International Justice Camp Planning Well Underway

Planning is well underway for the first-ever international Justice Camp based in Matanzas, Cuba. "It is exciting to be into the details of program planning, working together in Spanish and English on a wide range of logistics," says Dr. Andrea Mann, director of global relations with the Anglican Church of Canada. "The camp is coming alive as plenary speakers and immersion leaders are confirmed."

With six months to go until the event happens next May, three immersion experiences have taken shape: economic justice, food-security, and social action. Several plenary sessions focussing on the Cuban social justice context are also planned. Programming and worship will incorporate cross-cultural practices. 

"It's transformative to interact with people from a different culture in a way that makes one both grateful for and thoughtful about our own culture (regional and national) and our particular justice issues," said Canon Christyn Perkons, one of the Canadian organizers. "I love the sharing of life stories that unfolds as relationships develop and how it becomes so apparent that our similarities as human beings transcend our differences."

The Justice Camp will bring together a diverse group of fifty Anglicans from Canada and Cuba to explore the concept of the common good as a way living into the reign of God. Those who are interested in applying can visit the program's website. The application deadline is November 20, 2015. 

Archdeacons Andreis Diaz Dorta and Halbert Pons Santana are lead organizers of the Justice Camp planning team which includes both Cuban and Canadian members. Canon Christyn Perkons, The Reverend Bill Mous and Dr. Andrea Mann traveled from Canada to Cuba for the intense three-day planning meeting. 

"It's been heartwarming for the Canadian planning team members to have been so unconditionally embraced by our Cuban planning team members and our Cuban hosts," said Canon Perkons. 

The week-long Justice Camp includes local immersion experiences, biblical reflection, worship, and relationship building. Through that time, participants inevitably form friendships and develop skills to become effective social justice leaders within their own local communities. 

There have been seven Justice Camps since the first was hosted in Winnipeg in 2005. This Justice Camp is an innovative joint initiative of the Diocese of Niagara and the Diocese of Cuba which are in a companion diocese relationship, along with The Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund and the Anglican Church of Canada.

"It's going to be an amazing week of active learning and partnership in serving God's mission locally and globally," concludes Mann.