Charities Parliament is a Faithworks initiative, located in the Oasis Centre and based on the principles of participative democracy. It is based on the following five values:

• We believe that the democratic process should be focused around participation as much as representation and that only the level of the first ensures the quality of the second. 
• We believe that every local church has a vital role to play in public life, civil society and the maintenance of a healthy democracy. 
• We believe that a key task of government in a healthy society is to provide investment, support and infrastructure for the Voluntary Sector, including the church and other faith groups, as it works to build social cohesion and active communities.
• We believe that the development of a sense of mutual accountability between churches, Christian agencies and faith groups working in the delivery of public services and Government is an essential ingredient of a healthy society. 
• We believe that the voice of local churches and other faith groups is strongest when they work in collaboration.

The Charities Parliament has already received warm support from Rt Hon Stephen Timms MP who said "I welcome Oasis’ proposal for a major centre close to Parliament, and I look forward to its activities helping to shape the public debate in the years ahead."

The Bishop of Liverpool Right Rev'd James Jones said "This new initiative is based on the well established principles of Christ-centred vision, rigorous thinking, a depth of community engagement and a clear articulation of a biblical worldview, which are the foundations on which Oasis' work has been built."

Take your seat at Charities Parliament...

Programme of events:

23 January 2009 - Rt Hon Jim Knight MP
An Educational Oxymoron: Can Every Child Matter in the Culture of League Tables?

3 June 2009 - Rt Hon Iain Duncan Smith MP
Breakthrough Britain: The role of faith inspired and voluntary agencies in mending broken Britain

22 June 2009 - Andy Reed MP (Labour), Alistair Burt MP (Conservative), Dr. David Landrum
Finding Hope: Restoring Trust in our Political Process

25 November 2009 - Ending Child Poverty
With Liz Thorne, London Development Manager and Helen Goodman MP, Under Secretary of State for Pensions Reform.

Conference facilities and office space in central London
Charities Parliament is situated in the new Oasis Centre which provides office space and conference facilities in a central London location.