by Gilles Bourdeau

Gilles Bourdeau, ofm, is the Director of the Canadian Centre for Ecumenism in Montreal.

Ce document est aussi disponible en français : Mondialisation et dialogue.

Globalization is hardly a new subject: every inch of it has been exhaustively discussed by experts and different milieus and, indeed, by the whole world. This last fact is a constant source of amazement to me. It is not a new word that is invading people's awareness and taking over their conversations, but rather an accelerated development in the experience of daily life around the world. No one and nothing can escape it entirely. It is no wonder, then, that everyone is talking about it, as much to understand it as to explain it.

The effects of globalization are being felt strongly by the churches. It is a matter that has structured and coloured the agendas and discussions of most of the churches' members and leaders for the past ten years or more. This issue of Ecumenism does not seek to follow the current or adopt a fashion. Its basic intention is to suggest some areas for reflection on a reality that affects everyone, as well as determine what is at stake and what effects are unavoidable.

The dossier was built around a lecture given by internationally-known Canadian philosopher Charles Taylor in April 2002 to benefit this Centre. We are very grateful to him for his reflections and we are publishing the text of his lecture in its entirety. The other texts complement this first reflection and provide access to Christian and ecumenical readings of globalization. They include contributions from Konrad Raiser, General Secretary of the WCC; Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople; and Hermann Schalück, former Minister General of the Franciscans. Their articles are indicative of the resonance of these problems in Christian circles. A short article from Aram I, moderator of the WCC Central Committee, outlines some of the questions on the churches' agenda, which alone show just how essential it is to continue the dialogue on globalization.

With this issue we are introducing some changes in the magazine, in terms of both content and presentation. The "dossier" section will be reduced in order to make room for articles on current events, reviews of outstanding publications and columns. We would like to thank Glenn Smith, Lucien Lemieux and Tom Ryan for their ice-breaking contributions. We will be maintaining News Briefs and the Book Survey which are popular with our readers. You will also note some changes in typeface and layout.

These changes show a new landscape that is sure to be visible in the layout of Ecumenism in a few years' time. We would appreciate feedback and suggestions from anyone on any subject. We hope you enjoy this issue... and wish you a pleasant journey.