Tuesday, April 22, 2008

1. Week of Action on Peace in Israel & Palestine 4 - 10 June 2008

Two Invitations for Action in Peace

Week of Action on Peace in Israel & Palestine 4 - 10 June 2008

Global Week of Action Small Arms 2 – 9 June 2008


1. Week of Action on Peace in Israel & Palestine 4 - 10 June 2008

The International Church Action for Peace in Palestine and Israel is an annual Week of Action advocacy initiative, convened by the World Council of Churches and supported by Pax Christi International. In 2008, the Week of Action will take place from the 4th to the 10th of June, and the theme is “It’s Time for Palestine.”

The goal of the Week of Action is to raise awareness in churches and civil society, and to impress upon governments the need for new efforts to end the conflict and negotiate a settlement. Four types of actions will be developed: Pray, Educate, Advocate and Public Action. The Ecumenical Service with the Heads of Churches will take place on the 4th or the 8th of June in Jerusalem. Member organisations of Pax Christi International are invited to join the Week of Action and develop their own type of actions in collaboration with churches, church related organisations, religious communities or congregations, and with NGOs at the national and/or local level.

The following material is available and could be used at the national and local level:

1. Invitation to Action: Who, What, Why, How and When?

2. The message “It’s Time for Palestine”

3. The Jerusalem Prayer for Sunday, the 4th or 8th of June 2008

4. A liturgy from the Churches in Jerusalem.


Some of you have been asking what you can do. Please read more for ideas at http://www.oikoumene.org/en/events-sections/icappi-2008.html.
2. Global Week of Action Small Arms 2 – 9 June 2008


A key focus of IANSA, the International Action Network on Small Arms, of which Pax Christi International is a member, is the next UN Biennial Meeting of States on Small Arms (BMS), scheduled to take place in New York, from the 14th to the 18th of July 2008. Countries are expected to provide written reports to the UN on their efforts to reduce small arms proliferation, and in particular to outline challenges and gaps in capacity. Shortly before that, the Global Week of Action, from the 2nd to the 9th of June 2008, will help link the commitments at the regional and global level with actions by national governments. Member Organisations of Pax Christi International are invited to join these opportunities for global advocacy. More information is available on the website: www.iansa.org

Paul Lansu
Pax Christi International
Rue du Vieux Marché aux Grains 21
B-1000 Bruxelles
Belgium
Phone: +32 (0)2 502 55 50 fax: +32 (0)2 502 46 26

www.paxchristi.net