Switzerland - The Graduate Institute, Geneva

CONFERENCE OF EUROPEAN CHURCHES, CEC
Address
CEC Office, PO Box 2100, 150, route de Ferney, CH-
1211 Geneva 2
Phone
+41 (0)22 791 64 85
Or +41 (0)22 791 63 25
Fax +41 (0)22 791 62 27
Web
www.cec-kek.org
E-Mail info@cec-kek.org
Category Dialogue
MISSION STATEMENT
Christians from different confessions are committed to live and witness together in a spirit of ecumenism, sharing, understanding and
mutual respect. All are committed in spite of the historic divides, the many languages and the geographical and economic barriers
which exist on the European continent. Together, the churches work to promote the unity of the church and to present a common
Christian witness to the people and institutions of Europe. The common desire to live in peace and to promote justice and reconciliation
has enabled the churches to maintain their fellowship for the 45 years of the CEC's existence.
Founding year 1959
BACKGROUND AND ACTIVITIES
The Conference of European Churches (CEC) is a fellowship of some 125 Orthodox, Protestant, Anglican and Old Catholic Churches
from all countries of Europe, plus 40 associated organisations. CEC was founded in 1959. It has offices in Geneva, Brussels and
Strasbourg.
In 2001, CEC and CCEE signed the "Charta Oecumenica - Guidelines for the Growing Cooperation among the Churches in Europe." CEC
is dealing with theological dialogue through its "Churches in Dialogue" Commission.
The social and political women's agenda in Europe, as well as the changing identity of women as self-responsible for their lives and as
professional partners in church and society, leads CEC's work on to focus on theologically challenges from women's and gender
perspectives.
A special cooperation exists between CEC and the Brussels-based Churches' Commission for Migrants in Europe (CCME). Another area
of work which reflects the concern of Europe's churches is that which is carried out jointly with the Roman Catholic Council of European
Bishops' Conferences (CCEE) on relations with Islam in Europe. Further contemporary concerns of CEC include the challenge of
churches in the new information society, and how to ensure the participation of youth in active ecumenical work.
The Church and Society Commission committed itself to enhance its work in relation to peace, security and reconciliation; in relation to
the European institutions on the one hand and in supporting a strengthened witness of the churches on the other. The main emphasis
of the Church and Society Commission work programme in this field will be to reflect on the relationship of security and vulnerability
from a faith perspective, to promote conflict prevention and non-violent forms of conflict management in relation to the European
Institutions, and to support existing (church-related) networks in their efforts to capacity building and promoting a regional approach.