ECWM - European Christian Worker Movement

European Christian Workers Movement

For a socially-responsible and just Europe

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International day of work-free Sundays - 3rd March 2021

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Democracy thrives on positive experiences and participation

Origins

The idea of work-free Sundays is rooted in Judaism and thus with its 2500 years of history the oldest social legislation of humanity. In the Old Testament in the account of the creation of the world, the end of the story is not the creation of man, but God's rest after work on the seventh day. (Gen: 2,1-3). The completion of labour lies in rest. This right to rest should be guaranteed for everyone – for women, men, servants, slaves and foreigners, as well as for animals and finally, nature. (Deut: 5,14)

In Europe work-free Sundays are among the oldest of cultural assets and therefore should be safeguarded as a cultural heritage, a legitimate legal claim. They should serve as a safety net and protection for people and nature from self- and external exploitation. In today’s work-life the work-free Sunday can be understood as the margin between externally directed and self-determined time. According to the Christian-Jewish idea of human beings, every person is more than what they achieve workwise. To regularly take time off, in the sense of the “good life for all”, can and should strengthen the awareness of unconfined human dignity. The Sabbath or Sunday is the reliable framework for this.

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ECWM Coordination Group on-line meeting on February, 13th, 2021

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The meeting of the ECWM coordination group took place on 13 February 2021. The circumstances of the Covid-19 pandemic forced the group to meet online, a new challenge that brings it to work and plan the future of the European movement in a different way. The meeting was attended by the President, Olinda M., (Portugal), Chaplain Josep J. (Spain), Treasurer Armin H. (Switzerland), Coordinator Toni M. (Spain), as well as representatives of the movements from Spain (HOAC and ACO), Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland (KAB and CTC), Austria and England, and representatives of the WMCW world movement: Fátima C. (Portugal) Co-Chair, Mariléa D. (Brazil) Secretary General, Bernard R. (France) Chaplain and Philippe Ch. (France) Treasurer.

The usual agenda items were discussed, as well as the preparation of various amendments to the statutes to be discussed at the General Assembly scheduled for September 2021, which will be held, if possible physically in Lisbon, or on-line.

 

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CHRISTMAS MESSAGE 2020 of ECWM “You shall name him Jesus” (Luke 1: 31)

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“Comfort, give comfort to my people” (Is 40: 1). With these words of hope and trust from the prophet Isaiah, we start this Christmas message addressed to all members of movements which make up ECWM, in these hard times that our world and our Europe are suffering. COVID-19 pandemic has taken a heavy toll in many of our fellow citizens, both in health and economic aspects, venting its rage over those who suffer the worst living conditions. Moreover, many European citizens have died in our countries because of this pandemic.

“Because there was no room for them in the inn” (Lk 2: 7). Many of the precarious situations that European citizens suffer, were experienced by Jesus, the Son of God, at his birth. A situation of poverty lived in these times by many people: workers fired, jobs destroyed, the sick, psychological damage, deaths and other consequences that deteriorate us as individuals and society.

“Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." (Lk 2: 15). The health and working conditions that our society live call us to get close the manger of Bethlehem and to watch in it to Jesus who is born in the midst of our world wounded by precariousness and pain. This is why we repeat the action of shepherds when we go to those who suffer most this pandemic. Make solidarity, fraternal love and the dedication of our time be the hallmark of our visit to the poor and humble manger that our world is today.

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ECWM holds its General Assembly

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On 16 October 2020 the ECWM held its annual general assembly. This time it was held telematically due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Representatives from 11 movements from 9 European countries took part. Three representatives of the WMCW (World Movement of Christian Workers) also took part

A highlight has been the election of the new president. Olinda Marques, a member of the LOC-MTC movement in Portugal, was unanimously elected to replace Petr Koutný, from the KAP movement in the Czech Republic, who had held the presidency for two years.

In addition, the activities carried out by the ECWM and its member movements in the period since the previous General Assembly, held in Ostend, Belgium in October 2019, have been reported.

We are pleased to have been able to hold this fraternal meeting, albeit through screens, and we have set ourselves up for the next assembly, scheduled for September 2021 in Lisbon.

Statement of European Christian Workers Movement (ECWM) on the occasion of Europe Day

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Requiem for a Europe that must die, ode to a hoped Europe


1. In these Covid-19 days we see how the society and the popular and working classes are organizing themselves in solidarity and mutual support networks. We see the rebirth of community action and attention to the most unprotected people. We see how the bold work of health community is recognized every day, the central importance of domestic workers and those who care the sick and dependent people, the heroism of so many daily saints, as pope Francis likes to be called, despite to all difficulties and despite that we have the individualism virus inoculated since forever, and even more so by this predatory and fratricidal capitalism that has brought us to the edge of precipice.

2. For that reason, if the human tissue is being remade from the smallest, with many drops of love, humility and generosity, we aspire to see these dynamics in the authorities which govern us and also in the enterprises where we work. Thus, we are hurt to see how the governments of member States in Europe and in the community, institutions reproduce, in their own interest, some dynamics that have already taken place, as in the financial crisis 2008 and that must be overcome at this so serious moment.

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Message of Pope Francis to popular movements and organizations on Easter Sunday 2020

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To our brothers and sisters of popular movements and organizations

Dear Friends,

I often recall our previous meetings: two at the Vatican and one in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, and I must tell you that this “souvenir” warms my heart. It brings me closer to you, and helps me re-live so many dialogues we had during those times. I think of all the beautiful projects that emerged from those conversations and took shape and have become reality. Now, in the midst of this pandemic, I think of you in a special way and wish to express my closeness to you. In these days of great anxiety and hardship, many have used war-like metaphors to refer to the pandemic we are experiencing. If the struggle against COVID-19 is a war, then you are truly an invisible army, fighting in the most dangerous trenches; an army whose only weapons are solidarity, hope, and community spirit, all revitalizing at a time when no one can save themselves alone. As I told you in our meetings, to me you are social poets because, from the forgotten peripheries where you live, you create admirable solutions for the most pressing problems afflicting the marginalized.

I know that you nearly never receive the recognition that you deserve, because you are truly invisible to the system. Market solutions do not reach the peripheries, and State protection is hardly visible there. Nor do you have the resources to substitute for its functioning. You are looked upon with suspicion when through community organization you try to move beyond philanthropy or when, instead of resigning and hoping to catch some crumbs that fall from the table of economic power, you claim your rights. You often feel rage and powerlessness at the sight of persistent inequalities and when any excuse at all is sufficient for maintaining those privileges. Nevertheless, you do not resign yourselves to complaining: you roll up your sleeves and keep working for your families, your communities, and the common good. Your resilience helps me, challenges me, and teaches me a great deal.

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  1. Joint Statement of the Presidents of COMECE and CEC in the context of the COVID–19 pandemic: "LET US REMAIN UNITED"
  2. Prayer for our hurting world
  3. European Christian Workers Movement Statement in the International Free-Work Sunday Day (3rd March)
  4. ECWM Seminar 2019 in Ostend: "A dignified life for EVERYONE in the digital age!"
  5. Europe: For the sake of our common home
  6. ECWM Statement on European Elections - May 2019
  7. European Christian Worker Movement Statement in the International Day of Free Sunday (3rd March)
  8. The ECWM takes part in the VIIth European Social Week in Milan
  9. Participation of ECWM to the COMECE Conference: "Building the future of work. A faith-based contribution to the initiative for the centenary of the ILO"
  10. ECWM Yearly Seminar in Birmingham, UK: "Digital work - working anytime, anywhere - impact on workers and their families"
  11. MCW England: "Unworkable workplaces" - New issue of MCW Review
  12. "Decent work for a good life for all", A Statement of ECWM on the occasion of the World Day for Decent Work, October 7th
  13. ECWM SEMINAR AND CONGRESS IN AVILA (Spain) Decent work and precarious jobs in Europe
  14. WMCW International Council and ECWM Coordination meetings to prepare their next General Assembly
  15. Reaffirming the dignity of work in the face of a changing world of work
  16. ECWM Seminar and Assembly 2016 in Avila, Spain
  17. 3mods-en
  18. World Day for Decent Work (7 October)
  19. From Rerum Novarum (1891) to Laudato si (2015)
  20. Message of the WMCW on the occasion of Labour Day 2016
  21. KAB Germany produces a short information vídeo on the controversial trade agreements TTIP and CETA
  22. Statement by the ECWM Coordinator after the Brussels Attacks
  23. Statement ECWM before the holding of the European Council, 17th-18th March, 2016
  24. Final Statement of the Assembly and Seminar of ECWM, Lisbon October, 2014
  25. Declaration of the ECWM regarding the European elections of 22 to 25 May 2014

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latest articles

  • International day of work-free Sundays - 3rd March 2021
  • ECWM Coordination Group on-line meeting on February, 13th, 2021
  • CHRISTMAS MESSAGE 2020 of ECWM “You shall name him Jesus” (Luke 1: 31)
  • ECWM holds its General Assembly
  • Statement of European Christian Workers Movement (ECWM) on the occasion of Europe Day
  • Message of Pope Francis to popular movements and organizations on Easter Sunday 2020
  • Joint Statement of the Presidents of COMECE and CEC in the context of the COVID–19 pandemic: "LET US REMAIN UNITED"
  • Prayer for our hurting world
  • Message from the WMCW on the occasion of the 8th March, International Women's Day
  • European Christian Workers Movement Statement in the International Free-Work Sunday Day (3rd March)

On the website of WMCW

World Movement of Christian Workers - Home

03 March 2021

Website of the World Movement of Christian Workers - Site Web du Mouvement Mondial de Travailleurs Chrétiens - Página web del Movimiento Mundial de Trabajadores Cristianos
  • March 8th, 2021: “ Women Leaders for a Future of Equality and Fullness of Life in the Context of the COVID19 Pandemic"
  • INFOR February 2021: "The Fight for Justice"
  • Statement by the MIACs movements: "From crisis to conversion, an invitation to a more humane world"
  • International Migrants' Day: "What is our Human and Christian Responsibility in the Life of a Migrant?
  • Life stronger than anything: Special issue of INFOR - December 2020
  • Message of the WMCW to ICYCW/IYCW on the occasion of its founder's birthday, Joseph Cardijn
  • "Letter to Francis", final document of the World Meeting of People's Movements 2020
  • Message of the WMCW on October 7th: International Day for Decent Work
  • Review of Life on the Coronavirus

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