Dear reader,
The past quarter has been an eventful one, especially when it comes to the decision of the United States Supreme Court regarding the "right to abortion". The US Constitution does not recognize this as a right. Laws about abortion must be made at the state level. No amount of outrage or opposition will change that fundamental fact, writes our US board member John Van Der Brink. People in the Netherlands are afraid that this decision will "blow over" which is evident from the attack made in the newspaper (NRC) against CCI.
Meskerem Ritmeester, our Policy & Advocacy Director Africa, and undersigner (Henk Jan van Schothorst) has been very active in making policy makers in the EU and ACP countries aware of the progressive ideology that is attempting to enshrine in trade treaties. We are working with the Driestar University of Applied Sciences to introduce the Wonderfully Made curriculum to African countries as an alternative to progressive comprehensive sexuality education. CCI also addressed the troubling provisons in the development of a WHO pandemic treaty.
At the United Nations in New York, the committee on Population and Development was followed. People there are trying to arrive at a joint document that is often unfavorable to pro-lifers, but Peter Smith discovered a good paragraph on national sovereignty.
CCI business network meetings were held both in the Netherlands, at Urk, and in the US, in New Jersey and Michigan. Pete Hoekstra, former US Ambassador to the Netherlands was the keynote speaker on two occasions. Riekelt Pasterkamp was present at all meetings as moderator. Thanks to Boudewijn Haase, President of Falk Panel, who was our host in Michigan.
We would like to introduce to you our representative in the USA, Mark den Hollander. A talented young man, who has been of great help in organizing the meetings in the USA. Thanks so much, Mark!
Furthermore, we continue to follow Païvi Räsänen who, although acquitted, has unfortunately been appealed against. We wish her much wisdom and strength and above all God's blessing.
As part of its support for the endangered Christian country of Armenia, CCI organized a business trip in cooperation with the Armenian government.
We have invested a lot lately and have received a lot of (financial) support. We appreciate this! It is important for us to know that we are not alone. Given the many issues that require our attention, staff expansion is still very much needed. We therefore hope for your (continued) support.
We wish you God's blessing from the bottom of our hearts.
With heartfelt greetings,
Henk Jan van Schothorst
Director Christian Council International