialogue and debate on current topics, both theological and political. Popular issues at this event ranged from the nuclear energy debate, German involvement in Afghanistan, Muslim integration in Germany, to more spiritual and theological topics.Highlights for me during the event included the first evening's "sea of lights" - the huge crowd holding candles on bridges and banks of the Elbe River and singing with a choir, the bible studies with Bärbel von Wartenberg-Potter and Margot Kässmann, panels discussions with the mufti of Sarajevo, panels on peace and security issues ("R2P"), one on "brother bull - sister chicken", the concert with Giora Feidman, and random encounters with other Kirchentag participants.
At the
"marketplace" I was able to visit with many of our BVS project partners in Germany. I also enjoyed spending time with the two current BVS volunteers in Germany,
Susan Pracht at Church and Peace (Laufdorf) and Kendra Johnson at Peace Brigades International (Hamburg).
One of the most amusing parts for me was randomly meeting other Kirchentag participants or passersby. I met so many strangers with whom I had surprising connections. One of the nicest encounters while waiting for a late tram was with a woman who turned out to be from a congregation in the regional church district of Westphalia. She wasn't as impressed by my mention that her church had apologized to the Brethren three years ago during our 300th anniversary (for persecutions way back then), but more by the fact that I'm married to Andreas. OH well. One of the funniest encounters was in the S-Bahn train back to my housing when three very inebriated German guys asked if I was at that "God thing." A nice conversation ensued.
Afterwards, I heard a German radio conmentary summarizing the Kirchentag and concluding that "it would be wishful thinking that the Dresdeners would get baptized in the Elbe River..." (Because only 20% of the locals belong to a church.) Later I read that the Lutheran bishop of Saxony said that "many citizens experienced the church in a very different way during these days than they expected. The Dresden Kirchentag strengthened us Christians, and to others it hopefully gave an insight into what a life with God means."
21 April 2011
New Project in France
Here's a new placement in France:
Esteville, France.
The Abbé Pierre Emmaüs Center seeks a Volunteer to play an active role primarily for the Abbé Pierre Emmaüs Museum (about solidarity, hunger and homelessness) which will open in July 2011, and secondly for the Accommodation Center for homeless people ("La Halte Emmaüs d'Esteville") which houses 30 persons. Duties include helping to improve our museum services such as visitors' reception, bookshop, etc. (these will comprise two-thirds of the volunteer's working time), as well as relating with the persons in difficulty we receive (workshops and other activities, perhaps teaching English), and assisting with domestic tasks (gardening, cooking, cleaning, or other tasks, according to his/her skills and interests). Requirements: communicative, basic-to-good level of French and willingness to learn more, independence, ability to work in a team, ability to see what needs to be done, willingness to take on responsibilities if needed. www.centre-abbe-pierre-museum.org
(If you'd like to see more information, please contact me at brethrenservice@worldcom.ch.)
Esteville, France.
The Abbé Pierre Emmaüs Center seeks a Volunteer to play an active role primarily for the Abbé Pierre Emmaüs Museum (about solidarity, hunger and homelessness) which will open in July 2011, and secondly for the Accommodation Center for homeless people ("La Halte Emmaüs d'Esteville") which houses 30 persons. Duties include helping to improve our museum services such as visitors' reception, bookshop, etc. (these will comprise two-thirds of the volunteer's working time), as well as relating with the persons in difficulty we receive (workshops and other activities, perhaps teaching English), and assisting with domestic tasks (gardening, cooking, cleaning, or other tasks, according to his/her skills and interests). Requirements: communicative, basic-to-good level of French and willingness to learn more, independence, ability to work in a team, ability to see what needs to be done, willingness to take on responsibilities if needed. www.centre-abbe-pierre-museum.org
(If you'd like to see more information, please contact me at brethrenservice@worldcom.ch.)
04 December 2010
Stan's LAST publication for IFOR
With great pleasure we introduce IFOR in ACTION #57, the Europe edition. This issue focuses on articles and reports from our membership in Europe...We start off with a great campaign against the use of drones by FoR England. Amy Hailwood writes on a recent workshop to combat a “A culture of convenient killing!” Next Irmgard Ehrenberger interviews Marion Hiptmair, a FOR Austria participant now working with the Peace Community of San José de Apartadó in Colombia, and you’ll certainly want to read IFOR’S WPP Consultation held 13-16 September 2010, Nicosia, Cyprus. Plus, find a report from FOR Italy and, not to leave out our BGAs from other regions, STAR on the floods in Pakistan.
IFOR in Action™ is now online! Simply visit the IFOR website to access all issues of this and many other IFOR publications.
30 November 2010
OKC Abrasevic video clip
This is a video that was produced in a youth video workshop in Abrasevic in May 2008, with the American NGO My Hero.
25 October 2010
2010 Retreat
Here's a sunny photo from our August European BVS retreat in Berlin - the tenth time we stayed at Haus Kreisau in Kladow.
30 August 2010
Volunteer Openings in the Balkans!
Here are our listings for the four openings we have in the Balkans - new volunteers are needed!
1102.1 Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina
Small Steps and MCC, two organizations in Sarajevo, would like to share a Volunteer.
The Association for Dialogue in Family and Society SMALL STEPS promotes peace and non-violence at all levels of society, is committed to gender equality and an interfaith vision of peace based on the history of diverse religious traditions and position of women in society in Bosnia-Herzegovina. SMALL STEPS works on raising awareness of women in peacebuilding activities, developing interfaith dialogue, gender equality, and promoting nonviolent actions through trainings, seminars, round tables, and publishing books. The volunteer consultant for project proposals would help analyze and consult about lists of possible donors and sponsors, writing proposals, contacting donors, and writing reports. Requirements: education in field of peacebuilding; experience in writing project proposals desired but not required if volunteer is willing to learn.
Priorities for the Mennonite Central Committee office for Southeast Europe are peace (interreligious bridgebuilding, trauma healing, peacebuilding), community development and social service (empowering local institutions for long term services), and relief (focus on vulnerable populations). The special projects assistant volunteer would first focus on language learning, then assist with office computer work and research for projects related to trauma healing, interfaith bridgebuilding, the NGO Council, and other English editing as needed. Other activities might include occasional trips or accompanying visitors, support for MCC partner organizations, and learning about peacebuilding methodologies. Requirements: strong leadership and managing skills, good computer and internet skills, interest in networking with other organizations and individuals.
Requirements for both: college degree, maturity, flexibility, communication and organizational skills, strong motivation to learn Bosnian/Serbian/Croatian language.
Additional Information, Small Steps (PDF)
Additional Information, Mennonite Central Committee (PDF)
http://www.seeurope.mcc.org/
http://www.malikoraci.com.ba/
1110. Mostar, Bosnia-Herzegovina
The Abrasevic Youth Cultural Center believes that positive change is possible in post-war Mostar, and therefore offers programs and resources to promote social change, and to develop civil society and a cultural scene in the city and region. OKC Abrasevic started in 2003 as a response to the need for an active and safe space which would offer youth (ages 15-35) the possibility for creative expression, cultural education, open-minded social discussion, analysis and critique. Activities include regular cultural events (films, concerts, exhibitions, performances), festivals, discussions, and ongoing reconstruction of the building and grounds. An International Volunteer would be welcome, ideally someone familiar with non-profit cultural management and relevant European/regional contacts (artists and funders)—how to bring concerts, films, performances, etc to the center and find funding to do so—or with knowledge of marketing to help OKC more effectively strategize and market their programming to reach a wider audience. Other needed skills: education and/or experience in the fields of finance/accounting, management, computer technology, cultural activities, fundraising, video, graphic design, IT/web maintenance. Requirements: Good communication and interpersonal skills, willingness to learn the local language, general computer skills, high level of autonomy/independence, flexibility, adaptability, patience, ability to work under stress as well as to enjoy relaxed social atmosphere.
Additional Information (PDF)
http://www.okcabrasevic.org/
1646. Prijedor, Bosnia-Herzegovina
Bread of Life, a Christian humanitarian association founded by Protestant churches in Serbia, with an office in northwest Bosnia-Herzegovina since 1996, originally provided food and material aid for the needs of refugees, displaced and marginalized persons, and is now developing programs to promote income-generation, long-term employment and self-sustainability of its beneficiaries. Some of these programs include a trial project of interest-free loans and other support to dairy farmers; an employment project of loans and support to young people involved in agriculture and crafts in a rural area; low-cost English and computer courses at an education center; annual distribution of Christmas presents to the area schoolchildren; and capacity building of the organization. Bread of Life seeks a Co-Worker/Assistant for Income-Generation Projects. Duties include assisting the director and program manager with writing and implementing income-generating projects, assistance with fund-raising for new projects, contact with new/existing donor organizations, and assistance with creation/development of new/existing capacities of the organization. Requirements preferred: experience in the NGO sector in a developing country or Eastern Europe; ability to adjust easily to new environments and cultures; expertise in fields of economics or agriculture. Willingness to learn the local language.
Additional Information (PDF)
http://www.breadoflifesite.com/
1101.3 Sesvete/Zagreb, Croatia
RAND (Regional Address for Nonviolent Action) is a small organization which promotes nonviolence as a lifestyle and a way of relating, through training courses and networking. RAND considers nonviolence an important tool of resistance to passive acceptance of inequity in communities as well as to military and violent conflicts. RAND tries to weave together spirituality, societal involvement, and continuous learning. An International Volunteer is invited to join our work especially for the areas of public relations support and press work, creating promotional and information materials, as well as with fundraising development. The volunteer can also accompany us to our trainings in the various Balkan countries and can take part in the informal aspects of the gatherings, possibly to interview the participants. Requirements: Experience or training in areas of public relations work and/or fundraising development. Motivation to promote nonviolence; knowledge about topics such as structural violence and nonviolent resistance and willingness to share; interest in interfaith dialogue. If the volunteer comes from a peace church background, we would appreciate willingness to share that history/theological background. Knowledge of Croatian language or willingness to learn quickly; knowledge of German language would be very helpful. Flexibility and adaptability to cultural differences and irregular working hours.
Additional Information (PDF)
http://www.rand.hr/
1102.1 Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina
Small Steps and MCC, two organizations in Sarajevo, would like to share a Volunteer.
The Association for Dialogue in Family and Society SMALL STEPS promotes peace and non-violence at all levels of society, is committed to gender equality and an interfaith vision of peace based on the history of diverse religious traditions and position of women in society in Bosnia-Herzegovina. SMALL STEPS works on raising awareness of women in peacebuilding activities, developing interfaith dialogue, gender equality, and promoting nonviolent actions through trainings, seminars, round tables, and publishing books. The volunteer consultant for project proposals would help analyze and consult about lists of possible donors and sponsors, writing proposals, contacting donors, and writing reports. Requirements: education in field of peacebuilding; experience in writing project proposals desired but not required if volunteer is willing to learn.
Priorities for the Mennonite Central Committee office for Southeast Europe are peace (interreligious bridgebuilding, trauma healing, peacebuilding), community development and social service (empowering local institutions for long term services), and relief (focus on vulnerable populations). The special projects assistant volunteer would first focus on language learning, then assist with office computer work and research for projects related to trauma healing, interfaith bridgebuilding, the NGO Council, and other English editing as needed. Other activities might include occasional trips or accompanying visitors, support for MCC partner organizations, and learning about peacebuilding methodologies. Requirements: strong leadership and managing skills, good computer and internet skills, interest in networking with other organizations and individuals.
Requirements for both: college degree, maturity, flexibility, communication and organizational skills, strong motivation to learn Bosnian/Serbian/Croatian language.
Additional Information, Small Steps (PDF)
Additional Information, Mennonite Central Committee (PDF)
http://www.seeurope.mcc.org/
http://www.malikoraci.com.ba/
1110. Mostar, Bosnia-Herzegovina
The Abrasevic Youth Cultural Center believes that positive change is possible in post-war Mostar, and therefore offers programs and resources to promote social change, and to develop civil society and a cultural scene in the city and region. OKC Abrasevic started in 2003 as a response to the need for an active and safe space which would offer youth (ages 15-35) the possibility for creative expression, cultural education, open-minded social discussion, analysis and critique. Activities include regular cultural events (films, concerts, exhibitions, performances), festivals, discussions, and ongoing reconstruction of the building and grounds. An International Volunteer would be welcome, ideally someone familiar with non-profit cultural management and relevant European/regional contacts (artists and funders)—how to bring concerts, films, performances, etc to the center and find funding to do so—or with knowledge of marketing to help OKC more effectively strategize and market their programming to reach a wider audience. Other needed skills: education and/or experience in the fields of finance/accounting, management, computer technology, cultural activities, fundraising, video, graphic design, IT/web maintenance. Requirements: Good communication and interpersonal skills, willingness to learn the local language, general computer skills, high level of autonomy/independence, flexibility, adaptability, patience, ability to work under stress as well as to enjoy relaxed social atmosphere.
Additional Information (PDF)
http://www.okcabrasevic.org/
1646. Prijedor, Bosnia-Herzegovina
Bread of Life, a Christian humanitarian association founded by Protestant churches in Serbia, with an office in northwest Bosnia-Herzegovina since 1996, originally provided food and material aid for the needs of refugees, displaced and marginalized persons, and is now developing programs to promote income-generation, long-term employment and self-sustainability of its beneficiaries. Some of these programs include a trial project of interest-free loans and other support to dairy farmers; an employment project of loans and support to young people involved in agriculture and crafts in a rural area; low-cost English and computer courses at an education center; annual distribution of Christmas presents to the area schoolchildren; and capacity building of the organization. Bread of Life seeks a Co-Worker/Assistant for Income-Generation Projects. Duties include assisting the director and program manager with writing and implementing income-generating projects, assistance with fund-raising for new projects, contact with new/existing donor organizations, and assistance with creation/development of new/existing capacities of the organization. Requirements preferred: experience in the NGO sector in a developing country or Eastern Europe; ability to adjust easily to new environments and cultures; expertise in fields of economics or agriculture. Willingness to learn the local language.
Additional Information (PDF)
http://www.breadoflifesite.com/
1101.3 Sesvete/Zagreb, Croatia
RAND (Regional Address for Nonviolent Action) is a small organization which promotes nonviolence as a lifestyle and a way of relating, through training courses and networking. RAND considers nonviolence an important tool of resistance to passive acceptance of inequity in communities as well as to military and violent conflicts. RAND tries to weave together spirituality, societal involvement, and continuous learning. An International Volunteer is invited to join our work especially for the areas of public relations support and press work, creating promotional and information materials, as well as with fundraising development. The volunteer can also accompany us to our trainings in the various Balkan countries and can take part in the informal aspects of the gatherings, possibly to interview the participants. Requirements: Experience or training in areas of public relations work and/or fundraising development. Motivation to promote nonviolence; knowledge about topics such as structural violence and nonviolent resistance and willingness to share; interest in interfaith dialogue. If the volunteer comes from a peace church background, we would appreciate willingness to share that history/theological background. Knowledge of Croatian language or willingness to learn quickly; knowledge of German language would be very helpful. Flexibility and adaptability to cultural differences and irregular working hours.
Additional Information (PDF)
http://www.rand.hr/
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