Dialogue with European Political Institutions
Dialogue seminar at the European Commission.
Dialogue and advocacy at the European level is an important part of the mission of the Conference of European Churches. Through our offices in Brussels and Strasbourg, we bring the concerns of our membership to the European Union and Council of Europe.
We follow and analyse the activity of European political institutions, work with our membership to develop Conference of European Churches positions on important issues, and provide opportunity for churches to engage directly with these bodies.
Open, regular, and transparent dialogue between churches and the European Union takes place according to Article 17 of the Treaty of the Functioning of the European Union. We often cooperate with the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE), the Churches’ Commission for Migrants in Europe (CCME), and others in our dialogue with the EU.
Our work in this area includes:
- Regular dialogue seminars with the European Commission
- Meetings with the presidency of the Council of the EU, involving our member churches at the national level
- High-level religious leaders’ meeting at the European Commission
- Ad-hoc meetings, workshops, and conferences with participation from church representatives and experts
- Contributions to public consultations organised by the European Union
Print This Page
Related posts
-
26 Jan, 2023
CEC highlights impact of war in Ukraine at high-level meeting of religious leaders at European Commission
CEC joined religious leaders at the European Commission on 27 January in Brussels to shed light on the impact of the war in Ukraine on the European way of life.
-
24 Jan, 2023
CEC contributes to European Parliament’s dialogue on liberal democracy
CEC was represented at the European Parliament's seminar on “Dialogue on Liberal Democracy” by Marietta D.C. van der Tol, who contributed her perspectives, highlighting the important role of churches and religion.
-
14 Dec, 2022
Pathways to Peace: CEC to implement peace initiatives in Europe
As part of CEC’s strategic framework, the Governing Board of the Conference of European Churches approved a plan titled “Pathways to Peace” to promote justice, reconciliation and peace, especially in the context of war in Ukraine. The plan will strengthen CEC’s role as a church-fellowship, engaging in dialogue with European institutions, raising a Christian voice to address crucial political concerns.
-
11 Dec, 2022
European church response to war in Ukraine highlighted at EPP Dialogue event
“We listened to Ukrainian voices. We analysed. We prayed together. We cried together. We activated our European fellowship of mutual encouragement,” said CEC General Secretary Dr Jørgen Skov Sørensen speaking at the EPP Working Group Intercultural and Religious Dialogue.
-
7 Dec, 2022
Czech EU Presidency: Ecumenical delegation meets with Czech Prime Minister Fiala
An ecumenical delegation with members from CEC and the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) met with Petr Fiala, Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, on 7 December 2022, to discuss efforts of the current EU Presidency in addressing some of the most pressing challenges the EU and its citizens are facing today
-
24 Oct, 2022
Czech EU Presidency: CEC and COMECE meet with Ambassador Edita Hrdá
CEC and COMECE met with Ambassador Edita Hrdá, Permanent Representative of the Czech Republic to the EU, on Monday 24 October 2022, to exchange on the implementation of the Czech EU Presidency’s priorities.
-
18 Oct, 2022
CEC’s role in European societies highlighted at church conference in Estonia
“Ecumenism is a necessary exercise of giving and taking, listening and talking. Churches of the ecumenical movement may with this exercise have a fundamental, unified message for our national and European decision-makers,” said Dr Jørgen Skov Sørensen, General Secretary of the Conference of European Churches (CEC) in his address at a conference organised by the Estonian churches.
-
30 Jun, 2022
CEC and COMECE presidents meet with EP President Metsola to discuss key European issues
H. Em. Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich SJ and Rev. Christian Krieger, presidents of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) and of the Conference of European Church (CEC) met with the President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola on Wednesday 29 June 2022 to discuss the final report of the Conference on the Future of Europe (CoFoE), as well the ongoing war in Ukraine and the implementation of the Article 17 Treaty on the Functioning of the EU (TFEU).
-
14 Jun, 2022
CEC to French EU Presidency: Engage churches to bring peace in Ukraine
In a hybrid meeting on 7 June in Brussels with the French Presidency of the Council of the EU, the Conference of European Churches (CEC) highlighted Ukrainian church voices, emphasising the need to strength engagement of local religious communities in realising peace in Ukraine.
-
27 Mar, 2022
Video messages from CEC General Secretary
To connect with CEC Member Churches across Europe, CEC general secretary Dr Jørgen Skov Sørensen brings highlights from significant CEC activities in a video update each month.