Churches for Middle East Peace Advocacy Conference
A pilot project initiative of leadership and advocacy training in conjunction with the Churches for Middle East Peace Conference. This event will consist of Episcopal Church focused formation, leadership and advocacy training. Participants will then get to take part in the Churches for Middle East Peace Conference. This conference is presented and attended by passionate faith advocates for Middle East Peace and will be an educational and transformative experience for all.
Women and men between the ages of 18 and 30 from across the Episcopal Church are invited to apply for this exciting opportunity. Participants will be expected to arrive on Saturday, May 21, 2011 for training and orientation and should plan to depart on May 25, 2011.
Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) is a coalition of 24 national Church denominations and organizations in Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant traditions. CMEP helps church organizations, leaders and individuals nationwide advocate in a knowledgeable, timely, balanced, and effective way to express their concerns about justice and peace for all peoples in the region. CMEP activists, board and staff engage directly with policy makers at every level.
The Episcopal Church partners with CMEP to support a comprehensive solution that will bring lasting peace and justice to the region, including a negotiated peace agreement, establishing security for the State of Israel, creating a viable independent Palestinian state, and reaching an agreement on Jerusalem that allows the city to be shared by Israelis and Palestinians, and open to Jews, Christians and Muslims. In addition, peace in the Middle East strengthens U.S. security and is a vital national interest.
The Episcopal Church, in its continued collaboration to advocate for Middle East Peace, participates in this conference by attending and involving individuals and organizations in the Advocacy Conference. This is the first year that the Episcopal Church is organizing a group of young adult attendees for this event, which draws Middle East peace advocates from around the world. It is a remarkable opportunity to:
- learn about the Episcopal Church polity and policy,
- learn how the church participates in advocacy at the federal level,
- learn about the complex issues surrounding Middle East peace,
- develop skills and knowledge to use in diocese, churches, and communities around the country
Applicants are expected to arrive in Washington, DC on the above dates and participate in trainings and the events of the conference. Prior to arrival, there will be a series of preliminary conference calls in preparation for the Commission and all delegates will need to be available to participate. Delegates will be expected to fundraise a portion of the event cost, including airfare and a recommended $30/day for meals. Participants will also prepare a final report after the Conference detailing their experiences.
