The United Religions Initiative family mourns the passing of Annie lmbens-Fransen. Annie had a big vision, a strong advocate for women’s dignity, rights, authority and inclusion.
In URI Europe, she has been treasurer for many years, has co-organized assemblies and events, and actively contributed to envision, birth and sustain URI globally and in Europe.
"I had the great privilege of working with Annie for many years in founding URI, both globally and in Europe. She was a bright light for peace, justice and healing; and a fierce advocate for the rights of women. I am honored to have counted her as a colleague and friend.
Annie taught me and all of URI important lessons about the importance of struggling for the full and equitable inclusion of women. She is singularly to be credited with one of the most important principles in URI's global charter -- "We practice equitable participation of women and men in all aspects of the URI."
May the Divine's healing light and love support you and your family."
Rev. Canon Charles P. Gibbs
Annie will be irreversibly connected with the United Religions Initiative. Together - and therefore very closely - we lived through the pioneering years of this ambitious world network, a dream for a better, more harmonious world. Annie was without any doubt one of the most important main pulling forces within URI Europe.
What far outweighed everything else was her relentless zeal for women's rights. Earlier this year, I had a telephone conversation with the former International Director of URI, Rev. Charles Gibbs. During that conversation, he reminded me - that leading up to the founding of URI in the year 2000 - it was always Annie who brought the women's rights manifesto into the search process that led to the writing of the Preamble, Purpose and Principles of URI. It was thanks to her that there was - and is a lasting focus on equality and equivalence. Although Annie was not always easy, it was precisely because that she got things on the agenda and managed to push them through. A strong lady. Someone for whom I will always have respect and gratitude because she was so decisive for the development of URI. Not only in Europe but also worldwide.
She has made her contribution to a better world, to a different future for the international community. international community. With great certainty ...she may rest in peace!
With great respect, friendship and affection,
Patrick Hanjoul
Former President, URI Europe
