European Christian Political Movement

ECPM South East European Conference

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 11:21:49 +0200

In a few weeks, on September 17, the ECPM South East European Conference will take place in Romania. The ECPM expects over 200 participants from all over Europe, although most attendants will come from the southeast of Europe.

The ECPM organizes this conference in collaboration with the Ecumenical Prayer Group from the Romanian Parliament, the theme is: "Faith and Challenges in the XXI Century: Unity through diversity" . Also the confernece is combined with the Romanian Prayer Breakfast (RPB) that is hosted by the President of the Romanian President of the Chamber of Deputies, Mr. Bogdan Olteanu.

The ECPM is encouraged to see the growing interest in Christian politics in the region of Southeastern Europe. The conference in September will bring many Christian politicians together in order to encourage and educate each other on several subjects. We hope to see you in September and pray for a blessed and fruitfull conference.

Christian Democratic People's Party Moldova condemn Russian invasion

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 13:56:55 +0200

Statement of the Christian Democratic People's Party on the situation in Georgia. The Christian Democratic People's Party expresses its deep concern regarding the military aggression undertaken by the Russian Federation against Georgia.

We firmly condemn the invasion of the Russian army in Georgia, the invasion which brutally violates the norms of international law and is an act of hostility committed against a sovereign and independent state. Using the territorial secessionism against the newly independent states on the ex-Soviet area represents one of the constant tools of the Russian neo-imperial policy. The secessionism is being used in the case of Georgia, likewise in the case of the Republic of Moldova, as a way to block our countries' aspirations to fulfill their strategic objectives of institutional integration into the European and Euro-Atlantic structures.

Mikhail Saakashvili, the Georgian leader, succeeded to prove to the whole world that the democratic elections in this country can be carried out with the observance of all international standards, despite some political challenges and a diversion of economic, energetic and commercial nature, despite a total diplomatic and media war unleashed by the Moscow administration. The recent victories in the presidential and parliamentary elections reached by the political entity led by Mikhail Saakashvili have determined the Kremlin to resort to the harshest form of attack against the authorities of Tbilisi - the military aggression. The purpose of this war unleashed by Russia is to block the Georgia's progress of approaching the NATO on the eve of the NATO Ministerial Meeting in December this year. At the same time, Russia aims to remove from the power the Saakashvili's governance and to install in Tbilisi a government that would be an obedient one to Moscow.

As a political force that expressed from the very beginning its solidarity with the Rose Revolution and as a political entity belonging to the same political family - that of the European People's Party - of which member is also the National United Movement led by Mikhail Saakashvili, the Christian Democratic People's Party expresses its entire solidarity with the leadership of Georgia and demands the international community to undertake all measures in order to stop the Russian military invasion against this country. For this time, NATO and UE have to show not just their concern, but also the ability to determine Moscow to renounce from violating the norms of international law, as well as from its imperial policy.

The Christian Democratic People's Party calls upon the authorities of the Republic of Moldova to express the firm attitude towards the Russian military intervention in Georgia and to provide to this friendly GUAM country all the necessary diplomatic, economic and humanitarian support for overcoming its present critical situation.

May God protect Georgia!

Iurie Roşca, CDPP President

Chişinău, August 11, 2008

War in Georgia - Christian democratic appeal

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 11:34:56 +0200

The situation in Georgia around the break away region of south Ossetia is escalating since 8 of August when Georgia was attacking the region as an answer to the violence of seperatists. The conflict worsened since Russia is involving themselves in this conflict by attacking Georgia. This, according to offical statements, to secure the protection of the Russian inhabitants in that area. There is a real danger that the conflict can spread to Abchasia, another seperatist region in Georgia that is supported by the Russians.

Giorgi Targamadze, Chairman of the
Christian Democratic Movement of Georgia calls the international community and democratic world to use all possible means to stop Russia's military aggression against Georgia, ease tension in the Tskhinvali region, and start peaceful settlement of the conflict by the active involvement of international mediators in the process.

For the complete text of this appeal, see below:

The Christian Democratic Movement's Appeal to the International Community

09 August, 2008.

Today - at its most important moment in Georgia's history, when the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity is under real threat due to an undeclared war brought on us by Russia - Georgia's Christian Democratic Movement is appealing to the international community and democratic world to use all possible means to stop Russia's military aggression against Georgia, ease tension in the Tskhinvali region, and start peaceful settlement of the conflict by the active involvement of international mediators in the process.

Best regards

Giorgi Targamadze
Chairman

Christian Democratic Movement of Georgia

Congress materials online and holiday greetings

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 16:06:13 +0200

Some Congress materials have been put online by the ECPM staff.

The summary of the presentation of Sander Luitwieler at the 4th ECPM Congress is now available. Other documents can also be found. Go to Interactive to find more documents, presentations, interviews and other sources.

The ECPM staff is still working on reorganizing the website in order to make it easier and more informative for all viewers.

In the next weeks, many members of the ECPM staff will be away for a holiday. however more information on the ECPM South East Conference will be available soon.

The ECPM staff wishes you a good holiday and already invites you to take part in the South East conference in Romania, registration will be possible soon.

Economic Diplomacy Seminar in Croatia: 10-24 August 2008

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 14:15:37 +0200

The Economic Diplomacy Seminar is now in its third year. After two successful years EDS is no longer an experiment but a reality shared by now over 100 participants, young leaders, and professional practitioners from the surrounding region and the world. Feedback for 2007 exceeded expectations with an additional 5 days, new speakers, new workshops, and a depth in relationships that has not previously been experienced. This is not just an exclusive vision now but something that many people share, are sharing with others, and developing together for the future.

The Economic Diplomacy Seminar was a necessary outgrowth of ROM (Renewing our Mind): a more specialized program for young professionals and students entering economic and political life. In order to deal with peace and reconciliation in three weeks, ROM could not take a step into the professional, and in this case, the economic sphere. With this extension young leaders have exchanged ideas centered around economic diplomacy, become equipped practically for professions related to economics, international trade and business, political economics and economic diplomacy, while also receiving essential training based on the principles applied at ROM, the principles of Jesus of Nazareth.

The background of economic problems in the Balkan region demands the application of these same principles. Principles like integrity, moral leadership, service to the community, a focus on the poorest and their needs, faith, good economics, transparency and others, will combat corruption, lies, selfishness, youth hopelessness, debilitating high unemployment, and even abject poverty among some ethic and former refugee groups. Our hope is that when these experiences and principles are applied, they will end up changing and developing this region, not just in terms of economic growth, but through the creation of whole leaders in areas of economic diplomacy, international trade, peace building, and friendship.
The objectives are:

Train leaders through the model of Jesus for the successful elimination of the problems mentioned
Equip leaders with practical skills in the areas related to economic diplomacy. Skills such as conflict resolution and negotiations, project management, development of a business plan or grant application, communication across cultures
Network leaders: connect leaders who are working or interested in the area of economic diplomacy or interested in combating the problems mentioned. These leaders can then resource each other for projects and help each other as friends

The program exists of speakers and seminars, small groups and mentors, workshops, a trip to a disadvantaged region and social events for fun and recreation.

The program will be under the umbrella of the organization Life Center International, a registered non-profit organization in the Republic of Croatia with a working team with Justin Kagin, co-director of the economic diplomacy project and PhD candidate for agricultural economics at UC Davis, Milan Pavlović co-director of the economic diplomacy project and graduate of Economics in Serbia, Tihomir Kukolja general director of ROM, and other leadership from previous EDS or from ROM.
The program will be held in Hope House, Fuzine, Croatia from the 10th of August until the 24th, for a total of two weeks. Participants will be chosen based on recognized leadership in their communities and recommendations of those involved with the seminar.

From the ECPM, Leo van Doesburg, Representative South East Europe joined in 2006 and will join in 2008 as trainer.

EDS Leadership team in 2006

For more information about the EDS, please contact Milan Pavlović (Economic Diplomacy Seminar Program Co-Director) Mobile: +381 63 71 850 71. E-mail him using this link. Or contact Justin Kagin (Economic Diplomacy Seminar Program Co-Director) Mobile:1 415-367-5152. E-mail him using this link. Website: www.romexcel.com and http://eds2007journal.blogspot.com.