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MECC MINUTES ON ADVISORY PARTNERS MEETING |
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The MECC partners’ meeting was scheduled to take place in Lebanon (May 12 – 13, 2008). Due to the deteriorating fierce gun battles raged in Beirut on the 6th of May between the different political parties, the venue was changed to Jordan, because some of the partners were already in Amman participating in the DSPR round table. After having the MECC General Secretary consulted some Executive members in Lebanon on the situation, the final decision was to move the meeting to Amman and consider it as “advisory informal” partners meeting. The meeting therefore took place at the Rosary Sisters’ Visitation Home, Fheis, Jordan, on May 11th from 2 – 8 Pm. Present from the partners in the meeting were representatives of: Church of Sweden, FinChurchAid, NCC of Australia, PCUSA, CWS NewZealand, CWS USA, WCC, NCA, and partially ICCO (late arrival). While MECC was represented by: General Secretary, International Ecumenical Relations director, Finance Secretary, Director of Damascus office, and Director of Amman office and Education and Leadership Development Unit. (List of names is annexed)
The new agenda for the meeting was set by the participants to include the following items: ü General Secretary Address to partners ü Proposal for a new formal partners meeting in 2008 ü ICNDR issue and recent development (consultant report) ü MECC emergency plan in the case of Lebanon ü MECC 4-years plan of action (overview) ü MECC Financial situation (briefing)
The participants agreed at the first instance on considering this meeting in Jordan as an “informal advisory” partners meeting. Therefore, all the outcome suggestions will be considered as “recommendations” which should be shared and circulated for feed-back to other partners who were not able to be present or apologized.
Participants agreed on proposing a new time for a formal MECC partners meeting which is: 20 – 21 November 2008 (19 arrival – 22 departure), and the priority venue is: Lebanon. This suggestion will be shared with all partners for feed-back.
Session 1: Moderated by Ms Liv Steimoeggen 1) MECC General Secretary address Paper: The MECC General Secretary, Mr Guirgis Saleh, addressed the participants in presenting his paper in which he highlighted the role of MECC in the midst of the different conflicts and confrontations in the Middle East. He stressed on the vitality of maintaining the Christian presence and witness in the Middle East in spite of the dwindling of their numbers. The GS referred to the outcomes of the MECC General Assembly (November 2007) in electing new Presidents, re-electing the General Secretary, and in providing the platform for restructuring and action plan. The Executive Committee, the GS reported, discussed and approved the new MECC structure for one transitional period of time, approved the four years plan of action. The GS referred to the aims and motivations of restructuring, as well as to the decisions of the Executive Committee in reference to the work of the Council. The GS concluded his report with some suggestions and plans he foreseen as important for the work of the Council. (The full text of the report is attached to this minute).
2) MECC Emergency Proposed Plan: In the case the Lebanon insecure situation will continue after this meeting, participants suggested setting up an “emergency plan” to secure the function of MECC in Lebanon and other countries. It is proposed to establish a “crisis group” which may include Lebanese staff to follow up with the General Secretary. In response, the MECC General Secretary’s priority was to return to Lebanon as soon as it is possible and in any possible way to supervise the work from the Beirut Headquarter office. The second priority is to function from Egypt. (The GS indeed returned safely on May 12th to Beirut via Damascus after long hours’ trip by car). Participants were informed that administrative function of MECC including the finance can be secured from Egypt in case of emergency plan is applied. Most of the partners who were present in this meeting confirmed their support to an emergency plan through ACT Intl. Some declined from a possibility to support. The PCUSA offered an amount of (10.000) US$ as undesignated fund for the ongoing operation of MECC in such turbulent situation. Participants also asked for regular update flow of information to be circulated to them from MECC.
3) ICNDR report and situation: Although it was agreed that the ICNDR issue should not be discussed in details with the absence of the several stakeholders: ICNDR director, MECC Executive Committee members, ICNDR Board, and the Consultant; yet, the discussions went on four main questions: - what was the latest development in ICNDR, - how was the reception of the Consultant’s report from MECC and partners, - what are the suggestions to cover the deficit of ICNDR 2007, - and how to maintain the continuation work of ICNDR in 2008. Liv Steimoeggen briefed the participants about the latest development with regard the situation of ICNDR and the report of the Consultant which was circulated to all partners.
MECC General Secretary affirmed the stand of MECC in accepting and endorsing the report of the Consultant on ICNDR, and affirmed the stand of the MECC Executive Committee as suite. In her last email before this meeting, the ICNDR director affirmed also her acceptance.
On the other hand, partners need to send their feed-back to the report of the Consultant as soon as possible.
Discussion took place on the previous deficit of ICNDR 2007 which is almost (100.000) US$, and which was the result of the unavailability of fund from partners to ICNDR in 2007, and how urgent it would be to pay these funds back to MECC who loaned the ICNDR this amount from its general MECC budget. The pledges were presented which showed that many partners had pledged but not paid. Rev Victor Makari recommended three proposed points for further discussion and sharing with other partners as well as MECC:
In another session, participants provided their inputs of notes and recommendations on the ICNDR report of the Consultant Mr Gregory Hess. The following are the notes which all partners are encouraged to send their feed-back or come up with other issues. (Notes on the report are annexed to this minute).
4) MECC Four Years Plan of Action: Mr Razek Siriani, Director of MECC International Ecumenical Relations presented in power point an overview of the four years plan of activities that the MECC is proposing and was approved by the Executive Committee. Further discussion went on the following points: - Possibility of changing some of plans because of the changing political and insecure situations in the region (Lebanon is an example). - Dialogue with partners about the results of some of the major activities such as: Christian-Muslim dialogue - Despite the recent exceptional situation in Lebanon, partners are encouraged to commit themselves to the MECC budget according to signed agreements and pledges. - In the next formal partners, MECC is asked to present the new structure in a more simplified way. - It is advisable that in the next formal partners meeting (November), MECC Units, Departments and Programs present its activities and plan in terms of: vision, general aims, specific objectives, activities related to these objectives, and assessments and evaluation.
5) MECC Financial Situation: Ms Vivian Lorenzo, MECC Finance Secretary briefed the participants on MECC financial budget 2008, and the pledges. Report showed that some partners have pledged but did not send yet their fund. It is suggested to encourage partners to send their fund earlier in the year so that MECC can manage its function without a financial crisis. It is also suggested that at least a two-year agreement be implemented from both sides: partners and MECC to secure funding on time.
Minutes taken by: Razek Siriani MECC/IER Director May 16, 2008
ANNEX I List of Participants Mr Guirgis Saleh, MECC General Secretary Ms. Vivian Lorenzo, Finance Secretary, Mr. Razek Siriani, Director of the Ecumenical International Relations, Engineer Samer Laham, Director of Damascus Liaison office and coordinator of the Unit on Diakonia and Social Justice Ms Wafa Ghoussous, Director of the Unit on Leadership Education and Development, and Director of Amman Liaison office
Present also was the chairperson of the Finance Committee, Dr. Audeh Sweiss.
Present from Partners were: Ms. Patricia Garcia, representing the National Council of Churches in Australia-CWS Ms. Maritta Niskanen-Tamiru, Representing FinchurchAid Ms. Liv Steimoeggen, Representing the Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) Ms Trish Murray, Representing the Christian World Service (CWS-NZ) Mr. David Axelson-Fisk and Ms. Ulrika Persson Representing the Church of Sweden Mr. Michel Nseir, Representing the World Council of Churches (WCC) Rev. Dr. Victor Makari, Representing the Presbyterian Church of USA (PCUSA) Mr. Steve Weaver, Representing the World Church Service-USA Mr. Feije Dulm, representing ICCO-Kerkinectia/Global ministries PCN, could not attend the meeting as he arrived Monday early morning.
ANNEX II REPORT OF MECC GENERAL SECRETARY Dear Partners and Colleagues,
It gives me great pleasure to welcome you again this year on behalf of the Middle East Council of Churches. We meet today in Lebanon, during a critical period of its history that we hope will end peacefully. Since our last partners’ meeting in May 2007 much has happened. A year has passed since we have met, and trust to attain all together the aim of this meeting. It was a great honor for me to be re-elected as General Secretary for another mandate, even though this time I am under heavy feeling of undertaking stronger responsibilities. Throughout our discussion, we will try to localize the reasons of success and failures of the Council and what are the challenges the Council is still facing and which block our mission. As you all know, the Council is present in the Middle East region, which is a vast reservoir of human and spiritual resources, it is also a region that suffers from more than its share of political crises, violent confrontations, social breakdowns, and economic misery. The Middle East also is the region where Christ was born and where the Middle East Council of Churches brings together Christians of all backgrounds: Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Evangelical and Catholic to work together for the glory of God in the region. In the Middle East region, the Christian Presence is one of the hottest issues that the churches are facing.. And the role of the ecumenical movement is crucial to affirm Middle Eastern Christian integrity and hope. The practical agenda that Christians and their Churches have to develop should deal with how to keep their young people in the region, especially those in the age groups at highest risk of emigration. Activation of young members of Churches and their involvement in the affairs of their community is an approach that must be encouraged.
During the past four years, the General Secretariat strove to take into consideration several matters, from the Eighth General Assembly until the Ninth General Assembly in Paphos:
The Ninth General Assembly (26-30/11/2007) Paphos - Cyprus Under the theme: “So we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us” (2 Corinthians 5:20), Heads and Leaders of Churches in the Middle East, representatives of member churches (Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Catholics and Evangelicals), former Executive Committee members, partners, guests, staff and media assembled at the MECC 9th General Assembly in Paphos/Cyprus (26 – 30 November 2007). PS: this General Assembly was unique with the participation of most of the Church Leaders. The Assembly was marked with the nomination of the four Presidents: His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy Apostolic Armenian Orthodox Church of Cilicia (representing the Oriental Orthodox family of Churches), His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III, Patriarch of Jerusalem & (representing the Orthodox family of Churches), His Eminence Archbishop Boulos Matar, Archbishop of the Maronite Church in Beirut (representing the Catholic family of Churches), Rev. Dr. Safwat el-Bayadi, President of the Evangelical Churches in Egypt (representing the Evangelical family of Churches).
The Assembly nominated also the twenty representatives from the four families of Churches, who will constitute the new Executive Committee, which met in Lebanon (5 - 6 March 2008).
Many letters and messages from international and regional partners, organizations, and individuals; both Christians and Muslims were received by the Assembly.
In the final communiqué, the Churches present at the Assembly reaffirmed their commitment to unity and their fellowship through the Middle East Council of Churches through prayers, dialogue, and services. The Assembly highlighted the importance of the Christian Presence in the Middle East and the dialogue with the Muslims, as well as their commitment to the restructuring of the Middle East Council of Churches. The Churches expressed their great concern about various land occupations and the perpetuation of the sufferings of the people caused by injustices and wars. The Churches highlighted the special anguish of Christians in Iraq and their forced emigrations from their homeland. They addressed the Annapolis Middle East Conference pleading for a just peace in the region and for the return of the legitimate rights of the Palestinians. The Assembly of Churches is looking forward to the day when the people in the Middle East can live in peace, harmony, and dignity. The Churches called on the Palestinians, the Lebanese and the Iraqis to strive for the safety and the integrity of their respective countries. They urge them to embrace dialogue, and to overcome hatred and violence. They highly appreciated the contribution of the Church of Cyprus in facilitating and hosting this Assembly.
The Executive Committee Meeting (5&6/3/2008) and the Restructuring Process Today, and in front of the unique challenges facing all people in the Middle East (Christian and Muslim), it was inevitable for the Council to review its structure and programs, which were adopted since its inception (34 years ago), in order to preserve the uniqueness of its presence and service in the Middle East, to face the current challenges and respond to the requirements of our time. Even though, many positive observations about the work of the Council can be gathered based on the results of some of its programs.
The purposes of the restructuring are to establish the basic objectives for MECC as a whole in order to give guidance and priorities to its various activities and programs. Pressures for change have been many pushing MECC to find ways in order to be able to respond to current problems and difficulties, not least of which is the financial one. This revision that lasted two years, strives to preserve the Council's identity, aims and continuation of its service taking in consideration the situation of the Churches' interaction with each other today, both at the local and regional levels, and the programs it should seek to accomplish that will not be in conflict with the Churches' work, also for its role to be pioneering and service empowering instead of becoming itself an executing organization in place of the member Churches of which it is originally formed. Therefore, several points were put in front of us during the restructuring procedure: 1- Simplification of the Council's administrative structure so as to realize a greater amount of coordination and good performance, with the realization of the aims. 2- Reducing the expenses in the amount that reduces the Council's budget. 3- Taking benefit from the system of part time work for specific tasks, so as to be able to make use of their services and experiences in the execution of a program. 4- Decreasing the number of full time employees, including program directors, secretariat and services.
What is important about our exercise in general, is how we as a Council of Churches can participate in developing and clarifying the Council's future role in the region, in ways that meet the expectations of the faithful, the Church Leaderships, and the needs of the Churches, and how the Council, through and in cooperation with the Churches, can create ecumenical awareness on the local ecclesiastical level in general. Therefore, the Executive Committee at their last meeting (5-6/3/2008) discussed the issues of ownership of member churches to the Council, the cost of administration, the relationships with the partners, the latest development of ICNDR, and the restructuring process. The following decisions and recommendations were reached: 1- Approved the new proposed structure of the Council for a “One Year Trial Period”. During this period the council will test the new structure, assess its impact on the work and report back to the executive Committee in March 2009. 2- The new structure has changed the concept of the three major Units and Departments as follows: - The Faith & Unity is changed to “Faith & Unity and Christian Presence”, under which ATIME remains a separate entity. - “Education & Renewal” is changed to “Education & Leadership Development” under which come the Youth, Women, Family Education, & Schools, the Human Resources Development, and the Formation on Human Rights. - “Life & Service” is changed into “Diakonia & Social Justice”, under which, come service to refugees, migrants and uprooted, as well as advocacy for social justice”. - “The Christian Muslim Dialogue Program” remained attached directly to the General Secretariat. - “Programs of Special Nature & Emergency”: DSPR, ICNDR*, ERS.
· The MECC/ICNDR structure is still under study. The Executive Committee approved the suggestion to study the status of the ICNDR, in coordination with the Norwegian Church Aid and ACT. To this end, an independent Consultancy was proposed to establish the status of the ICNDR, by investigating its program work, organizational capacity and structure. Anyway, The ICNDR issue will be tackle in length at the ICNDR half day special session. 3- The remaining Departments related to the General Secretariat are: Communication, Finance, Planning, Evaluation and Follow-up, International Ecumenical Relations, and Enhancing Fundraising. 4- The Executive Committee approved also the 4-year Plan of Action provided that it does not contradict the new structure. The Executive Committee decided on the following Finance Policy: a. Increase Church membership fees to the Council from 10 to 20%. b. Enforce participation fees on all the activities of the Council. c. Encourage joint meetings with member churches. d. Encourage more in kind donations from local churches. e. The Executive Committee to cover the costs of travel as was the case at the General Assembly. f. Enhance Local Fundraising g. Encourage more Free Lancer basis staff h. Adding to the Associate General Secretary the responsibility of a Department Director, which will save some administrative costs. i. The Executive Committee nominated the members of the Commissions of Units and Departments from within the Executive Committee members, and decided to add one day to its meetings dedicated to the meetings of the Commissions of the Units and Departments in order to save costs. All of the aforementioned led me to put before you several challenges that our Council faces, and I will mention some points about my future vision for the Council. I am working also on the following future Suggestions: 1- I demand to form a committee from members of the Executive Committee, from the four Families of Churches, in each one of the countries to cooperate with the General Secretary in the process of local financing from businesspersons and people interested in the success of ecumenical work. 2- After obtaining the approval of the Church Leaders, that one Sunday be designate and called the day of the Middle East Council of Churches, during which the donations go to the Council. May be it is useful to have the sermon mention the importance of the presence of this Council in this holy land. 3- To encourage Christians from the Middle East who are abroad to donate to the Council, explaining its importance. This is also one way of binding the Middle Eastern Christians abroad and in the region, involving them in supporting the ecumenical work and confirming the Christian presence. 4- To urge our partners in the West to help in launching the books that the Council produces, especially the ones on Christians in the Middle East. 5- To urge and encourage the member Churches to donate to the Council, be that financially or by offering, for free, places for its activities or also not to charge rent for the Council offices in some countries. 6- It is necessary to have a nominal participation fee for all participants in the activities of the Council, especially in the regional activities as the costs of travel and accommodation are quite expensive for the Council. 7- To put emphasis on the number of the regional committees' meetings and approval of holding them in the country having most of the members. 8- To adopt the principle of working by piece instead of those working part time, as this reduces the monthly financial burden. 9- To request the Churches of the region that any ecumenical work be under the umbrella of the Middle East Council of Churches.
Conclusion: The Council is committed to fulfill the aims it was established for, and which are stated in the Constitution:
- Provision of humanitarian services, which embody the common concern all member churches have towards all people and all creation fulfilling thus their witness to God’s justice and peace worldwide.
- Enhancement of Christian presence to enable people be steadfast. Enjoy freedom, peace and equality in national rights and duties.
- Promotion and support of a Systematic Christian-Muslim Dialogue aimed at creating mutual understanding for the consolidation of peace and good relations among peoples for the benefit of Humanity.
- Developing and organize local and international human and financial resources to support the service of Middle Eastern Churches. This involves consultation with the supporting agencies and partners churches abroad.
- It is within our interest at MECC to establish good relationships with most of the International Ecumenical organizations and Councils, which may enhance and develop better understanding about Christians in the Middle East, support and advocate for the affiliated fragile issues that face the churches in the region, especially regarding the Palestinian and the Iraqi problems, as well as the issue of immigration.
The past four years witnessed also several visits by International ecumenical delegations. They visited Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Palestine, Iran and Iraq.
To end, I wholeheartedly ask God in these blessed days to bring peace to the wounded Iraq, to stop the bleeding in the Gaza Strip, to give back to the Palestinian people their rights to live in peace, and to lead the minds and hearts of the leaders in Lebanon to have a one and wise opinion. Once again, I am glad to welcome you, hoping these few days together will be days to review the work of our Council.
Amman, 11/5/2008
Guirguis Ibrahim Saleh General Secretary The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)
ANNEX III Notes from partners on the ICNDR Consultant’s report
Comments & notes as outcomes from the informal partners meeting on ICNDR's draft report prepared by the consultant Gregory Hess May 11, 2008
The MECC informal partners meeting which took place in Amman – Jordan (May 11, 2008), reviewed briefly the draft report of the consultant Mr Gregory Hess which was circulated to concerned partners on the issue of ICNDR. Present in this meeting were representatives of the Church of Sweden, FinChurchAid, NCC of Australia, PCUSA, CWS NewZealand, CWS USA, WCC, NCA, and partially ICCO (late arrival). The MECC was represented by: General Secretary, IER director, Finance Secretary, Director of Damascus office, Director of Amman office and ELD. It is decided that the notes taken from the participants be circulated to the Consultant and the partners for feed-back and comments. The following are the notes taken from the meeting on the report of the Consultant: Page 10 of the report: “Technical Advisors” (Who appoints the technical advisors?) * MECC GS affirmed that they will be appointed by MECC four families of member churches taking into consideration the criteria of their experiences & knowledge. * some partners suggested to have them as "neutral" persons who have experiences & knowledge in relief & development, but not necessarily appointed by MECC member churches.
Page 12 of the report: “MECC General Secretary Responsibilities – External Relations” * It is important to make sure not to see duplications between the General Secretary’s external relations tasks mentioned in the report and the ICNDR board’s tasks on external relation mentioned in page 9. Coordination should be clarified in the report.
Page 13: “ICNDR Director Responsibilities – Financial Management” (Who will revise the budget?) This question must be clarified in the report as well as fixing time during the year for the revision of the budget. Page 13: “ICNDR Director Responsibilities” Why is it within the responsibilities of ICNDR director to report to GS and the board of ICNDR at the same time as two separate entities, although the GS is an Ex Officio member on the board? The suggestion is to see more coherencies in this matter. The GS should be also noted for instance in "articulating the strategy…." in item “Leadership and Strategy Page 14: “MECC Finance Secretary Responsibilities” It is preferable to phrase item 2 by saying: “To make sure for FS to maintain the bookkeeping…." Page 15: “Finance Process” The question again is: (who is making a decision on the revised budget?) It should be noted that the revised budget process should not be done after spending the money. Page 17: “Recommendations – General comments” * It is urgent to inject funds to ICNDR as it is noted in this item * It is suggested that ICNDR begins the process of strategic planning with financial support from some funding partners before the next partners meeting which will take place in November 2008 ( in principle). The ICNDR Strategic Plan should be ready by that time. Page 15: “Recommendations - No 5” It is suggestion here to rephrase the title of this item to be: "Implications of ICNDR/MECC Relations". The reason of change is to make it more neutral. General recommendations on the report: * It is suggested that the ICNDR creates a communication office to communicate with partners and others about its activities. * To make the voice of the beneficiaries in decision making and designing the projects of ICNDR clear and active. * The Strategic Plan should include: code of conducts, accountability of principles. * To share the feed-back of these recommendations to the consultant Gregory Hess for comments and notes. * To share the minutes of the informal MECC partners meeting on ICNDR to partners and ACT. * To engage in a special "conference call" between partners, MECC staff, and ICNDR director on May 22 or 23 around 9:00 am Geneva time – 10:00 am Beirut time, and be coordinated from Geneva by Mr Michael Zschiegner of ACT and Ms Liv Steimoeggen of NCA.
Notes taken by: Razek Siriani, MECC/IER Director
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