Global Issues Forum:
3 April 2003

Bristol wide Social Justice Group Meeting (BSJG): "Global issues Forum"  

3^rd April 2003

Woodlands Upper hall

Hosted by Roger Allen - Christian Aid (BCF) & Janet Legg - Tearfund (Woodlands)

Minutes

·        Attendees;

Steve Abbott, Becky Rust, Viv Cloke, Alan Cable, Paul Tipler, Paul Hazelden, Harry Benson, Heather Thomas, Gaynor Lewis, Mike Ogborne, Helen Harrison, Janet Legg, and Roger Allen.

·      Apologies;

Martin Parkes, Nigel Quarrell, Pat Seymour, Simon Cole, Pauline Bendes, David Roderick, Mike Pears, Tim Dobson, Diane Barnard, Philip Jinadu, Neil Edbrook, Val Jeal, Helen Hill, Jason Yapp, Val Harding, John MacDonald, Andy Luxford, Paul Cloke,

·        Introductions Roger Allen,

Reiteration of aims and explanation of origins to set up a Bristol wide Social Justice Group (BSJG)

Purpose to encourage the churches and individuals to action and seeking the best way to do that.

            Outline of evening; feedback from meeting, suggested links with BCAN & where the future of the group might be headed, and talking a bit about the Trade Justice Lobbies on June 28^th.

·        Feedback from meeting with BCAN 14^th March.

Steve Abbott outlined the work and purpose of BCAN, it is includes many activities; topics & discussions, lunches, homeless forum & Faithworks. Talking to Church leaders, how BCAN can help with what churches are, or might be doing social action wise in the city. The global dimension not originally discussed.

Roger Allen highlighted the possible duplication of BSJG and BCAN, which has been acknowledged, hence the reason for approaching them.

The homeless forum, under BCAN umbrella, fulfilling a need, plus part of something bigger which gives it credibility. Perhaps global focus another specific area which BCAN ought to sponsor. Linking local and global. Perhaps there could be a “Global Issues Forum”.

Steve Abbott & Paul Hazelden on BCAN steering committee, suggested at March BCAN meeting a gradual process of linking BSJG & BCAN over time, with mutual representation at either meetings.

There was agreement for this plan.

·          Feedback from Fairtrade Fortnight.

Helen Harrison, South Gloucester Fairtrade network; 9 supermarkets stands

4 Fairtrade promoting events, in local paper.

And local school; Marlewood.

It was questionable whether Fairtrade fortnight should be over lent!?

Thornbury Baptist had a banana grower at church.

In Bristol, 14 –20 supermarkets had Fairtrade stands, and present at the Farmers market. Good feedback from people who had heard about FTF from GMTV

Viv Cloke pointed out that the issue of Fairtrade needs to be constant, not just for the fortnight but actively promoted, especially to young people that this is a lifestyle choice. We must all encourage our churches to take this on! Christmas is an especially good opportunity, and Fairtrade tastings/ samplings could a fantastic evangelistic tool for small groups.

Helen Harrison contactable for those.

·        Trade Justice Movement.

Big summer campaign, June 28^th. Roger Allen presented video.

Every constituency to be lobby their MP locally, picnics in local parks. Again, a good evangelistic event: bring non- Christians along them to show Christians care about these issues.

Attachment enclosed of who is organising each one locally.

South Gloucester, unfair tug of war, Gloucester Rugby Club V local school.

The question of Christians having difficulty with politics was brought up, hopefully picnics will be non confrontational, people just need to be present, the MP will get an idea of numbers. Good local publicity for them, and issue.

Paul Hazelden commented that political involvement can be problematic, but we can integrate it with caring for the poor locally, as some people will be happier at this level.

Roger Allen talked about getting the word out about TJM lobby, possibly celebration evening in June, through leaders fraternals, any means!

·        Disscussion key events. Brainstorm.

A potential calendar for BSJG (or even global forum) suggested.

January: preparing for Fairtrade fortnight.

March/ April: summer campaign event, such as Trade Justice, preparation, and new Aspire catologue.

September/October: Blytheswood Christmas sending, possibly eurovangelism. Aspire Christmas catologue & Christmas fairtrade selling opportunities.

Possibly next meeting in September would be an evening of presentations about what each organisation/group does and their practical needs

v     At this point Heather Thomas and Gaynor Lewis said they were unsure about role and purpose at the BSJG. Mike Ogborne, Roger Allen and others hopefully reassured members that the group is not so much to serve larger organisations and big issues, but is as much to help resource and serve smaller groups. An aim of BSJG is to share resources, including personnel, through wider email networks different needs around the year. Hopefully achieve the aim of mobilising people from larger networks to help the needs of smaller groups, such as Kingsway Aid project, or Eurovangelism, Aspire, etc.

v     List of those on the BSJG contact list enclosed with these minutes.

·             Any other Business

v     Speak. New student, global action group set up, meeting Café Unlimited. Contact Martin Parkes (mparkes@christian-aid.org)

v     "Enough" magazine.

Prayer points

v     Mike Ogborne: Site for another trailer required.

v     Kingsway Aid project: place to sort and store aid in Kingswood area.

v     Harry Benson: will form greater links with local aspect of BCAN. Keeping up momentum, government grant dropped.

v     Paul Tipler: re establish Christian presence at Aspire, practical needs for financial stability, window cleaning business, more volunteers.

v     Viv Cloke:building momentum, stepping out locally

v     Janet Legg: The Mix, globally focussed May 4^th.

v     Becky Rust: The Sanctuary, raising social justice issues.

v     Alan Cable: Divine appointments, spirit going ahead of us.

v     Steve Abbott: BCAN two posts to appoint, leaders to support.

v     Paul Hazelden: admin for homelessness forum,

Crisis Centre expanding, pressures & stress. Volunteers

Jesus in the city, 2004, Glasgow, group from Bristol to contribute.

It was agreed that the next meeting would be Tuesday, September 9^th, at 7.30pm, Upper Hall, Woodlands with groups (Aspire, Eurovangelism, Blytheswood and any others?) bringing a short presentation of what their group/organisation does and their needs throughout the year.

The evening ended with some words of encouragement and closed in prayer.