Tag: njpn

NJPN Conference 2025: Report by Alannah Travers

Panel with Bokani Tzidzu, Sr Katrina Alton CSJP, Andrew Jackson, George White and James Trewby

A little over a month ago, representatives from the Westminster Justice and Peace Commission attended the annual National Justice and Peace Network (NJPN) Conference, 25-27 July 2025, at The Hayes Conference Centre, Swanwick, Derbyshire. Two young adults from the Diocese received sponsored places to attend the Conference and recorded their impressions of the event.

The first report is by Alannah Travers, a postgraduate student at SOAS University

NJPN Conference 2025: Towards a Just Peace and challenging the inevitability of violence

   I was delighted to attend the 2025 National Justice and Peace Network (NJPN) Conference, held from 25–27 July at The Hayes Conference Centre, Derbyshire. This year’s theme, “Towards a Just Peace: Challenging the Inevitability of Violence”, deeply connected with my own postgraduate research at SOAS University of London, where I study international humanitarian and human rights law with a focus on justice and accountability in post-conflict societies.

   My place at the conference was generously funded through the Westminster Justice and Peace Commission’s initiative offering free places to young adults aged 18–35. I learned about the opportunity from Father Oscar Ardila, Catholic Chaplain at SOAS, whose encouragement I remain grateful for. As someone long interested in the intersection of peace, justice, and international law – especially in contexts such as Iraq – I was drawn to the conference’s commitment to confronting structures of violence and reimagining what peace might look like.

   Throughout the weekend, I joined over 160 participants, including representatives from 17 dioceses, religious orders, Catholic agencies, and peace organisations, engaged in dialogue, worship, workshops, and collective action. Saturday’s powerful panel chaired by James Trewby (Columbans), with speakers including Andrew Jackson (Pax Christi) and Bokani Tshidzu (Operation Noah) challenged us to link spiritual non-violence to climate justice and community activism. The call to confront racialised climate injustice stood out as particularly urgent.

   Another highlight was the contribution of Dr Joanna Frew from Rethinking Security, whom I have had the privilege of learning from in the past. I was grateful to attend her workshop, “A Just Peace After Empire?” held in a personal capacity. On Sunday she spoke on redefining “security” through cooperation, sustainability, and care, insisting that there is no security without a viable planet. As a Genocide is being committed in Gaza, Dr Frew’s call to move away from militarised logics of safety towards Gospel-rooted visions of peace felt especially timely this weekend.

   The collective action component of the conference was also appreciated. Participants gathered for a symbolic “Red Line for Gaza” protest, condemning the systematic targeting and starvation of Palestinian civilians and calling on world leaders to uphold international law and human dignity. The visual display of solidarity, alongside prayers, petitions, and personal testimonies, demonstrated many participants’ holistic and spiritual approach to peace-making.

   The weekend ended with an invitation to live out this year’s Jubilee theme as “pilgrims of hope.” I left feeling spiritually and intellectually renewed, grateful for the community of justice-seekers and the opportunity to reflect deeply on how I might integrate these values into both my academic work and wider life. I want to extend my sincere thanks to the Westminster Justice and Peace Commission, the NJPN team, and Father Oscar for supporting my participation. 

Alannah Travers

Two Free Places at the NJPN Conference, 25-27 July 2025, for Young Adults (18-35)

Westminster Justice & Peace has two fully-funded free places to offer to young adults (18-35) at the forthcoming National Justice and Peace Network Conference, 25-27 July 2025.

In return, we invite you to help as a volunteer at the event with tasks such as running our stall at the Just Fair, stewarding or helping with music and liturgy.

The Conference is being held at the beautiful Hayes Conference Centre, Swanwick, Derbyshire, DE55 1AU

All expenses will be covered including conference fees, accommodation, meals and travel.

Applicants must live, work or worship within the Diocese of Westminster.

To apply – please send a short message to the Co-ordinator, Colette Joyce, giving your name, address, phone number and email address and a brief description of why you are interested in this opportunity. Short-listed applicants will be invited to an online interview. Email: colettejoyce@rcdow.org.uk

Closing Date: 2 July 2025

CONFERENCE INFORMATION

“War is a defeat for everyone” – Words of Pope Francis, quoted by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re at His Holiness’ Requiem Mass on 26 April 2025.

“Peace be with all of you!” – The first words of Pope Leo XIV as he appeared on the balcony of St Peter’s in Rome having been just elected by the Conclave on 8 May 2025.

In this Jubilee Year, at a time of transition for the global Catholic community and great upheaval for the world, the National Justice and Peace Network invites you to our annual conference: ‘Towards a Just Peace – Challenging the Inevitability of Violence’

The weekend provides opportunities for networking and prayer with Catholics and others from across the country who share an interest in world peace and the promotion of social justice. There will be talks, workshops, prayer, a Just Fair with stalls from many different charities and organisations, and time for socialising.

Speakers this year include Dr Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury, who will address the theme, and Dr Joanna Frew of Rethinking Security, who will explore what real security looks like today.

Workshop contributors include Richard Solly of Jesuit Missions and Ellen Teague of the Columban Justice, Peace and Ecology Team who will explore links between violence and environmental problems. Another workshop will listen to the voices of bereaved Israelis and Palestinians who are committed to working together for a Just Peace. Bokani Tshidzu of Operation Noah will explore ‘Investing in Peace through Climate Action.’ Quakers in Britain will look at how local interfaith and intercommunal relations in Britain are impacted by international conflicts.

NJPN says: “Journey with us this jubilee year as we open the doors to a just peace for current and future generations. Join us as we commit to taking restorative action to bring about peace and justice for migrants, or people living in poverty and inequality and for a world in climate crisis. We owe it to future generations to make this Jubilee permanent”.

National Justice and Peace Network

Venue

The Hayes Conference Centre, Swanwick, Derbyshire, DE55 1AU

Report on NJPN Networking Day on Opening Doors to a Sustainable World, 10 May 2024

Bokani Tshidzu (Operation Noah)and James Buchanan (Laudato Si’ Movement)

Source: Ellen Teague

Justice and Peace contacts from dioceses around England and Wales gathered on Saturday 10th May 2025 for a networking day on ‘Opening doors to a sustainable world for future generations’. It was the third meeting in the series of events for this Jubilee Year of Hope organised by the National Justice and Peace Network (NJPN).

Held at CAFOD’s office in South London, it brought together around 40 participants from Arundel and Brighton, Birmingham, Brentwood, Cardiff/Menevia, Clifton, Hallam, Leeds, Liverpool, Nottingham, Portsmouth, Southwark and Westminster. They were joined by representatives of CAFOD, Religious Links, FCJ Sisters, Jesuit Missions, Columbans, Journey to 2030 and Laudato Si’ Animators.

The day opened with reflective prayer and singing of the hymn, ‘O Word of God come into this place,’ by Ricky Manalo, led by Sr MaryAnne Francalanza, Director of the London FCJ Centre for Spirituality and EcoJustice, and Colette Joyce, Westminster Justice & Peace Co-ordinator.

The first speakers were Mary and Peter Johnson of the Livesimply parish of St Teresa of Lisieux Parish at Lexden in Brentwood Diocese, whose projects include creating a prayer garden, producing sustainable lifestyle ideas and creation-centred prayers of intercession, and making Laudato Si’ better known. They are trained Laudato Si animators and are active with social projects of Caritas Brentwood and have helped organise the installation of 24 solar panels on their church roof. “The Season of Creation is now embedded in our parish,” they said. There were plenty of ideas for other parish groups.

Mary Finnerty, Lead Economist at CAFOD, and Andrea Speranza of CAFOD campaigns talked on ‘Tackling debt and the climate crisis in this Jubilee Year.’ The meeting was urged to support and bring to Catholic parishes a Caritas Internationalis petition calling for debt cancellation for the world’s poorest countries. It aims to reach 10 million signatures. CAFOD is also calling for a Debt Justice Law in the UK and a new comprehensive debt framework. Some in the room had been involved in Jubilee 2000 – which prompted the cancellation of $130 billion of debt 25 years ago – and endorsed a focus on structural change to try and prevent poor country indebtedness building up again. “There are structural issues keeping countries in debt that have never been addressed,” said Andrea. Maria pointed out that there are particular opportunities for campaigning in the UK because 98% of the loans of poor countries are governed by English Law.”

All were urged to attend and promotes a lobby of parliament on 9 July, which includes Christian development agencies and civil society networks, and will urge MPs to work towards the UK becoming a global leader in tackling climate change and restoring nature by 2030. “Faith groups have an important role to play,” said Andrea. And then there will be a build up to campaigning for significant climate action at the UN’s COP30 climate conference in Brazil in November.

James Buchanan of the Laudato Si Movement and Bokani Tshidzu of Operation Noah spoke to ‘Greening Church Investments: fossil fuel divestment and investment in climate solutions.’ Participants were urged to join the ‘Big Bank Switch’ and ‘Share Action.’ Bishop Gerardo Alimane Alminaza of San Carlos in the Philippines sent a video message challenging extractive industries which harm the environment and urged ethical investment. He was particularly concerned about HSBC and Standard Chartered’s financing of liquefied natural gas terminals and fossil gas power plants in the Verde Island Passage: Everyone clapped as he concluded with, “we hope we can count on you to join and support us.”

The Muslim Director of Faith for the Climate, Dr Shanon Shah, led group work on creation-centred theology – taken from ‘Laudato Si’, ‘Laudato Deum’ and the Muslim document ‘Al-Mizan: A Covenant with the Earth.’ Participants undertook to network more ecumenically and interfaith on justice, peace and ecology issues. Interfaith collaboration was also mentioned in a message from Bishop John Arnold, Lead Bishop for the Environment in England and Wales. He welcomed initiatives in parishes and schools to care for the environment over the 10 years since the publication of Laudato Si’. And he added that, “internationally, there has also been good news, especially with the impact of the Islamic document ‘Al-Mizan’ which so closely mirrors the contents of Laudato Si’.”

In the feedback at the end one participant reflected, “this is a great network of individuals, groups and organisations and we are strong when we work together.” Inspired by the day, actions suggested for building a sustainable world included promoting CAFOD’s Livesimply programme in parishes and schools and lobbying dioceses to have paid staff offering expertise on renewable energy projects and fossil-free banking. Creation-care should be embedded in Church liturgies and sacramental preparation. Church monies should be used ethically.

The next major NJPN event will be the annual national conference at the Hayes Conference Centre in Swanwick, Derbyshire, on 25-27 July 2025. The theme will be: ‘Towards a Just Peace – Challenging the Inevitability of Violence.’ Keynote speakers will be Dr Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury and Dr Joanna Frew of Rethinking Security. All are welcome.

LINKS

Sign up for the livesimply award: https://cafod.org.uk/campaign/livesimply-award

Train to be a Laudato Si’ animator (free): https://laudatosianimators.org/

Laudato Si’ action platform: https://laudatosiactionplatform.org/

CAFOD resources to promote the debt petition in parishes as well as the online petition version:
https://shop.cafod.org.uk/collections/frontpage/campaign

Big Bank Switch: www.justice-and-peace.org.uk/campaigns/have-you-joined-the-big-bank-switch-yet/

Diocesan divestment at: www.operationnoah.org/bright-now-campaign/church-divestment/

July 9 – Mass Lobby of Parliament for People, Climate and Nature. www.theclimatecoalition.org/act-now-change-forever

NJPN Annual National Conference in July: www.justice-and-peace.org.uk/conference-2025/njpns-47th-annual-conference-25-27-july-2025/

10 May 2025: NJPN Day London – A Sustainable World for Future Generations

Source: Ellen Teague, NJPN

All are warmly invited to the third meeting in the National Justice and Peace Network (NJPN) series of events for this Jubilee Year of Hope The day at CAFOD’s office at Romero House, 55 Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7JB, on Saturday 10 May, 10.15am until 4.00pm.

This day will be facilitated by the NJPN Environment Group, and will include experience of being in a Live Simply parish; Tackling Debt and the Climate Crisis in the Jubilee Year; Greening Church Investments: fossil fuel divestment and investment in climate solutions; and Honouring our Covenants for Care of Creation.

A Filipino bishop who has played a key role in the implementation of Laudato Si’ in the Philippines and Avril De Torres (Deputy Executive Director of CEED Philippines) are to speak on the day’s theme of, ‘Opening doors to a sustainable world for future generations’. In the lead up to Laudato Si Week, Bishop Gerardo Alimane Alminaza of San Carlos will focus on extractive industries and the need for ethical investment, alongside Bokani Tshidzu of Operation Noah and James Buchanan of the Laudato Si Movement.

Shanon Shah, the Muslim Director of Faith for the Climate, will lead group work on creation-centred theology – taken from ‘Laudato Si’, ‘Laudato Deum’ and the Muslim document ‘Al Mizan: A Covenant with the Earth.’ Other speakers include Mary Finnerty, Lead Economist at CAFOD, and Mary and Peter Johnson of the Livesimply parish at Lexden in Brentwood Diocese and the Southern Dioceses Environment Network.

J&P activists from around England and Wales will be attending the day, which will be chaired by Paul Kelly of the Northern Dioceses Environment Group. Sr MaryAnne Francalanza of the FCJ Centre for Spirituality and EcoJustice at Euston and Colette Joyce (Westminster Justice & Peace) will lead liturgies. .

We are asking that you register to attend this Networking Day by emailing Sharon Chambers at admin@justice-and-peace.org.uk as we are limited to a certain number.

Tea and coffee will be provided, please bring your own lunch.

LINK

www.justice-and-peace.org.uk/meetings/opening-doors-to-a-sustainable-world-for-future-generations/

National Justice and Peace Network Rejects President Trump’s Plan for Gaza

The NJPN have issued the following response to President Trump’s announcement that he plans to evict the entire population of Gaza and redevelop it.

The National Justice and Peace Network of England and Wales rejects completely the proposal of the President of the United States for the ‘takeover’ of Gaza and the obscene plan to create yet another playground for the wealthy. The proposal violates international humanitarian and human rights law and blatantly disregards the basic rights of the Palestinian people.

To suggest that movement of the population of Gaza will be voluntary, when the area has been deliberately rendered uninhabitable, is contemptible.

There is no concern for Palestinian people who have no wish to leave their homeland? Where are they expected to go?

As pilgrims of hope in this Jubilee year, where is the hope for the people of the land called ‘Holy’? Hope is to be found in the countless displaced Gazans as they trek back to their homes in the desecrated neighbourhoods of Gaza. NJPN applauds their courage and supports them in their right to be agents of their own future in a Palestinian homeland.

As people of faith, we are called to speak and act with truth and integrity and to condemn injustice and any failures to recognise the innate dignity of all our sisters and brothers, who have the right to live in a land of their choosing.

We call on our elected leaders, and our faith leaders, to listen to the voices of those who condemn such an outrage, to speak out and to actively stand against the proposal from the United States, in solidarity with the people of Palestine. To remain passive is to collude in crimes against humanity. We must ALL speak out for a sustainable peace that is built on justice and on the recognition of the equal rights and dignity of all people.

Anne Peacey, on behalf of NJPN Executive

LINK

National Justice and Peace Network: www.justice-and-peace.org.uk/