FiLE

FiLE’s objective is to work with faith communities in order to create coordinated faith-community responses to the issues facing London's economy.

FiLE is the sixth practitioner group of MiLE and is chaired by Revd. Jonathan Evens (Vicar, St John the Evangelist Seven Kings). If you would like to join this group please complete this form.

This page provides information on faith-based business organisations and resources through an alphabetical listing of organisations and a thematic listing of resources. To suggest additional organisations/resources for inclusion on this page, please email Jonathan Evens at: jonathan.evens@btinternet.com

People of faith form a huge constituency, can motivate people to action and are also part of rooted communities which in some instances are beginning to plan for greater economic resilience.

As such, the network of individuals and faith-based organisations that is Faiths in London’s Economy (FiLE) believes that people of faith should make their contribution to the current search for means of ameliorating the financial and environmental misery experienced around the world, in part because of the effects of the credit crunch.

FiLE has therefore facilitated a process for preparing a shared faiths response to the credit crunch which calls for: non-interest bearing transactions; mutual societies; business accountability to a wider range of stakeholders than shareholders alone; transparent and ethical business practices; and recognition of the role that artists and communities play in generating real wealth.

The overall process that has produced this shared faiths response is one that has included people from the Christian, Hindu, Islamic, Jain and Jewish traditions in addition to representatives of faith-based and inter-faith organisations. We hope that our modest efforts will be a small part of a much wider process of reflection and restructuring needed to genuinely respond to the issues raised by the credit crunch.

Our wider hope is that London will lead in adaptations and changes to a restructuring of the global economy that will in future become focussed on a broader understanding of wealth than monetary gain and economic growth alone and do so in a way that maintains and develops it’s social, ethnic and faith diversity

Shared Faiths Response to the Credit Crunch
Notes of first meeting on 'Shared faiths response to the credit crunch' Notes of shared faiths response meeting 1
Notes of second meeting on 'Shared faiths response to the credit crunch' Notes of shared faiths response meeting 2

Ethics in a global economy: 'Ethics in a global economy' was a seminar exploring faith perspectives on business ethics held at the St Ethelburga's Centre for Reconciliation and Peace on Wednesday 29th October 2008. Contributors included: Saif Ahmad (CEO of Muslim Aid), Jay Lakhani (Head of Hindu Academy), Alison Murdoch (Director, Essential Education), and Dr. Edmund Newell (Director of the St Paul's Institute). A summary of the seminar can be found by clicking here.

ACAS aims to improve organisations and working life through better employment relations.

Contact: Acas London Regional Office, Euston Tower, 286 Euston Road, London, NW1 3JJ. Tel: 020 7396 0022. Helpline numbers: Monday - Friday 08:00 - 18:00 - 08457 47 47 47 / Monday - Friday 08:00 - 18:00 - (for Minicom users) - 08456 06 16 00. Web: http://www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=1461.

The Asian Business Association (ABA) of the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) campaigns on issues directly affecting Asian businesses within London's business community and encourages development through publicity, training and networking opportunities. With around 1500 members, the ABA acts as the voice of London's Asian businesses.

The Christian Association of Business Executives (CABE) is a fellowship of Christians in business life who share common concerns, offer mutual support and seek to promote the application of Christian principles in the working environment.

Contact: John McLean Fox, Chairman, 24 Greencoat Place, London SW1P 1BE. Email: mclean.fox@btinternet.com

Diverse Ethics provide training and consultancy advice in diversity, business ethics, public relations and media, corporate social responsibility and sustainability.

Diversiton is a practical ‘one-stop’ resource for Managers at all levels as well as HR specialists – with a range of training services, products and information to help you to raise awareness, build confidence and develop capacity in your organisation to maximise the opportunities that diversity offers.

Contact: Diversiton, 8 Osborne Promenade, Warrenpoint, Co Down BT34 3NQ, Northern Ireland. Tel: 028 417 54777. Fax: 028 417 54539. Email: mail@diversiton.com Web: http://www.diversiton.com/

The Employers Forum on Belief (EFB) is an independent employers' network developed by employers themselves to share good practice on religion, belief and non-belief in order to make the most of their diverse workforces.

Downloads

Contact: Rachel Krys, Director, Employers Forum on Belief, Floor 3, Downstream, 1 London Bridge, London SE1 9BG. Tel: 0207 785 6533. Fax: 020 7785 6536. Email: info@efrb.org.uk Web: http://www.efrb.org.uk/index.html

The European Bahá'í Business Forum (EBBF) is a nongovernmental organization that attracts a community of people passionate about bringing ethical values, personal virtues and moral leadership into their workplaces. Its membership is diverse and crosses generations, borders, sectors and beliefs.

Publications: More than 30 publications aimed at promoting a new, values-based and successful economy - http://ebbf.org/publications.html

FaithAction is a new national network that has received government funding to be the voice of faith and community organisations delivering public services. Through a national staff team and nine regional offices, FaithAction is bringing together grassroots organisations that are delivering or seeking to deliver public services and helping them access funds, deliver contracts and create more effective partnerships with government at every level. FaithAction has two aims to: represent faith-based and community organisations that are engaged or seeking to become engaged in the delivery of public services; and support the increase of public service delivery by faith based and community organisations.

Faith in Business is a quarterly journal relating Christian faith and values to the business world. It contains articles, reviews, news items and announcements and provides a forum to explore and promote the application of the Christian faith and values to working life in business, the professions, and public and voluntary service.

Faith in Business encourages, nurtures and sustains entrepreneurship within the Black Asian Minority Ethnic (BAME) community by reaching them through their Faith groups. It delivers business support from a Faith perspective buying into the Faith values and principles of the community.

Faith Regen Foundation is an innovative multi faith national charity working in partnership with Black and Minority Ethnic communities and faith communities to address poverty, regenerate deprived areas and provide a range of enablement services.

· Faith Communities Kiosk - a purpose built computer unit, developed to provide simple but useful information to disadvantaged communities.

· Faith Communities Navigator - a Toolkit for understanding the vast array of different faiths.

· Engaging and Empowering Faith Communities in Housing and Regeneration – a guide towards understanding how faith communities can play a practical role in the housing and regeneration field.

Heruka Centre

is the main north London Buddhist centre of the New Kadampa Tradition. Its purpose is to offer people throughout London the opportunity to learn about meditation and the practices of Kadampa Buddhism. The Centre teaches weekly meditation classes at over 20 venues in and around London, and regular weekend courses and retreats for meditators of all levels of experience.
Contact: Heruka Centre, 13 Woodstock Road, London NW11 8ES. Tel: 020 8455 7563. Email: info@heruka.org. Web: http://www.meditateinlondon.org.uk.

Courses & Events:

Meditation classes: introducing the basics of meditation & Buddhism http://www.meditateinlondon.org.uk/meditation-classes-london.php
Courses & retreats: covering basic principles and more advanced topics http://www.meditateinlondon.org.uk/meditation-events-london.php

Download: Booklet about Modern Kadampa Buddhism: find out about the New Kadampa Tradition http://kadampa.org/Modern_Kadampa_Buddhism.pdf

Resources:

Heruka Centre: further information about the London Centre http://www.meditateinlondon.org.uk/heruka-buddhist-centre-london.php
Monthly e-Newsletter: sign-up for regular updates http://www.meditateinlondon.org.uk/information-services.php

The Hindu Council UK was founded in 1994 for all Hindus domiciled in the United Kingdom, combining all the Hindu faith denominations, whilst representing various Hindu communities and Hindus from different parts of the world settled in the United Kingdom. Its main purpose is to give UK Hindus an effective voice on policy matters with the Government whilst enhancing mutual understanding among the major faiths predominant in the UK. Hindu Council UK is itself a non-partisan faith organisation

The Jewish Association for Business Ethics (JABE) is a registered educational charity that receives no statutory funding, relying solely on privately raised funds. Formed in 1991, JABE was set up to encourage high standards of integrity in professional conduct and teach the Jewish ethical approach to business. JABE is supported by an involved Trustee body consisting of chairmen of public companies, professionals and leading businesspeople.

· ‘Money & Morals’ Schools Curriculum - 15 lesson programme taught to 14–19 year olds in 600 schools in the UK Business Education and Citizenship Modules

· The Money & Morals Schools Roadshow’s - real life dilemmas portrayed by business people and professional actors.

Contact: Lorraine Spector (Executive Director), JABE, 2nd Floor, Mowbray House, 58-70 Edgware Way, Edgware, Middlesex HA8 8DJ. Tel: (020) 8905 4048. Fax: (020) 8905 4658. Email: info@jabe.org Web: http://www.jabe.org/

The London Buddhist Centre is one of the largest urban Buddhist Centres in the West, and perhaps the best established Centre run by the Friends of the Western Buddhist Order (FWBO). It is at the heart of a 'Buddhist Village' comprising a number of residential communities and several 'right livelihood businesses'.

The London Institute for Contemporary Christianity (LICC) has developed a wide range of resources for people in the marketplace, students about to enter work, and for church leaders wanting to help their people, LICC has an emerging group of high quality writers and speakers on workplace issues – a diverse group of Christians with current experience of work, sharp biblical insight, a determination to live out the gospel where they are and a desire to help others do the same.

· Articles on: ‘Connecting with God in the fast lane’; ‘Time Out’; ‘Organising Christian Activities at work’; and ‘Supporting Christians at work’, among others.

Contact: The London Institute for Contemporary Christianity, St Peter's, Vere Street, London, W1G 0DQ. Tel. 020 7399 9555. Fax. 020 7399 9556. Email. mail@licc.org.uk Web. http://www.licc.org.uk/

Mission in London’s Economy is a London wide ecumenical Christian organisation set up to: co-ordinate the churches' interventions in discussion of London's economy; respond on behalf of the churches to consultation exercises on London's economy; recruit, train, support, insure and supervise workplace chaplains; support Christians working in the institutions of London's economy; educate churches in the issues facing London's economy so that they might be able to respond appropriately; and work with other faith communities in order to create coordinated faith-community responses to the issues facing London's economy.

· weekly reflections relating the Gospel reading for each Sunday to the experience of work and the workplace;

· papers on: ‘Doing Business with purpose’; ‘Olympics 2012’; ‘Childcare’; ‘The London Plan’ and ‘Faith In Work’, among others.

Contact: David Driscoll, Executive Officer, Mission in London's Economy, The Royal Foundation of St. Katharine, 2 Butcher Row, London E14 8DS. Tel: 020 7790 3540. E-Mail: info@mile.org.uk Web: http://www.mile.org.uk/

MODEM is a national ecumenical Christian network, which encourages authentic dialogue between exponents of leadership, organisation, spirituality and ministry to aid the development of better disciples, community, society and world.

Contact: Peter Bates, Membership Secretary, MODEM, CTBI, 3rd Floor, Bastille Court, 2 Paris Garden, London SE1 8ND. Tel. 020 7654 7254. Fax. 020 7654 7222. Email: info@modem-uk.org Web: http://www.modem-uk.org/index.html

The Business and Economics Committee of the Muslim Council of Britain comprises diverse and high-profile individuals representing the full spectrum of business and economics in Britain. Businessmen, bankers, lawyers, accountants, investment managers, academics and students all contribute to the projects and direction of the Business & Economics committee.

The Muslim Directory is a directory of services and businesses for the Muslim community. Its contents include: Businesses; Organisations; Charities; Muslim Names; Islam at a Glance; Sports & Activities; Hajj Guide; Prayer Times; Islamic Calendar; World at your Fingertips; Zakat Guide; UK Mosques; Muslim Schools; How to Pray; and more.

The Sikh Chamber is an on-line business directory enabling searches of over 15,000 Asian Businesses.

Sikhs in England aims to raise awareness among British Sikhs nationally of opportunities to serve the whole community through public life, governance and voluntary effort and to provide a vehicle for the Sikh community to be accessed and contribute to national consultation and decision making processes.

Skill Boosters is committed to providing training that helps to cultivate tolerant and open-minded teams through the delivery of high quality learning that is creative and thought-provoking.

The South Asian Development Partnership (SADP) is a group of Asian and UK business professionals based in Southern England. SADP exists to: assist Asian businesses and professionals to integrate more fully into mainstream UK plc; encourage the development of health and welfare programmes in South Asia; assist organisations with equal opportunity initiatives in relation to the South Asian community; and enable organisations to harness the highly skilled and dynamic South Asian workforce to create a globally linked UK work environment.

SADP offers consultancy, training, research and resources including: the Premier South Asian Database (over 2,000 names, addresses and contact details of top South Asian professionals in the UK) and the South Asian Media Database (over 150 names, addresses and contact details of top South Asian media in the UK). See http://www.southasian.org.uk/index.html for details.

St Ethelberga’s Centre for Reconciliation & Peace aims to help businesses and individuals in the City of London to engage with issues of religion and belief in the workplace and in commercial life.

A range of City-based events to raise awareness of matters of religious faith in the workplace and commercial life - http://www.stethelburgas.org/

Tijara Pages aims to provide the British Muslim community, and UK consumers in general, with an information point on businesses that offer services or products that are in accordance with the Islamic requirements of Halal. Users can search for the business they are looking for, either by name, category or location. Tijara Pages not only lists businesses, but also non-profit making organisations such as mosques, charities, and Islamic schools and madrassas.

Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe (Incorporated) The main objectives are to: advance the study and dissemination of information and knowledge of the Zoroastrian Faith; maintain a separate Burial Ground for Zoroastrians; provide a place of worship devoted to the promulgation and practice of the Zoroastrian Faith; hold religious, social and communal functions; give assistance to Zoroastrian students by way of loans and grants and to render such assistance to Zoroastrians as may be considered necessary; and protect and enhance the interest of Zoroastrians in Europe. Zoroastrian House is a Religious, Cultural and Social Centre for the Parsee and Irani Zoroastrian Community.

Contact: Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe (Incorporated), Zoroastrian Centre, 440 Alexandra Avenue, Harrow, Middlesex HA2 9TL. Tel: 020 8866 0765. Fax: 020 8868 4572. Email: secretary@ztfe.com Web: http://www.ztfe.com/

· The Muslim Directory is a directory of services and businesses for the Muslim community. Contact: Web: http://www.muslimdirectory.co.uk/

· Premier South Asian Database (over 2,000 names, addresses and contact details of top South Asian professionals in the UK) and the South Asian Media Database (over 150 names, addresses and contact details of top South Asian media in the UK). See http://www.southasian.org.uk/index.html for details.

· The Sikh Chamber is an on-line business directory enabling searches of over 15,000 Asian Businesses. Contact: Web: http://www.sikhchamber.com/

· Tijara Pages aims to provide the British Muslim community, and UK consumers in general, with an information point on businesses that offer services or products that are in accordance with the Islamic requirements of Halal. Contact: Web: http://www.tijarapages.com/default.asp

· The Jewish Association for Business Ethics (JABE) was set up to encourage high standards of integrity in professional conduct and teach the Jewish ethical approach to business. Contact: Lorraine Spector (Executive Director), JABE, 2nd Floor, Mowbray House, 58-70 Edgware Way, Edgware, Middlesex HA8 8DJ. Tel: (020) 8905 4048. Fax: (020) 8905 4658. Email: info@jabe.org Web: http://www.jabe.org/

· The Christian Association of Business Executives (CABE) is a fellowship of Christians in business life who share common concerns, offer mutual support and seek to promote the application of Christian principles in the working environment. Contact: John McLean Fox, Chairman, 24 Greencoat Place, London SW1P 1BE. Email: mclean.fox@btinternet.com

· The European Bahá'í Business Forum (EBBF) is a nongovernmental organization that attracts a community of people passionate about bringing ethical values, personal virtues and moral leadership into their workplaces. Contact: Mr. Manouchehr Zahrai. Email: myazhari@yahoo.com Web: http://www.ebbf.org/

· FaithAction is a new national network that has received government funding to be the voice of faith and community organisations delivering public services. Contact: Dominic Ellison, National Co-ordinator, FaithAction, 72-74 Mare Street, London E8 4RT. Tel: 0845 094 6350. Email: info@faithaction.net

· The Business and Economics Committee of the Muslim Council of Britain comprises diverse and high-profile individuals representing the full spectrum of business and economics in Britain. Contact: PO Box 57330, London E1 2WJ. Email: admin@mcb.org.uk Tel: 0845 2626 786.

· The South Asian Development Partnership (SADP) is a group of Asian and UK business professionals based in Southern England. Contact: South Asian Development Partnership, P.O. Box 43, Sutton, Surrey SM2 5WL. Tel: 020 8770 9717. Fax: 020 8770 9747. Email: info@southasian.org.uk Web: http://www.southasian.org.uk/index.html

· St Ethelburga’s Centre for Reconciliation & Peace - a range of City-based events to raise awareness of matters of religious faith in the workplace and commercial life - http://www.stethelburgas.org/ Contact: Justine Huxley, St Ethelburga's Centre, 78 Bishopsgate, London EC2N 4AG. Email: justine@stethelburgas.org. Tel: 020 7496 1610. Fax: 020 7638 1440. Web: http://www.stethelburgas.org/

· JABE Generation (events for young business people and professionals) and the Money & Morals Schools Roadshow’s (real life dilemmas portrayed by business people and professional actors). Contact: Lorraine Spector (Executive Director), JABE, 2nd Floor, Mowbray House, 58-70 Edgware Way, Edgware, Middlesex HA8 8DJ. Tel: (020) 8905 4048. Fax: (020) 8905 4658. Email: info@jabe.org Web: http://www.jabe.org/

· FaithAction E-Newsletter – providing news, events and funding opportunities - Web: http://www.faithaction.net/

· Faith in Business is a quarterly journal relating Christian faith and values to the business world. Contact: FIBQ Secretary, 1 Fulcher Close, BURY ST EDMUNDS, Suffolk IP33 2NP. Email: mail@fibq.org Web: http://www.fibq.org/

· Integrity magazine. Contact: Lorraine Spector (Executive Director), JABE, 2nd Floor, Mowbray House, 58-70 Edgware Way, Edgware, Middlesex HA8 8DJ. Tel: (020) 8905 4048. Fax: (020) 8905 4658. Email: info@jabe.org Web: http://www.jabe.org/

· MODEM Matters newsletter. Contact: Peter Bates, Membership Secretary, MODEM, CTBI, 3rd Floor, Bastille Court, 2 Paris Garden, London SE1 8ND. Tel. 020 7654 7254. Fax. 020 7654 7222. Email: info@modem-uk.org

· Spirit in Work journal. Contact: Peter Bates, Membership Secretary, MODEM, CTBI, 3rd Floor, Bastille Court, 2 Paris Garden, London SE1 8ND. Tel. 020 7654 7254. Fax. 020 7654 7222. Email: info@modem-uk.org

· Faith in Business encourages, nurtures and sustains entrepreneurship within the Black Asian Minority Ethnic (BAME) community by reaching them through their Faith groups. Contact: The Loan Fund Manager, Faith in Business, The Grange, Neasden Lane, London NW10 1QB. Email: info@faithinbusiness.co.uk Tel: 0208 438 4550. Fax: 0208 438 4551. Web: http://www.faithinbusiness.co.uk/

· Dilemmas - real queries are explored and good practice outlines of how an employer might or did respond provided - http://www.efrb.org.uk/real_dilemmas/index.html Contact: Rachel Krys, Director, Employers Forum on Belief, Floor 3, Downstream, 1 London Bridge, London SE1 9BG. Tel: 0207 785 6533. Fax: 020 7785 6536. Email: info@efrb.org.uk Web: http://www.efrb.org.uk/index.html

· Engaging and Empowering Faith Communities in Housing and Regeneration – a guide towards understanding how faith communities can play a practical role in the housing and regeneration field. Contact: Dr. Husna Ahmad, Chief Executive, FRF, 18-24 Chase Side, Southgate, London N14 5PB. Tel: 0208 920 6868. Fax: 0208 920 6565. Email: husna@faithregenuk.org Web: http://www.faithregenuk.org/home.html

· More than 30 publications from the European Baha’i Business Forum aimed at promoting a new, values-based and successful economy - http://ebbf.org/publications.html

· Faith Communities Navigator - a Toolkit for understanding the vast array of different faiths. Contact: Dr. Husna Ahmad, Chief Executive, FRF, 18-24 Chase Side, Southgate, London N14 5PB. Tel: 0208 920 6868. Fax: 0208 920 6565. Email: husna@faithregenuk.org Web: http://www.faithregenuk.org/home.html

· London Institute for Contemporary Christianity articles on: ‘Connecting with God in the fast lane’; ‘Time Out’; ‘Organising Christian Activities at work’; and ‘Supporting Christians at work’, among others - http://www.licc.org.uk/

· Mission in London’s Economy papers on: ‘Doing Business with purpose’; ‘Olympics 2012’; ‘Childcare’; ‘The London Plan’ and ‘Faith In Work’, among others - http://www.mile.org.uk/

· Religion or Belief and the Workplace - http://www.acas.org.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=107&p=0 Contact: Acas London Regional Office, Euston Tower, 286 Euston Road, London, NW1 3JJ. Tel: 020 7396 0022. Helpline numbers: Monday - Friday 08:00 - 18:00 - 08457 47 47 47 / Monday - Friday 08:00 - 18:00 - (for Minicom users) - 08456 06 16 00. Web: http://www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=1461

· Business Ethics Courses, ‘Money & Morals’ Schools Curriculum and Practical Business Ethics Seminars. Contact: Lorraine Spector (Executive Director), JABE, 2nd Floor, Mowbray House, 58-70 Edgware Way, Edgware, Middlesex HA8 8DJ. Tel: (020) 8905 4048. Fax: (020) 8905 4658. Email: info@jabe.org Web: http://www.jabe.org/

· Diverse Ethics provide training and consultancy advice in diversity, business ethics, public relations and media, corporate social responsibility and sustainability. Contact: Dr. Atul K. Shah, Chief Executive, Diverse Ethics Ltd, 9 Redmill, Colchester CO3 4RT. Tel: 078 042 94903. Email: atul@diverseethics.com Web: http://www.diverseethics.com/

· Faith Communities Navigator - a Toolkit for understanding the vast array of different faiths. Contact: Dr. Husna Ahmad, Chief Executive, FRF, 18-24 Chase Side, Southgate, London N14 5PB. Tel: 0208 920 6868. Fax: 0208 920 6565. Email: husna@faithregenuk.org Web: http://www.faithregenuk.org/home.html

· Training Course in Religion & Belief - http://www.diversiton.com/training/courses/ Contact: Diversiton, 8 Osborne Promenade, Warrenpoint, Co Down BT34 3NQ, Northern Ireland. Tel: 028 417 54777. Fax: 028 417 54539. Email: mail@diversiton.com Web: http://www.diversiton.com/.

· Weekly reflections from Mission in London’s Economy relating the Gospel reading for each Sunday to the experience of work and the workplace - http://www.mile.org.uk/

· Work-based email group at St John’s Seven Kings providing a brief work-based reflection and prayer combined with information on a resource for Christians in the workplace - http://groups.google.co.uk/group/work-emails/topics