Treasure in Earthen Vessels [antikvár]

Two Letters of Greeting The theory and practice of pastoral care and counselling have changed impressively during past decades - similar to those of other disciphnes. We recognize more consciously differences and diversity connected to the context of the systems involved and their respective historical development. At the same time, those who offer counselling and care also acknowledge themes which are relevant and meaningful for all women and men, for elderly and younger persons, around the world like the bases of life, survival, safety, shelter, trust, education, health, free development of possibilities and beliefs, chance and compensation for work within community and globalization. These aspects are important for each person, all families and societies. In the discussion on changes in climate and their consequences we realize that by the destruction of life foundations, not only individual species or humans are threatened but all living beings. Therefore, also in care and counselling, systemic and intercultural thinking becomes more relevant which sees events and historical developments in their connectedness and in their diversity. In its constitution and vision, ICPCC, the International Council on Pastoral Care and Counselling, has addressed the awareness of global development and formulated the mission to promote the reflective practice of pastoral care and counselling, to enable practitioners of pastoral care and counselling to be resources for one another and allow for mutual, interdisciplinary exchange, to address social-political problems and to support and advocate for the unique and essential dimension of spirituality in the teaching and training of pastoral care and counselling. The eighth World congress of ICPCC from August 7-14, 2007 has answered these challenges at a place and space which is located in the middle of Europe as witness of fragility and destruction by humans and their organisations in the time of National Socialism. At the same time, the history of this place also commemorates the resistance against dictatorship and today there are offered alternative ways of co-existence and co-operation evolving between people from diverse cultural and political backgrounds. In Kryzowa, in the region between Poland, Czech Republic, and Germany, more than two hundred practitioners, trainers, and teachers of pastoral psychology and care and counselling from all continents talked about actual problems in their professional areas and presented evaluations, models, and visions.