General Director of Evangelical Alliance calls for fresh approach to build respect
10 July 2006
Rev Joel Edwards, General Director of the Evangelical Alliance, has called on the Government to accept that a fresh approach is required in order for its Respect Action Plan to be successful and respect to be restored within society.
Edwards says, “Respect is a fundamental value that is vital to the wellbeing of every community. However, rather than focussing its strategy on simply the negative actions of a small minority the Government should highlight the positive contribution of the respectful majority of young people up and down the country.” Edwards was speaking as the Evangelical Alliance, in partnership with the African and Caribbean Evangelical Alliance and leading Christian youth organisations Youth for Christ, Crusaders and the Girls’ Brigade England and Wales, launched its second annual Champions of Respect awards.
Following on from the success of the inaugural awards in 2005, where Gemma Gibson was also presented with the Anthony Walker Memorial Prize for her pioneering community radio station, this year’s event aims to acknowledge young men and women that are acting as role models in their communities.
Edwards continued, “The absence of respect leads to a breakdown in relationships at every level of society. The Evangelical Alliance wants to challenge the negative stereotypes regularly associated with young people in Britain today. So often, people talk about drugs and gun crime in the same breath as young people. The Champions of Respect competition is all about celebrating the good things young people do in our communities.”
The Champions of Respect award winners will receive their prize from Trevor Phillips, the Chairman of the Commission for Racial Equality, as part of the Evangelical Alliance’s annual Temple Address, on 15 November 2006. This year the Temple Address will focus on diversity.
To be considered for a Champions of Respect award a young person or group between 10 and 25 needs to be nominated, by a youth leader, teacher or even a next-door neighbour. In short, someone who can vouch for their contribution to community harmony.
Project partner, Matt Summerfield, Executive Director of Crusaders, said: “We want to see a more positive image of young people presented in our world today. The Champions of Respect awards provide a fantastic chance to show what great things many young people do, often unsung, up and down the country.”
You can nominate someone for a Champions of Respect award online or contact the Evangelical Alliance on 0207 207 2100. The closing date for nominations is 30 September 2006.
The Respect campaign is an integral part of the Evangelical Alliance’s Values engagement and follows the previous themes of Forgiveness, Hope and Trust. Over the next 12 months the Respect campaign seeks to challenge the Government over the implementation of its Respect Action Plan and through an active citizen programme being developed for churches, help restore respect at the heart of community life.
Media Contact:
Lucy Cooper
Evangelical Alliance
020 7207 2107
l.cooper@eauk.org
Notes to editors: The Evangelical Alliance UK, formed in 1846, is an umbrella group representing over one million evangelical Christians in the UK and is made up of member churches, organisations and individuals. As part of a movement ‘uniting to change society’, the Alliance promotes unity and truth, acts as an evangelical voice to the state, society and the wider Church, and provides resources to help members and other evangelicals live out their faith in their communities.
