In view of the forthcoming European Parliament elections, members of the Christian Life Community (CLC) in Europe have written to all election candidates in the countries where CLC is present.
CLC is a world community present in over 60 countries. They are committed lay Christians from all walks of life who draw their charism and inspiration from the spiritual exercises of St Ignatius of Loyola. They aim to live a simple lifestyle in the service of the Church and society. In this letter, CLC wants to draw the attention of candidates to issues they consider to be of concern, namely globalisation and the poor, the environment, forced migrants and solidarity and diversity. The following are the main points of the letter which can be found in full at cvx-clc.net/filesNewsReports/Open_letter_EP.pdf
Globalisation and the poor
The results of global economic efforts in the fight against poverty and inequality in the last 10 years are rather dismal. Though there has been a rise in the income of emerging economies, the developed middle class has declined, while the gulf between the richest and the poorest has widened even further. (The 85 richest individuals have an income equal to that of the poorest 3.5 billion individuals). Therefore, to strive for a fairer distribution of wealth, we propose the following three recommendations:
1. Establish new fiscal rules that will strengthen trust and solidarity among member states.
2. Create trade rules that promote social and environmental sustainability and where worker rights are a priority.
3. Reform the financial system so that resources are well spent on health and education. Promote tax harmonisation and fight tax evasion.
The Environment
Our planet is facing innumerable environmental challenges, the most urgent being offsetting the greenhouse footprint due to energy generation – a drastic decrease in dependency on fossil fuels for energy together with innovative technological methods can reverse the damage already done.
1. Food and water security – Europe has to lead by example in tackling food and water governance since the availability of these precious resources is on the decline due to a shift in weather patterns.
2. Improvement in cityscapes – Layout of cities should include more green spaces and recreational facilities.
3. Education is key to making the general public aware of our environmental degradation and that taking care of our planet is a shared responsibility.
Forced migrants
If Europe is truly committed to ending the tragedy in the Mediterranean, it needs to continue looking for solutions:
1. Clear rules on search and rescue operations
2. The new Dublin Regulation
3. The return directive
4. End to detention centres
5. Failed asylum seekers
6. Integration of migrants
7. Reuniting Syrian refugees
The EU has to work on a comprehensive policy that promotes the fundamental dignity and rights of migrants regardless of their legal status.
Solidarity and diversity
The EU adopted the motto ‘unity in diversity’ in the year 2000. Diversity is not a threat to an individual or a state but an enrichment. With an understanding of another’s culture, comes solidarity. We welcome the establishment of the EU solidarity fund. We pledge to you our availability in issues of solidarity. If Europe lives up to its motto ‘unity in diversity’, there will truly be one Europe living in harmony.
Chris Micallef
Christian Life Community Malta
San Gwann