Columban Faith in Action Volunteer Programme
The 2026/27 programme, based in Birmingham, offers young adults a transformative year of faith formation. A year-long, it offers a unique opportunity to accompany disadvantaged communities while deepening personal faith and understanding of justice and peace. Mauricio Silva, Columban Interreligious Dialogue Co-ordinator in Britain, coordinates the programme along with James Trewby, Columban Justice and Peace Co-ordinator. He explains: “In a climate of mistrust and indifference toward the suffering of the most vulnerable, this year offers young people the opportunity to engage with and reflect on issues such as migration, dialogue, and environmental responsibility.” Contact: education@columbans.co.uk
Summer conferences
The National Justice and Peace Network 48th Annual Conference in Derbyshire on 24-26 July will help participants challenge disinformation and divisive rhetoric, change narratives, foster dialogue and encounter, and speak truth to power. Book at www.justice-and-peace.org.uk
Christians Aware’s annual summer school 26-31 July takes the theme: ‘Interconnected.’ It will look at Integral Ecology and the work of Thomas Berry, Vandana Shiva, Wangari Maathai and others. Contact 0116 254 0770.
Action: Refugee week
Refugee Week 2026 runs from 15–21 June, and this year has the theme ‘Courage.’ Catholic communities in the UK will celebrate by promoting solidarity, hosting events, and highlighting the contributions of refugees, aligning with Catholic Social Teaching to welcome and support displaced persons. It includes arts, education, and community events to foster understanding and inclusion. Find info at www.refugeeweek.org and www.jrsuk.net
Action: Lift the ban campaign
The Lift the Ban coalition calls on the Government to allow people seeking refugee status to have the right to work. People seeking asylum in the UK are only able to apply for the right to work after they have been waiting for a decision on their asylum claim for over a year. Even then, the few people who are granted permission are rarely able to work in practice. Download the ‘activism’ pack which gives suggestions about how to raise awareness and take action on this issue from www.lifttheban.co.uk.
Laudato Si Week
Each year, the global Church unites to celebrate Laudato Si’ Week – a time of prayer, reflection, and action inspired by Pope Francis’s encyclical. 17-24 May. Resources at www.laudatosiweek.org
Editorial List
James Trewby, Ellen Teague, Kevin McDonagh SSC, Ed O’Connell SSC, Anna Blackman, Jane Lavery, Fr. Joe Ryan, MaryAnne Francalanza fcJ
Front cover image – see Editorial