This summer, a group of concerned citizens from all walks of life will come together to recreate a modern version of an ancient journey in the hope of building a more equitable future. A two week long walk from London to Canterbury will culminate in a conference on social, economic and environmental justice.

 Strategic Plans:

Since the distance, stamina and strength required for this pilgrimage may be beyond the physical capabilities of some that wish to participate, it should be open for people to join in on any particular leg of the pilgrimage. There is increasing marginalisation of different communities and social groups within the UK, and this is a means by which to bring diverse groups of people together.

Some will wish to undertake the full pilgrimage and conference, some may wish to only undertake only part of the journey, and some of the public participation may be only in the conference. It will be clarified that both the conference and pilgrimage are open to the public at no charge, but donations will be welcomed. Both the Pilgrimage for Justice and the conference will be inviting people to participate from all backgrounds, those of faith and no faith.

A concerted effort will be made to encourage local faith communities to participate in their areas in the overnight stops for discussions, debates, teach-in and in public general assemblies. In addition, there will be a special effort to communicate to both faith and non-faith communities to become involved as part of this pilgrimage. There is a chance to engage the general public who are not in the local communities or participating pilgrims to join in with the public general assemblies.

 Reasons for undertaking the Pilgrimage:

People undertaking a pilgrimage often do so at times of personal difficulty, crisis or transition, and they see pilgrimage as an opportunity for reflection and inspiration as they begin a new chapter of their lives. We are seeking a new chapter for our society, a place in which we can turn away from consumerism and apathy to valuing people over profit. The pilgrimage offers the chance for individuals to undertake this transforming journey. The pilgrimage symbolises something passionate, and since cathedrals have traditionally been places that people gather, it has symbolic strength in the pilgrimage starting and ending at cathedrals.

In undertaking a Pilgrimage for Justice, there is an opportunity for the pilgrims to reflect on their accountability and responsibility in, and also as consumers of, the existing system. Pilgrimage is an excellent way of improving relations between different age groups, backgrounds and beliefs, and offers an opportunity to find what we have in common as diverse groups. The Pilgrimage will show a different way of living and creating community spirit, so that the people can develop practices of community living. The listening dimension of the pilgrimage is important, as it is about sharing stories and gathering data for the conference feed in. The pilgrimage will seek to find new and interesting ways to get the people that the pilgrims come into contact with, to think about capitalism and how it shapes their lives.

As they pass through towns and villages, and through the overnight camping stops, the pilgrims will be able to engage in discussion, debate, reflection and conversation with members of the local communities, visitors and the other pilgrims sharing their journey. This will allow for discussion on real issues affecting our world today and through the general assemblies, allow for those whose voices are perhaps never heard to have a chance to be heard. The Pilgrimage for Justice will attempt to be a platform to highlight the problems that need systemic change in order to resolve the iniquities and inequalities that dominate the current system. Pilgrims will be encouraged to have banners relating to issues they wish to raise, and to rediscover the historical, spiritual and political significance of the towns and villages they pass through and stop at overnight. An effort will be made to get people interested in their environment, history and how injustice affects the structure of local society through to the wider world, so that people not only understand and embrace their responsibilities, but become the trustees of a better future for all.

Aims

 The aim of the pilgrimage is to engage the public and local communities in becoming actively involved in understanding and sharing practices of civic deliberation of issues affecting all communities in the UK and beyond in relating to poverty, social, economic and environmental injustice and inequality, that is being propagated by government, banks and corporations in the currently unsustainable and undemocratic system.

 Objectives

 By the end of the Pilgrimage for Justice:

Participants should have a better knowledge of many of the current issues that affect local communities regarding poverty, and especially specific aspects of economic injustice directly linked to the City of London, Corporations, the British banking system, and be able to link these to global issues.

Local communities and participants contributing to debates and discussions will gain knowledge and understanding and, by being able to hear expert speakers of all beliefs and none. In addition, they will have the opportunity to have their voices heard, through joining in teach-in sessions and by participation in general assemblies.

General assemblies will enable people to think about their accountability and responsibility within not only their own communities, but also in civil society. These general assemblies will also feed into the conference, Building a Just Society.

We are also hoping to build a social network in collaboration with the Kent Enterprise Hub, with the ambitious goal of promoting grass roots positive social change. As well as working on an album sourced by artists local to Canterbury to raise funds for a food redistribution project in Canterbury.