NEWS FROM PAGAN FEDERATION INTERNATIONAL – NOVEMBER 2007
Highlight on Stichting (Foundation) PFI.

When the “district PFI” became an affiliated organisation of the PF in July 2006, PFI was also incorporated in a Foundation, registered in The Hague, the Netherlands. As such it became a legal entity. We have been present at a number of academic conferences and meetings during the last few months. But first what is Stichting PFI and what do we do apart from coordinating the activities of the PFI nations?

Some of the functions of the Foundation include:

• To promote inter-religious and intercultural dialogue and education. This also includes anti-defamation work; one of the grassroots functions of the PF. PFI is also a member of ESITIS (The European Society for Intercultural Theology and Inter-religious Studies). Regular conferences dealing with religious themes are being organised. Recently for example Raven represented PFI in Birmingham and I was at the RIPE conference in Rome. “Religious Pluralism”. See short extracts below.

• Organising and coordinating projects of an International character. (For example for the EU, Council of Europe) We are currently involved in the organisation of EYID 2008. (European Year of the Intercultural dialogue 2008. Recently we have also been working with the Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), which is an agency under the wings of the EU dealing with fundamental rights issues rising from religious violence, gay rights and women’s rights. They are also monitoring extreme right activism and ethno-nationalism. See extract of the report below.

• Working with other human rights organisations (for example UNITED in NL – anti-racism, etc)

• Dealing with international affairs – also from non-members – pagans in general. Looking at the more social aspects and legal position of pagans. Advisory task. We can’t give legal support, but can give information about similar cases for example in the UK & USA, where pagans have been involved in court cases.

• Contact with the Press/Media where necessary. PFI Nations handle local press.

• To coordinate the activities of the PFI Nations, including creating new PFI’s and the appointment and coaching of new NC’s

These are brief reports of some of the events being attended by representatives of Stichting PFI:

ESITIS Conference, ‘The Resurgence of Religion in Europe’ Birmingham, 11-13th April 2007 (Raven) - - -

This three day academic conference focused mainly upon the three major religions, Christianity, Islam and Judaism, and how they have seen a re-emergence in Europe and their implications for Religious Pluralism in Europe. However, not being an academic and being a practitioner of a faith, not a critical analyser of it, made me somewhat of an outsider and curiosity for the other participants. This I did not mind, as I was able to network and discuss an area of their studies that I do not think any of them had even considered. My discussions with others brought some fruition when one of the speakers included witchcraft and possession in relation to “Christian migrants and their theologies”, and I was able to demarcate differences in perceptions and beliefs of witchcraft in a Christian sense and that of the neo-pagan movement.

I am hoping that the suggestion made at the AGM for the next conference to consider “new spiritualities” will bear fruit and thus measure some progression. If not, it is enough that attending this conference led to Morgana and Saddie’s attendance at the RIPE21 event in Italy, and put us on the academic map as an emergent religion in Europe.

Public Hearing Fundamental Rights Agency, Brussels, 18th October 2007. (Anton)

It was very busy at the hearing, which was organised to gather information with regard to a coming proposal from the Agency of Fundamental Rights towards the European Parliament. Within this proposal the agency is asking for more power. The general impression form the attending NGO was that they had the feeling that such a big issue ‘Fundamental rights in Europe’ is handled by a very small agency. The agency, which was installed five years ago, agreed and stated that their main focus would be flexibility and follow ups. There is nothing more demoralising as having no achievements. Protecting fundamental rights is an important fight. Rights are not visible, but they do exist. We (PFI) as NGO (non- governmental organisation) have a part in this. Cultural and religious freedom is still a hot issue in some countries. Cooperating with other organisations, giving information to the public and integrating our beliefs would strengthen our position and such the position of for instance the agency. Their existence relies on the support of NGO’s.

R.i.p.e. Conference – (Religious Innovation and Pluralism in the 21st Century Europe) “Cultural Diversity And Religious Pluralism The Possible Dialogue In Europe” Rome, 19th-20 October 2007 (Morgana & Saddie)

Morgana and I took part in the Religious Innovation and Pluralism in the 21st Century Europe (RIPE) conference that took place in Rome. The idea was to scientifically examine the religious palette of the EU and explore the possibility of dialogue. Morgana’s talk on Paganism in general, and Wicca in particular was greeted with awe and a lot of enthusiasm. Scientists went out of their way to ask questions and most were amazed since they have not heard about the Pagan movement at all. They were so interested, that the questions kept on coming even at the dinner table. PFI did it again; Paganism is now being taken into consideration in these high-level discussions.

The next RIPE conference is being planned for Autumn 2008, in Hungary. However there will be other opportunities no doubt for the Foundation to attend and make a contribution. Watch this space!

Morgana, PF International Coordinator

www.paganfederation.org

morgana@paganfederation.org