CHURCHES IN BRIEF
Justitia et Pax: nationalism and xenophobia alarm "The Conference of the 31 commissions Justitia et Pax in Europe calls upon policy makers at all levels and actors of civil society to take a joint stand in their firm reaction against the growth of racism and xenophobia in Europe. "This is the aim of the annual initiative of Justitia et Pax Europe launched February 18 with the document "Against the nationalism of exclusion." The phenomenon that should be monitored and combated is "the considerable success of political parties with nationalist programs" both at the national and European elections of last May. "Many people, worried for an uncertain future, are being persuaded with simplistic words and with a propaganda against migrants and the European Union, that give no answer to current challenges of our times", is the denunciation of the Archbishop of Luxembourg, President of Justitia et Pax Europe Jean-Claude Hollerich. "The goal of these parties and movements couldn’t be simpler: political and economic power, without service to the poor, to the weak or disadvantaged in society." The document points out that "for Christians the nation cannot be the supreme value" and that "justice and universal peace leave no room for chauvinism", while they "encourage solidarity and respect for everyone": "authentic national interest is best protected within the larger context of the common universal good." Spain/1: youth project, work and volunteering The Confederation of the Don Bosco Youth Centres in Spain presented the project "Reconoce" (Recognize), an initiative aimed at putting at the centre of attention – as Giovanni Bosco once did – the working conditions of youths. Nowadays the serious situation regards the difficulties experienced by young people in accessing a dignified and quality job, accompanied by a worrying rate of youth unemployment, higher than 50% in Spain. Don Bosco – the promoters said – "would probably take this problem seriously and would focus efforts on changing this situation." Also the Don Bosco Confederation is worried about this problem, and the first step is to highlight that the work carried out by volunteer workers, in addition to improving the lives of other youths and children, enables them to acquire a set of capabilities, which increase their employment potential. The survey "the situation of youth volunteering and employment: skills and job potential", presented in Madrid, shows that volunteering increases the chances of finding a job. The research conducted by the Confederation of Don Bosco Youth Centers, the Didania Federation and the Asde Scouts in Spain, enjoys the contribution of the specialized consultant "Voluntariado y Estrategia" (Volunteering and Strategy). It falls within the project "Reconoce", aimed at enhancing the experience of volunteering in youth and leisure associations and improve the job potentials of young people. For this reason, the "Reconce" network enjoys the support of the Institute for Youth in Spain (Injuve), which conveyed its interest in recognizing the work of volunteers in the framework of non-formal education, and of Spain’s Youth Council. Spain/2: a "plan for the family" 2015/2018The Institute for the Family and Minors of the Community of Madrid is working on a plan for the family that will be in force from 2015 al 2018. The plan includes family planning and sexual education, formation and information of young people and adolescents in the field of sexual and reproductive health along with the participation of middle and high schools in government campaigns for sexual education and prevention of unwanted pregnancies. Alicia Rubio, in charge of "Free to educate", an initiative born within Professionals for Ethics, has contacted Madrid’s institution for the family and the child as well as the Department for Education, reminding that affective and sexual education cannot be imparted legally without the parents’ consent. "Spanish legislation and international agreements signed by Spain clearly point out that national and local administrations should ensure parents’ rights to educate their children according to their moral or philosophical beliefs. Parents should now authorize the education given to children, those who impart it and give them written consensus", Rubio said. Furthermore, the responsible of "Free to educate" pointed out that affective and sexual education imparted in public education centres responds to values and behaviours that are not shared by all parents, this is why there cannot be a single behavioural model for youths. "To this should be added that the effectiveness of this kind of sexual education is scientifically questionable, since it brings no result regarding indicators they aim to decrease, such as abortion among adolescents."
