For the first time,Transparency International has also examined the relationship between corruption levels and the degree of freedom enjoyed by media and civil society groups.

A summary of the gatherings in cities of France, Hungary, Spain, Switzerland and Germany.

About 70 people from European countries met at the Younger Leaders Gen gathering in Hungary (19-22 October) to discuss the challenges of the church in the continent and build partnerships. Photos: Evi Rodemann and Jari Sippola.

We should pause to ask what causal links can be demonstrated between the Reformation and economic growth, democratic stability, and social justice in Protestant-background countries.

More than 300 participated in the first conference on Christian persecution held in Budapest.

Only 17% of the 160,000 people that the EU pledged to take in have been relocated. Intermon Oxfam has denounced Spain for not fulfilling its quota.

Slovakia and Hungary had challenged the scheme arguing the arrival of asylum seekers is a threat to their societies.

Detained asylum seekers enter hunger strike as President Janos Ader is re-elected. Christian expert Paul Sydnor says new measures only result in people “becoming re-traumatized.”

About 160 participants from 28 countries met in Hungary for practical training, resources and networking. It has been the most attended Refugee Highway Partnership Roundtable so far.

Zoltan Balog, minister of Human Capacities, said it is “of utmost importance” to help persecuted Christians. The new office will have a starting budget of US$3.35 million.

Around 26,000 unaccompanied children entered Europe last year. Most of them are targeted by criminal gangs. Some have been sexually exploited, Europol informed.

Under the umbrella of the Evangelical Alliance, Christians in Hungary have formed a coalition “to give a real Christian response.”

Two evangelical pastors in Szeged share their views after borders are closed to refugees. The country “will need the church to help integrate and accept the refugees who stay”.

European Council President Donald Tusk, has asked EU members to admit 100,000 refugees.

Migration issues have dominated a summit in Vienna, amid the worst refugee crisis in Europe since WWII. At least 20 migrants have been found dead in a lorry in Austria.

Despite government efforts to quickly build a 4-meter high fence on the Serbian border to stop them.

The anti-inmigration fence that Hungary started to construct on Monday will be four metres high and 175 kilometres long. 

The conservative Hungarian government has postponed until the autumn a redrafting of the controversial church law. 

Human Rights Watch's 2015 report denounces issues in Croatia, Hungary, Spain, Italy, Greece, Germany, UK, Poland, Netherlands and France. “Over 155,000 people had reached EU shores, 3,000 died at sea."