Friends in interfaith dialogue on Ukraine
Fact-finding visit reported
The Quaker Council for European Affairs (QCEA) recently organised an interfaith lunch in Brussels to highlight the situation in Ukraine.
The discussion on Ukraine took place at Quaker House, Brussels, on 27 October. Mikhail Roshchin, clerk of Moscow Monthly Meeting, presented the findings of his most recent fact-finding visit to Crimea and eastern Ukraine.
Mikhail is a senior research fellow at the Russian Academy of Sciences, and a specialist on Islam and on the North Caucasus region. He spoke of his meetings with leading members of the Crimean Tatars, and the Ukrainian Orthodox, Lutheran and Pentecostal communities.
Eleven European-level faith representatives took part.
Andrew Lane, of QCEA explained: ‘Many faith groups work independently in Brussels to promote human rights. Working with development organisation World Vision, QCEA is creating a new space for faith-based organisations to meet and find opportunities to support each other’s work.’
The new QCEA peace programme lead Olivia Caeymaex will guide this new initiative.
