Emma Goldman (1869-1940) a Lithuanian born American international anarchist is often credited with coining the above title phrase which Ken Livingston years later used for his book "If voting changed anything they'd abolish it" (1988).

This sentiment reflects a left wing critique of liberal parliamentary democratic systems. It argues that such systems do not bring about any real structural change in the distribution of income and wealth and as a consequence political power and influence continues to rest with an economic and political elite.

Recent global events would appear to give some credence to such a critique. The current economic system puts profits for a small elite before the collective need of the whole community especially the most disadvantaged members. In a report entitled ‘Unequal Britain'1 Professor Peter Hills shows in stark terms the outcome of the obsession with the free market; ‘Britain's richest 10% are now 100 times better off than the poorest'.

Can you help to support a delegate from some of the world’s poorest Movements to take part in the World Assembly?

Later in the year we will be launching an appeal to ask for donations to help enable delegates from Movements around the world to attend this meeting in 2009. It’s really important that a world assembly is just that and not only a gathering of those Movements who can afford to send someone.

Perhaps you could start now! May be putting aside each week for the next 2 months the price of a cup of coffee, or tea, or a glass of wine or pint of beer, possibly a bar of chocolate, a packet of sweets or the cost of a newspaper or magazine. You may even have some small change left over from a previous holiday and as we all know every penny or cent does count and you can be assured that.

We know it is a hard time currently for us all every penny with food, petrol and house fuel bills rising contributed will be seemingly day by day. However, we would appreciated. ask that you could see your way to helping us help others.

Jim Dearlove, Mary Foy and Paul Edwards in Barcelona

The MCW's NEC had prepared the English delegates' contribution to the questions posed for discussion. These included ‘What is the situation of migrants in your country?'; ‘Are people afraid of any of these groups?'; ‘How does your government tackle the view of migrants?' and ‘What is the response of the Church in your country to migrants?'Our preparation included noting that England had been a country of migration and settlement throughout its history. We also identified both the positives and negatives attributed to migration including the gaining of skills and sharing cultures whilst difficulties arose because of the strain put on current infrastructure not developed to meet the new demands of changing needs. The Catholic Bishops' Conference Policy Paper ‘Mission of the Church to Migrants in England & Wales' as well as our past enquiries on the Gospel's provocation to welcome and be in solidarity with the widow, the stranger and the orphan assisted us in our contribution to the seminar's deliberations.

In addition the MCW's responsibility for providing the Saturday Morning Spiritual Over 4 days of open sessions and group discussions the main focus of their deliberations was ‘Migration & Mobility (legal and illegal) of Workers in Europe'. This seminar was a follow-up from the Seville Declaration on Migration in Europe which was written in May 2007 at which Liz Meagher and Jim Dearlove were present.

Reflection focused on this challenge using readings from Deuteronomy 10:18-19; Luke 10:25-37 as well as part of a verse written from a migrant's perspective entitled ‘Home is home & bush is bush' from ‘Celebrating One World' booklet.

Arising out of the various discussions and presentations our delegation made three particular reflections:

• Although we were examining migration from a European perspective its worldwide context could not be ignored. Whilst some European countries spoke of the difficulties of hosting migrants it was important to remember that much poorer African countries were hosting most of the world's population of migrants.
• Much of the tension and struggle within our countries arose because our governments were failing to address the poverty and hardshipsuffered, many over generations, by our indigenous and settled communities whether in paid employment or without work.
• The governments of those countriesfrom where people were migrating had to take responsibility for their own policies instead of turning a blind eye to the circumstances of their communities.

Whilst these contextual issues remained unaddressed people who struggled and endeavoured to keep themselves and their families alive, fed, housed and in health in whatever and however way they could would remain the victim, the individual to be blamed.

The French and Portuguese delegations brought to our attention the moves afoot for the European Commission to ‘harmonise legislation' on illegal migration. This they emphasised was not to protect people's human rights but to simply improve the effectiveness of expulsion. What this included was a proposal to hold people in detention as a control i.e. an internment of migrants - an approach which runs contrary to the values founded through the reconstruction of Europe in the wake of the 2^nd World War. Thus they called upon the MEPs to refuse to vote in favour of this move so as to defend the fundamental values and liberty of people. With elections for our MEPs coming soon perhaps this is one question to be posed; where do they stand on internment for migrants?

The Barcelona Declaration, a document produced as a fruit of the various and wide ranging discussions from the seminar will be available soon. Don't forget to look for it on the MCW website www.mcworkers.org