Protecting our Humanity

The Church has always seemed to me to have a fairly ambivalent relationship with the idea of human rights. For Christians who believe in the inherent God-given dignity of human-kind, there is clearly a firm basis for what we call 'natural rights' but in spite of this, there has been a tendency to view the 'human rights agenda' with some suspicion. But perhaps the tide is turning... in recent months I attended a seminar hosted by CARE which was a fascinating insight into the historical origins of the Universal Declaration and yesterday, the 60th anniversary since the UDHR, Nick Sagovsky of Westminster Abbey used the opportunity to highlight the plight of people seeking sanctuary in the UK, calling for a more humanitarian approach to asylum policy. Instead of casting doubt over the validity of human rights, which seems rather in vogue amongst some politicians, this is an opportunity for people of faith and of no faith to work together, speaking up for and protecting our common humanity. But we cannot pick and choose - these are human rights for all, not just for those who believe as we do. Everyone for example, has the right to seek and enjoy asylum from persecution. Similarly, the freedom, enshrined in the UDHR to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, remains as relevant today as it did in 1948.

Heavy Metal in Baghdad

So I'm a student again :-) which means plenty of time for blogging and for film-watching. On a bit of a whim, I went along to the ICA to see Heavy Metal in Baghdad, a documentary charting the lives of 5 young Iraqis who make up Acrassicauda, a Metallica-inspired heavy metal band who formed in 2001. This is an incredible film, and it took a huge amount of courage to get it made - both on behalf of the film-makers and the band members. Watching the band in their early days dedicating a song out of obligation to Saddam is almost comical but we soon see their hopes of a better future dashed in the aftermath of invasion. Having lost friends, family and unable to meet with one another safely in Baghdad, nearly all the band end up living as 'heavy-metal refugees' in Damascus, without status, the right to work and ultimately, without their music - forced to sell their guitars to pay the rent. I hear that the band are now in Turkey so things move on and the band are continuing to post on a blog.... here's the latest published in May:

"Every day brings new challenge that you are not up to with out your power sources. Your music, your home, your friends and so much more living of the broken hopes and dreams of the day that you will be able to gain all of them back. The only thing you got in your pocket to rely on is your belief. This is the only thing that keeps us all going forward and not look back."

At this time of intense political debate, both in this country and in the US, this film is a timely reminder of the power of politics and the devastating impact of war on young people who are just trying to get on with their lives - young people who have the same hopes and dreams as you and me.

Faith in politics?

This is old news now but still relevant - especially in light of the recent speech by Tony Blair. CSM held the Tawney dialogue a week or so ago, exploring the links between faith, politics and the quest for social justice. Apart from the dull AGM bit where I had to present the strategic plan (!) I think it was a really stimulating evening with Canon Nick Sagovsky and Welfare Reform Minister Stephen Timms MP, reflecting on Tawney (and particularly his approach to capitalism and the accumulation of wealth), how politicans and clergy can mutually support one another, and considering how in each of their different capacities, they can contribute to working for a just society. Nick Sagovsky put forward four principles which he proposed should underpin our quest for social justice:

1. The maximisation of liberty (or opportunity)
2. Promotion of a system of law that commands popular assent, including at an international level
3. Meeting of needs and the promotion of well-being
4. Exercise of responsible judgement

He ended with a 'defence of politics' a la Bernard Crick, reminding us all that the alternative to democratic politics is discord, violence and ultimately, war - a timely reminder, just several weeks before elections in this country, that whilst voting may seem irrelevant to many, it is ultimately part of a process that allows us all the get on with our lives and we all have a duty to participate.

As well as a pic of the event (courtesy of my co-Vice-Chair Kerron Cross), I've also posted an event of a visit that CSM Officers (including myself, Andrew Bradstock and CSM Chair Alun Michael MP) made to City Gateway, a faith-based project in East London that is working with young people to give them the confidence and skills they need to get on in life - a wonderfully inspiring afternoon and great to see (contrary to the myth that the Tories keep peddling) that organisations motivated by their Christian faith have been able to access public funding.

Passion

Thought I'd return to blogging with a good post title :-)
It's been a long while.... still no comments though so perhaps the need to say something controversial?
I thought I would share some thoughts about the recent screening of the BBC One 'Passion' which is going to be shown across Easter week. In itself, this is a fantastic production and I hope that people watch it, are impressed by what it accomplishes and are challenged by the message of the film. Essentially this is a 'story' packed full of drama and complexity and Joseph Mawle gives a compelling performance as Jesus, managing to be both tender, particularly with women and children, and determined - especially in his encounters with the religious leaders. In the panel discussion that followed I was struck by the team behind this film, talking about their desire to tell a story that was accessible to all, regardless of their faith background, and above all to create a deep sense of 'unconditional love' - their words not mine and I hope it succeeds! There was one thing that was troubling me throughout the screening - I wasn't sure how to articulate it during the Q&A but then the penny dropped on the way home - wasn't it slightly ironic to pack the room full of Church leaders (or blaggers such as myself) who are part of the establishment, responsible for much good but also subject to much privilege, to watch a film about the subversion of authority. What the BBC should have done was to have a free party for those who don't get treated to free wine on a regular basis - now that would have been good PR!

Zero Degrees

I was absolutely bowled over this week by a dance production that I saw at Sadlers Wells. A collaboration between Akram Khan, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui (both dancers), Nitin Sawhney and Antony Gormley. The programme says that 'zero degrees explores borders - between countries, cultures and, most importantly, between life and death'. It may sound a little pretentious but it REALLY worked and the story-telling, beautiful music, incredible athleticism from the dancers and their interaction with the Gormley life-size casts, made for a mesmerising evening. If you ever get this see these guys collaborating again, you must go!

Conference Blues

The observant among you will notice that I forgot to blog about the party conference this year. This is in part due to laziness but I was also pretty fed up with all the coverage. There was some pretty sensible debate on the fringe (although most of the meetings are run and taken over by professionals - like me - and everything seemed a bit sanitised and lacking conviction) but the only story the media were interested in was the non-election. At Lib-Dems, there could have been some good public debate around the regularisation of migrants (scroll down) but the journalists only seemed to care about Ming - there might be a story now but there wasn't one in mid-September. So I'm pretty fed-up - yes the Prime Minister could have killed the election speculation and must take some responsibility but the media have driven the political agenda over the last month and I find it depressing.

CSM stuff went really well - we had a well-attended conference service, with Leslie Griffiths speaking on the Beatitudes (GB did the reading) and some great songs from Andy Flan. Because of work (not lie-ins!), I didn't get to all the breakfast meetings, but I was able to make it along to the event with Jack Straw focusing on inequality and the wide-ranging social consequences of unequal societies. Definitely food for thought and it was encouraging the see the Secretary of State so engaged in the dicussion. And yes, I made my conference debut - no photos I'm afraid, but I really enjoyed the opportunity to speak alongside Ed Miliband and to think about how values drive our voluntary action.

On the subject of voluntary action, I've been thinking a bit about whether it is appropriate for charities to speak on the main stage at conference. There seems to be a trend (particularly noticeable at Conservative Conference) for celebrities and charities to address conference, and I'm not really convinced that this is the right place for them. At the very least, there is a certain political naivety I think - in appearing to endorse a party agenda. Don't know what anyone else thinks...

So I have THREE questions that came out of conference:
1. Who is holding the media to account in this country?
2. How can CSM push Government to take inequality, not just poverty, seriously
3. Should charities accept invitations to speak on main stage at any party conference?

Supporting the monks in Burma

Events are unfolding in Burma with a strange sense of inevitability and it all feels a bit voyeuristic. In 1988 thousands of protestors were killed in Rangoon as they protested against the military dictatorship and noone heard about it but this time is different and I am hoping and praying that there will be a peaceful transition to democracy in the country - the Junta know that the world is watching and decisive action must be taken by the global community. This throws up a whole number of issues for democratic socialists who are pro-peace and anti-fascism. I've had some thoughts on this going around my mind ever since I read What's Left by Nick Cohen - fundamentally, Nick Cohen argues, the Left should be defined by their determination to stand in solidarity alongside our brothers and sisters fighting fascism, wherever they may be in the world. I was first introduced to the tragedy of military rule in Burma when I spent a university summer working in Northern Thailand amongst Karen refugees. We could only stare at Burmese border, unable to cross because of the severe fighting - at the time the Burmese Junta had stepped up their campaign in Karen state, burning villages and raping women. Whilst we were there, our hosts told us the most horrendous stories of rape and murder, and we met children who had been orphaned, some of whom had seen their parents killed. At the time it was too much for me to cope with and returning to England I didn't really know what to do with the knowledge. I found out about some of the advocacy work that Christian Solidarity Worldwide were undertaking (www.csw.org.uk) and started writing letters to Total, a French oil company who have been major investors in Burma and making use of the Yadana pipeline that has been constructed using forced and child labour. I also spoke to an old school friend who had started an educational charity working with the Karenni following a gap-year experience that had transformed her life. Steph tragically died in Thailand but the work of her charity, the Karenni Student Development Programme continues and an article appeared in the Telegraph a few years back:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/global/main.jhtml?xml=/global/2003/03/04/elsteph04.xml

I don't really know what the answer is but we need to support and pray for those protesting in Burma, stand in solidarity and don't whatever you do, fill your car up at a Total petrol station.