History EFECW

Women wish to understand each other in their cultural differences and in their unique Christian faith.

In some churches and regions of Europe women have tasks but only few rights, which could allow them to search for innovations on the path towards unity. Nevertheless believing Christians can exchange experiences and can be strengthened by the manifold ways of life of their sisters .

Since thirty years the Ecumenical Forum of European Christian Women assembles women of all the different churches and denominations in Europe in seminars, conferences and assemblies.1978 the first ecumenical women's consultation took place in Brussels, where we realized how enriching and necessary the encounter and discussions were. There we felt to be empowered to search for a way to work together in East and West, South and North of Europe and promoted this movement. Some of the themes and of the participants in the last years may be interesting for you.

History of the Ecumenical Forum of European Christian Women

(written by Catherine Gyarmathy)

1982, May 15–21st, Founding Assemby in Switzerland, Gwatt

"Peace and Justice" Christian Women's commitment to Justice

Members of the Coordinating Committee

EFECW was until the 4th General Assembly in Budapest organized by Regions:

South: Italy, Portugal, Spain

Scandinavia

Eastern Europe

Benelux, France + French speaking part of Switzerland

English speaking Region: UK and Ireland, Netherlands, Malta

German Speaking Region: Switzerland, Austria, Germany

1986 2nd General Assembly, Finland, Jarvenpää

"Sharing Life, Building Hope"

Members of the Coordinating Committee

1990 3rd General Assembly, England, York

"From Divison to Vision"

Members of the Coordinating Committee

1994 4th General Assembly, Hungary, Budapest

"Be not afraid – remember the Future"

Members of the Coordinating Committee

1998 5th General Assembly, Spain, El Escorial

"Facing the New Millenium with Promise"

Members of the Coordinating Committee

2002 6th General Assembly, Czech Republic, Celakovice

Called to Compassion and Freedom; Christian Women Shaping the Future

Members of the Coordinating Committee

2006 7th General Assembly, Switzerland, Murten

"We are Citizens of Europe! Daring to overcome frontiers – Respecting Differences"

Members of the Coordinating Committee

2010 8th General Assembly, Deutschland, Loccum

"Participation and Responsibility - On the way of Justice there is Life"

Members of the Coordinating Committee

Since the 4th General Assembly in Budapest the Regions had been abolished and replaced by

Annual National Coordinators meetings:

1992 First National Coordinators Conference Soest

1995 Romania, Ilieni

1996 Germany, Hirschluch

1997 Finland, Turku

1999 Portugal, Porto "Living in Multicultural Societies"

2000 Greece, Perea "Searching for the Female Soul of Europe; Myth or Reality"

2001 England, Ushaw "Telling our Stories – Tracing the; Multicultural Diversity of Europe"

2003 France, Strasbourg "Towards a Just and Inclusive Europe"

2004 Germany, Loccum "Christian Values for a Multicultural Europe; Women's Perspective"

2005 Slovakia, Sväty Jur "The Challenge of Democracy"

2007 Netherlands, Huissen "Mamon and Money, Finance Capacity Building"

2008 France, Versailles "Interfaith Dialogue: Challenges, difficulties, perspectives"

2009 Sweden, Sigtuna "Women, Peace and Security – A Roadmap to UNs Resolution 1325"