Forum for Leadership and Reconciliation: May 2015

Thursday 21 May 2015

We Need Your Support

Dear Family of Friends,

Thank you for your continuing prayers and support. They are making a big difference in the quality and growth of our ministry. In 2014, we were able to go forward with four major leadership and reconciliation programs: Renewing Our Minds Gathering (ROM), and Economic Diplomacy and Integrity Forum (EDI) in Fužine, Croatia, Forum Regathering in Fruška Gora near Novi Sad, Serbia, and EDI Transylvania in Sighisoara, Romania; as well as the continuation of our on-going Regional Representative support for participants across Southeast Europe (Balkans).

Although our ROM work is in its 17^th year, since we reorganized into the new Forum for Leadership and Reconciliation organization three years ago, we have witnessed a notable progress in our donor base. Because of this and thanks to your support we were able to complete the year 2014 achieving almost 100% of our set goals for the year. In 2015, with your help, we are moving forward with the following projects and programs:

1. Renewing Our Minds Gathering 2015 (ROM), leadership and reconciliation gathering in Fužine, Croatia;

2. Economic Diplomacy and Integrity Forum 2015 (EDI), leadership conference for business professionals in Fužine, Croatia.

3. Middle East Leadership and Reconciliation Seminar “Building Peace Through Friendship” in Jordan.

4. Economic Diplomacy and Integrity seminars in Albania and Romania.

5. Completion of the process of establishing seven to eight regional representatives in the Balkan region.

Mihaela Kovacs speaks at the 2014 Forum Regathering, Serbia

People like you understand the profound need for the transformational work in the lives of the hundreds of young leaders internationally. Thank you for partnering with us in this important ministry of reconciliation and development of leaders transformed by the person of Jesus. Our work is becoming increasingly more important and is desperately needed in a world that is becoming more and more fragile and in need of peace.

We continue to need your continued support. Help us reach our objectives for the year 2015. Your gifts and prayers are making a difference around the world.

May the Lord Jesus fill your heart and the hearts of your family with joy and abundant blessings!

Martha S. Weiss, Chairwoman, Forum for Leadership and Reconciliation

Tihomir Kukolja, Executive Director, Forum for Leadership and Reconciliation

Monday 11 May 2015

Economic Diplomacy and Integrity Forum Moves to Albania

Photos: Ona Eri

The first EDI - Economic Diplomacy and Integrity Forumin Albania was a big success. Inspired by the long history of EDI Forum in Croatia and a more recent history of EDI seminars in Romania, EDI Albania went about creating a true movement of change.

80 participants from business, economy, politics, education, law, engineering and other areas of Albanian society joined together to speak about principles of Jesus in business and economy, and how one could follow Jesus in the environment of widespread corruption. The Forum took lasted for two and a half days in the Hotel Doro City, Tirana; from March 27^th through the 29^th.

The 2015 EDI Albania sought to encourage participants to follow Jesus closely in their businesses and professional lives. Erjona Kulla from Tirana directed EDI Albania in partnership with the Christian Young Entrepreneurs & Professionals Partnership for Integrity, ECPM – European Christian Political Movement, the Wilberforce Foundation, Sotmeria, NeJ Foundation, and the SGP Party of the Netherlands, as well as with Forum for Leadership and Reconciliation from USA.

Participants were encouraged by Jack Fallow, former CEO of UK Gas Force; Lars Rise, ex-MP of Norway; Maria van Oost, SGP General Secretary, and local speakers who gave professional advice and taught from the perspective of Jesus. Participants were eager to discuss the presentation in small groups and workshops. They discussed about how to follow Jesus outside the church walls - in their careers, politics and business. A follow-up meeting is planned for May 22, and then other follow-ups, one every three months.

Justin Kagin, EDI Forum Director

Video Feature

Meet the Renewing Our Minds Core Group Leaders: Heather Staff is a director for the youth leadership board of Christians in Politics UK. She is a legal associate with a conflict resolution think tank and a consultant with the Westminster Foundation for Democracy. She works on Conflict resolution, human rights, political engagement and rule of law programs. Heather is a regular speaker at events around the UK and Europe and a panelist for national and international media. She is often on Christian media channels UCB, TWR, TBN. Most importantly she is a committed follower of Jesus. Heather Staff serves also in the Renewing Our Minds Core Leadership team. She was also one of the key speakers at the 2017 ROM Gathering in Fuzine, Croatia, and at other ROM events in the past few years. This is what she said about the ROM Gathering 2017.