Christian Action Research and Education
| Type | Christian lobby group |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | 53 Romney Street Westminster London SW1P 3RF United Kingdom |
|
Executive Chairman
|
Lyndon Bowring |
|
Chief Executive
|
Nola Leach |
| Website | www |
Christian Action Research and Education (CARE) is a Christian advocacy group based in the United Kingdom.
CARE began in 1971 as the Nationwide Festival of Light, but was renamed in 1983 to reflect a substantial shift in emphasis. Over the following decades it established the following departments, in the belief that Christians should show active care as well as campaigning for moral standards in society:
CARE also runs the "Leadership Programme", an internship programme securing placements for graduates. Some work as researchers for MPs, mostly in the Conservative party, and MSPs while others work in Christian NGOs. The funding of political research assistants by a "right-wing Christian" lobby group has attracted controversy, although CARE claims that there is a clear separation between the internships and its lobbying side. Unlike journalists, researchers have virtually unrestricted access to parliamentary documents and in 2008 Paul Burstow MP was questioned after failing to include a research assistant's CARE sponsorship on the main register -though he said he didn't believe they had behaved improperly.
Christian Action Research and Education (CARE) Trust (registered charity number 288485, registered 12 January 1984) ceased to exist on 30 September 2008. CARE (Christian Action Research and Education) (registered charity number 1066963, registered 18 December 1997) is still operational.
Lyndon Bowring is the Executive Chairman of the organization. He is a former minister at Kensington Temple, in London, and currently is on the staff of Regents Theological College.
CARE's annual income to March 2011 was over £2 million, mostly from voluntary donations. The cost of the intern programme is around £70,000 p.a. It is supported by some 40,000 individuals who want CARE to make a difference in Parliament.
CARE has been described as "an evangelical charity that promotes traditional family values"; the organisation has actively campaigned against LGBT rights, abortion, stem cell research and assisted dying bills. Its work has been dismissed in the House of Lords as "propaganda".
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