Category Archives: Policy Areas

NEWS

Extractives in Latin America in debate at COMECE

In cooperation with Pax Christi International and CIDSE, COMECE organised a panel discussion on the challenges posed by the extractive industries in Latin America. Grassroots actors and policy-makers exchanged on challenges and perspectives at different levels. The panel hosted by COMECE included Mikeas Sánchez Gomez, a representative of the indigenous Zoque community from Chiapas (Mexico), Martha Ines Romero, Pax Christi Coordinator for Latin American and … Continue reading »

NEWS

World Day for Decent Work: standing up for fair labour conditions

The World Day for Decent Work (7 October) reminded to all of us to stand up and advocate for fair labour conditions centred around the principles of freedom, equity, security and human dignity. “The situation of youth unemployment, and that of so many who have lost their job and are unable to reinsert themselves, are realities we cannot grow used to, treating them as if … Continue reading »

NEWS

Article 17, EU Commission appoints new Dialogue Coordinator

COMECE welcomes the appointment by the European Commission of new Article 17 TFEU Dialogue Coordinator, Vincent Depaigne, and is looking forward to strengthening the Dialogue with the EU institutions in a creative manner. Vincent Depaigne has been appointed as new Coordinator for the Dialogue with churches, religious associations or communities as well as philosophical and non-confessional organisations. The renewed distinction of this position from other … Continue reading »

Press Release

Brexit: UK is leaving the EU but not leaving Europe

COMECE welcomed a delegation from the Department of International Affairs of the Bishops’ Conferences of England and Wales. The group of bishops visited COMECE headquarter in Brussels in order to learn more about its activity with the EU institutions. The delegation also met with representatives from European Union institutions. Bishops visit European Union to deepen links with the Church in Europe. Bishops from England and … Continue reading »

NEWS

COMECE participates to expert meeting on religion and human rights

The EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) seems to be willing to mark a new openness to Churches and religious communities, as a wide-ranging expert meeting was organised on the nexus between religion and human rights. The event, held in Vienna on 12-13 September 2017, highlighted the past and present, paramount contribution of Churches and religious communities in the area of fundamental rights. COMECE was … Continue reading »

NEWS

EU-Africa partnership, COMECE gathers religious actors and policy-makers

COMECE and Caritas Europa hosted a dialogue meeting with faith-based actors and policy-makers in preparation of the 5th EU-Africa Summit that will take place in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, in November 2017. Stakeholders from the United Nations, African Union, European External Action Service, European Parliament, European Commission, as well as the Estonian Council Presidency and faith-based actors from the field, discussed three key policy areas: Youth, … Continue reading »

NEWS

Future of Europe: COMECE and citizens promoting the common good

With (Re)thinking Europe approaching, COMECE exchanged ideas on the future of Europe and its underlying principles with an international seminar group discussing the role of religious and faith-based institutions in EU politics. Organised by the Catholic Social Academy in Austria (KSÖ), the exchange took place on the 15 September and highlighted the connection between the future of Europe and the activity of people working on … Continue reading »

NEWS

EU funds: Churches are eligible actors

The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) is expected to adopt an opinion that might answer to some of the concerns raised up by Churches and civil society organisations on the topic of access to EU Funding. Complex administrative procedures, language barriers, short time-frames, cash-flow problems, as well as the difficulty for funding small-medium projects, are some of the issues that the non-binding EESC document … Continue reading »

NEWS

COMECE debated on shrinking civic space

COMECE hosted a meeting with NGOs representatives and faith-based actors to discuss the issue of shrinking space for civil society. The participants reflected on how European policy-makers could contribute to fostering civic space. Civil society actors involved in providing basic services in various areas – such as healthcare, education, development, democracy promotion, good governance and the rule of law – shared experiences concerning shrinking space. … Continue reading »