The Synergy Network brought together a roomful of Church leaders, Christian youth workers and parachurch organisations today at St Marks Church, Kennington, London to discuss what the churches can (and should be doing) to combat serious youth violence. The meeting was called as a result of the killing of 15-year-old-student Elianne Andam in Croydon, and two others in London since that tragedy.
The meeting, which was packed, aimed to showcase the good practice that is taking place, especially in London, and to sign-post the churches to those organisations in attendance, so that they can get involved in this life-saving work. The keynote speakers were Jason O’Shea from Operation Forgiveness and Jennifer McDermott from Cassandra Centre who spoke passionately about their efforts to transform the lives of those caught up in lifetsyles that are dangerous.
The attendees also heard about the Synergy Network’s plans to call on the British Government to declare serious youth violence a ‘public health’ issue, akin to what took place in Glasgow over a decade ago. The Synergy Network has developed a petition which it is encouraging churches, community groups and Christians to sign in order to get a change of track to tackle serious youth violence. The Synergy Network also plans to assemble a group of senior Church and community leaders who will walk together to 10 Downing Street to present this petition at the Prime Minister’s door.
