In 1964, the World Council of Churches created the then Churches’ Committee on Migrant Workers in Europe, to find churches’ responses to the guest worker programmes in Western Europe at the time. Migration is internationally defined as crossing the borders and living in another country than one’s own for a year, therefore, Beyond Borders seems to be the appropriate title to celebrate the 50th anniversary of CCME.

“Migration is of course not a new phenomenon; it has existed throughout the history of humankind,” said Doris Peschke, General Secretary of CCME. “In recent history however, crossing borders from outside the European Union has become rather difficult and risky, while inside the EU citizens and long-term residents have the right to move to another EU country. Thus we see both, progress and setbacks with regard to migration in Europe”.

CCME started in Geneva in 1964, and became an own ecumenical association based in Brussels in 1978. In 1999, CCME became the Ecumenical Agency on migration and integration, asylum and refugees, and against racism and discrimination in Europe. Its members are Anglican, Orthodox and Protestant Churches in Europe, as well as Ecumenical Councils of Churches and diaconal and church-related agencies specialising on migration ministries.

Participants from across Europe will gather in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, 27-28 March 2014 to recall the past, and to look at the challenges for the future work. Church President Volker Jung, President of the EKD Commission on Migration and Integration, will give a sermon in the worship on 27 March and welcome the paricipants.

Further information:
Doris Peschke, CCME General Secretary, Tel: +49 173 5741620.