Church Leader Urges Religious Role in Euro-Med Debate
Job van Lobenstein of the Conference of European Churches spoke at an Anna Lindh Foundation debate on religious pluralism in Morocco.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Christianity
Job van Lobenstein, Programme Officer for Dialogue and Advocacy at the Conference of European Churches, took part in the Anna Lindh Foundation debate in Tétouan, Morocco, on 28-29 October 2026. The event brought together religious leaders, researchers, practitioners and policymakers to discuss religious pluralism amid multi-dimensional crises.
Why it matters
The debate addressed how religious communities can contribute to peace and social cohesion across the Euro-Mediterranean region. Van Lobenstein's remarks highlighted the practical role churches play in humanitarian response and community support.
The debate was organised by the Anna Lindh Foundation and held on 28-29 October 2026 at the École Nationale des Sciences Appliquées de Tétouan. No specific numerical data on religious heritage contributions was reported, and the panel examples remain qualitative.
The players
Job van Lobenstein
Programme Officer for Dialogue and Advocacy at the Conference of European Churches, who spoke on the role of churches in humanitarian work and social development.
Anna Lindh Foundation
A Euro-Mediterranean intergovernmental organisation that promotes intercultural and interreligious dialogue across the region.
Conference of European Churches (CEC)
A fellowship of European Christian churches that works on dialogue, advocacy and peace initiatives across the continent.
The details
Van Lobenstein joined a panel on the role of religious heritage in social and economic development and drew on examples from Ukraine, the focus of the CEC's Pathways to Peace initiative. He also pointed to churches elsewhere that serve meals, care for older people and support refugees, and noted that religious sites in Ukraine have provided shelter and humanitarian aid.
Timeline
28-29 October 2026: Anna Lindh Foundation debate held at the École Nationale des Sciences Appliquées de Tétouan, Morocco.
Roadmap
The debate fits within the Anna Lindh Foundation's ongoing Euro-Mediterranean dialogue work, extending it to the role of religious communities. It reflects a broader effort to treat faith-based organisations as partners in addressing regional crises.
Readers following interfaith cooperation can see how churches and other religious bodies participate in humanitarian work and dialogue initiatives. The debate's examples show that faith-based services such as meals, elder care and refugee support can reach communities directly.
The takeaway
Faith-based organisations are increasingly recognised as partners in peacebuilding and social care across Europe and the Mediterranean. Readers interested in this work can follow dialogue programmes that bring religious and civic actors together.
Further reading
For more on how faith communities shape public life, explore our Christianity coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Ceceurope.
