The meeting of the I.A.O International Secretariat and the joint meeting of the I.A.O International Secretariat and Committee Chairpersons was held at its seat in Athens on March 19. Members of the following Parliaments participated in the meeting: Sergei Popov, President of the I.A.O. General Assembly (Russian Federation), Aristotelis A. Pavlidis, Acting Secretary General to the I.A.O. (Greece), Lefteris Christoforou, member of the I.A.O. International Secretariat (Cyprus), Nicholas Kotsiras, Chairman of the I.A.O Committee on Bioethics (Australia), Theodore Ssekikubo, Chairman of the I.A.O. Committee on Social Activity (Uganda), as well as, the members of the Hellenic delegation to the I.A.O.: Theocharis Tsiokas, Adam Regouzas, Simeon Kedikoglou and Markos Bolaris.
In the framework of the I.A.O. International Secretariat meeting, the members had the opportunity to meet with the President of the Hellenic Parliament Mr. Dimitrios Sioufas and His Beatitude Ieronymos II, Archbishop of Athens and All Greece.
During the morning I.A.O. International Secretariat meeting, the following subjects were extensively discussed:
1) Organizational issues and implementation of the Rules of Procedure.
2) I.A.O. Financial issues.
3) Preparation of the 15th I.A.O. General Assembly, which was decided to be held in the island of Rhodes, Greece, 25 - 29 June 2008. The central subject of the Assembly will be: «Challenges stemming from the global value system crisis (Christian – Orthodox approach)». It was also decided to hold the elections of the members of the International Secretariat and Committees upon the opening of the General Assembly.
4) Programming of activities for 2008: The next meeting of the I.A.O. International Secretariat and Committee Chairpersons was decided to be held in Cyprus during the autumn 2008. Furthermore, the organization of visits to the new-elected Patriarchs and leaders of Autocephalous Orthodox Churches was decided. The I.A.O. will be represented by the President of the I.A.O. General Assembly, the I.A.O. Secretary General and an ad-hoc third member. Any member wishing to join the delegation will undertake their own expenses.
During the afternoon joint meeting of the I.A.O. International Secretariat and Committee Chairpersons the following issues were discussed:
1) I.A.O. representation and contacts with international organizations. (Council of Europe, PABSEC, Inter-parliamentary Union (IPU), South Eastern Europe Cooperation Process (SEECP), Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of the Commonwealth Independent States (IPA CIS) etc.)
2) Overview of the 2007 I.A.O. activities. I.A.O. Member-states contributions.
3) Outlook of the presentation of the Festschrift “Church-Ecumene-Politics” dedicated to Metropolitan Damaskinos Papandreou, presented by the former I.A.O. Treasurer Mr. Dimitrios Georgakopoulos, the I.Α.Ο. Acting Secretary General Mr. Aristotelis A. Pavlidis, and the I.A.O. Advisor Mr. Kostas Mygdalis.
4) Special reference to the situation in Kosovo, to be included in the ‘conclusions’ of the meeting:
The Interparliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy (I.A.O.), which promotes the Christian Orthodox traditions, hereby expresses its concern over the fact that peace in the region of Kosovo is under increasing threat. Peoples residing throughout centuries in this region are now feeling insecure. The one-sided declaration of Kosovo independence opposes the UN Security Council Resolution no.1244/01.06.1999.
We call upon the UN, The Council of Europe, the European Union and all other international organizations to act accordingly, aiming at the normalization of the situation in the region, as well as, for strengthening security and stability for all Kosovo populations, in order to prevent persecution of populations, violation of human rights and destruction of temples.
We call for respect of cultural and religious heritage of all Kosovo ethnicities, preservation of the Christian Orthodox temples and the free exercise of religious belief, as well as, for substantial efforts towards eliminating threats against the peaceful coexistence of the Kosovo populations and, above all to avert the development of hotspots threatening peace in the Balkans.
Moreover, we call upon the world community to provide the necessary humanitarian and financial aid to the Serbian Orthodox Church, with the aim of restoring destroyed Christian monuments.
The meeting of the International Secretariat and the Chairpersons of the Committees of the Interparliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy (I.A.O.) as well as the conference scheduled to be held in Amman, Jordan, 14 – 18 March 2007 could not take place due to the small number of participants for both events.
However, the meeting of the I.A.O International Secretariat and the Chairpersons of its Committees was deemed very important. Therefore, following the agreement with the President of the I.A.O General Assembly Mr. Popov, the meeting of the I.A.O International Secretariat and the Chairpersons of its Committees was held in Athens, 14 March 2007.
Members of Parliaments from Greece, the Russian Federation, Jordan and Uganda, participated in the meeting.
During the meeting of the I.A.O International Secretariat and the Chairpersons of its Committees, discussions were held and decisions taken on the following issues:
1. Meeting of Ministers of Culture
Following an extensive discussion on the meeting of the Ministers of Culture, the proposal that was accepted by the majority is that as a first step the Interparliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy (I.A.O.) is going to invite the Ministers of Culture of the I.A.O member-states, which support the I.A.O financially to a meeting, which will be held in May 2007 (Greece, Russian Federation, Cyprus, Ukraine and Bulgaria).
The objective of this meeting will be the preparation of the international conference with the participation of the Ministers of Culture of the 25 states whose parliaments are members of the I.A.O. During this meeting the declaration document which has been proposed will be signed.
Moreover, the possibility for constituting a permanent forum of the Ministers of Culture of the states, which participate in the I.A.O will be discussed.
2. 14th annual I.A.O General Assembly in Kazakhstan
- Following the proposal of the host country (due to the end of the Parliament session) the works of the 14th I.A.O General Assembly will be held in the city of Astana, Kazakhstan, from 20 to 23 June 2007.
- Main subject of the General Assembly: "Inter-religious dialogue as a factor of peace and justice".
3. Meeting of an I.A.O delegation with the orthodox Members of Parliaments of Africa in Johannesburg, 11 – 1 2 April 2007
In collaboration with Mr. Theodore Ssekikubo, MP, a meeting of an I.A.O delegation with the orthodox members of Parliaments of Africa, as well as the opening of the I.A.O information office, will be held in Johannesburg, 11 – 12 April 2007.
4. Participation of an I.A.O delegation to the General Assemblies of International Organizations in which the I.A.O has the status of observer
- Interparliamentary Union (IPU) – 116th Assembly in Bali, 29 April – 4 May 2007
- International conference of the European Committee (Directorate of Governance and Ethics) in reference on research ethics and capacity building in developing countries and emerging economies, Brussels, 14 – 15 May 2007
- 28th General Assembly of the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly and the International Parliamentary Conference on Pan-European Co-operation with subject:«Intercultural and Inter-religious dialogue», St. Petersburg, 31 May – 1 June 2007
- 29th Plenary Session of the PABSEC General Assembly, Varna, 13 – 14 June 2007
The I.A.O International Secretariat and the Chairpersons of its Committees held with great success the autumn meeting in the capital city of the Russian Federation, Moscow. The meeting was held at the State Duma of the Russian Federation with the participation of the President of the I.A.O General Assembly Mr. Sergei Popov, the I.A.O Secretary General Mr. Stylianos-Angelos Papathemelis and members of the I.A.O International Secretariat and Chairpersons of its Committees from Bulgaria, Greece, Jordan, Cyprus, Belarus, Uganda, Ukraine, and Russian Federation.
The issues discussed are as follows:
Α. Overview of the I.A.O’s 13th General Assembly. Reports by the I.A.O. Secretary General Mr. Stylianos-Angelos Papathemelis, and the President of the I.A.O. General Assembly Mr. Sergei Popov.
Β. Planning of the future activities of the International Secretariat and the I.A.O. Committees. Report by the I.A.O. Secretary General Mr. Stylianos-Angelos Papathemelis:
1. Activities in Africa.
2. Visit of an I.A.O delegation to Jordan.
3. Enlargement of the I.A.O in Latin America.
4. Meeting of the Ministers of Culture of the I.A.O member – states.
5. Venue of the 14th I.A.O General Assembly.
6. International Bioethics Conference.
The meeting was opened by the Secretary General with the overview of the 13th General Assembly in Venice. In reference to the I.A.O activities in Africa it was decided for an I.A.O working group to visit Johannesburg on April 2007 in order to meet with the 6 Orthodox members of Parliaments of the African Continent. Furthermore, it was decided to realise a meeting with the Orthodox members of Parliaments with Arab origin in Amman, Jordan on March 2007. During the visit in Amman, the I.A.O International Secretariat and the Chairpersons of its Committees will realise its regular meeting as well as a half-day conference with subject «The presence of Orthodox Christians in the region of Middle East and their contribution for peace making in the region».
The I.A.O members stressed the importance of the I.A.O enlargement in South America. The meeting of the Ministers of Culture of the I.A.O member – states will be held in Delphi, Greece on May 2007. In addition, it was decided that the 14th I.A.O General Assembly will be held in Astana, Kazakhstan, 27-29 June 2007. Finally, it was decided to postpone the International Bioethics Conference for autumn 2007.
The I.A.O members had the opportunity to meet with the President of the State Duma of the Russian Federation Mr. Boris Gryzlov, the Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation Mr. Αlexandr Sokolov, the Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Mr. Grigoriy Karasin. During these meetings the subject discussed was the participation of the I.A.O in the inter-religious dialogue and the parliamentary diplomacy.
During their stay in Moscow, the I.A.O members in co-operation with the Russian Academy of State Services held a half-day conference with subject: «Orthodoxy and Human Rights». All members of the International Secretariat, the Chairpersons of the I.A.O Committees, Russian academics and professors from the State University of Lomonosov as well as the Academy presented reports on the subject of the conference.
The half-day conference was followed by the presentation of the publication of the political conference with subject: “Nation – Religions, Orthodoxy and the New European Reality”.
The meeting of the I.A.O. International Secretariat and the Chairpersons of its Committees was held in its seat in Athens .
The subjects discussed are the following:
1. The presence of the I.A.O. in Africa . Results of the visit of the members of the International Secretariat in South Africa .
The I.A.O. Secretary General Mr. Stylianos-Angelos Papathemelis, MP presented the results of the meetings held in South Africa while the members of the International Secretariat underlined the positive impression the presence of the I.A.O. left behind at the Orthodox Community in Johannesburg and Pretoria .
2. Preparation - discussion of the 13 th Annual General Assembly with main subject: "The contribution of the Orthodox culture to the construction of a New Europe" which will be held at the Hellenic Institute of Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Studies, Venice , Italy, 21-25 June 2006 .
3. Participation of the I . A . O . at the 9 th General Assembly of the World Council of Churches , held in Porto Alegre , Brazil , 14-23 February 2006.
4. Discussion - implementation of the decision to hold the International Conference with subject : " Orthodoxy - Bioethics - Legislative and Scientific Initiatives in Europe", in collaboration with the European Parliament and the European Commission in Delphi , Greece , 17-19 October 2006.
The Chairman of the I . A . O . Committee on Bioethics Mr . Nicholas Kotsiras , MP presented the efforts conducted in collaboration with the I . A . O . Scientific Committee on Bioethics in order to seek for the experts on issues on bioethics in the Autocephalous Churches as well as the scientific field and have their co-operation and participation to this conference.
5. Discussion and a first approach on the publication: «Music of the Christian East».
6. The I.A.O. financial issues.
• Mr . Boris Plokhotniouk, MP, Chairman of the I . A . O . Financial Committee accepted the proposal of Mr . Dimitrios Georgakopoulos, MP, Treasurer of the I.A.O. for the Financial Committee to have a meeting in May 2006 in order to discuss and approve next year's financial budget which will be presented during the General Assembly in June.
Furthermore, alternative ways of financial resources were discussed such as the undertaking of the publication of the Minutes of the General Assembly and conferences by the parliaments, as well as for the parliaments to cover the expenses of the participating members.
Following an invitation by the Orthodox communities in Johannesburg , the I.A.O. International Secretariat visited South Africa from November 30 to December 4, 2005. Members of the I.A.O. International Secretariat from Greece , Russia n Federation , Latvia , Australia and Ukraine as well as the member of the I.A.O. from the Parliament of Uganda participated in this visit. The valuable contribution of Archimandrite Ioannis Tsaftaridis, who undertook the organisation of the meetings as well as the contacts of the I.A.O. members in South Africa , was decisive to the realisation of this visit.
The members of the I.A.O. International Secretariat had the opportunity to meet with the Orthodox communities of South Africa from Greece , Russian Federation , Cyprus , Ukraine , Serbia , Bulgaria and Romania and recognize the tight relationship between the large Orthodox communities of South Africa . The Orthodox communities of South Africa positively contributed to the realisation of this visit with the exceptional hospitality they offered to the members of the International Secretariat. The members of delegation acknowledged as well that the major mission of the Orthodox Church in the depths of the Black Continent is focused in its charitable work. The I.A.O. members had the opportunity to present the activities of the organisation, to convey its goals and objectives, to present their views to the political and academic world of the city of Johannesburg on Africa's severe and long-lasting problems, representing a considerable part on a global scale, and express productive views thereon aiming at finding viable solutions.
The members of the delegation visited the School of Mrs. Jackie Maarohanye (Mama Jackie as called by everyone) "Ithuteng Trust" for the abused African Children in Soweto , who have experienced sexual abuse, most of them are orphan and are psychologically traumatized. The participants had the opportunity to learn of the problems these children are facing in this charitable institution. The School Ithuteng, which actually means "learning" in the language of Shoto, has been named "School - Dream of South Africa " by the President of South Africa Mr. Thabo Mbeki. During this visit, the Hellenic Parliament offered the symbolic amount of 10.000 Euros as a donation for the education of the children of the institution.
- International conference " Orthodoxy facing the social and economic problems of Africa . The contribution of the monotheistic religions to their solutions ", ( Johannesburg , December 2, 2005)
During the visit of the I.A.O. delegation in Johannesburg , a conference which was organised in cooperation with the Department of Greek and Latin Studies of the University of Johannesburg was held, with subject: " Orthodoxy facing the social and economic problems of Africa . The contribution of the monotheistic religions to their solutions " . The conference was considered a great opportunity for the academic and political world of the city of Johannesburg to record and evaluate proposals, initiatives and commitments the monotheistic religions have undertaken against the problems of Africa . The big monotheistic religions of the world, among which Orthodox Christianism, are considered throughout human history as the moral and spiritual driving force for understanding the world's problems and finding solutions through the frameworks of God's love for man and the freedom he provides him with, to practice good, in peace, with love for our neighbor.
Mr. Derrick Hanekom, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology opened the works of the conference, while, Professor Ben I. Hendrickx of the department of Greek and Latin Studies of the University of Johannesburg, Mr. Eddie Makue, representative of the Council of Christian Churches of South Africa, as well as, the representative of his Beatitude the Patriarch of Alexandria and all of Africa His Eminence Metropolitan Seraphim of Johannesburg and Pretoria addressed the conference. Reports on the central subject of the conference were made by the following special guests:
Reports on the central subject of the conference were made by the following special guests:
• Mr. Stylianos-Angelos Papathemelis, MP, Secretary General of the Interparliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy (I.A.O.)
• Mr. Theodore Ssekikubo, Member of the Parliament of Uganda , Member of the Interparliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy (I.A.O.)
• Dr. A Dokrat from the Moslem Community of South Africa
• Mr. Harry Gouvelis, Commissioner of the Commission for the promotion and protection of the rights of cultural, religious and linguistic communities (subject: Building a human rights culture in Africa ).
• Mr. Ronnie Mink from the South African Yad Vashem Memorial Foundation
• Advocate George Bizos (subject: Freedom of Religion in South Africa )
• His Grace Bishop Dr Antonios Markos from the Coptic Orthodox Church , South Africa
• Rev Fr Athanasios Ak unda , Deputy Dean of the Alexandrian Catechetical School of Johannesburg, Representative of the African Orthodox Communities (subject: Dialogue with African Cultures)
• Professor J.L.P. Wolmarans of the Department of Greek and Latin Studies of the University of Johannesburg (subject: The Protestant Churches and the Great Problems of Africa )
• Mama Jackey Maarohanye founder and head of the "Ithuteng Trust" School for abused African Children, in Soweto (subject: The children are our future)
Mr . Nicholas Kotsiras , member of the I . A . O . International Secretariat Prof . as well as Prof. Valery Alexeev , advisor to the I . A . O . presented their reports on the central subject .
- Meeting of the I.A.O. International Secretariat and the I.A.O. Financial Committee, ( Johannesburg , November 30, 2005 )
During the visit in South Africa , a meeting of the I.A.O. International Secretariat and the I.A.O. Financial Committee was held as well. Issues which were discussed were on the future activities of the I.A.O., progress of the operation of the I.A.O. Committees, improvement on the projection of the organisation at an international level. In addition, a reflection was expressed on finding funds for the future operation of the organisation. The I.A.O. Treasurer, Mr. Dimitrios Georgakopoulos, MP presented the financial report for the period 01.06.2005 - 31.10.2005. The Chairman of the I.A.O. Financial Committee, Mr. Boris Plokhotniouk, MP stressed the necessity to increase the amount of the annual contribution of the parliament-members due to the increase of inflation.
Meeting of the International Secretariat and the Chairmen of the Committees of the I.A.O.
19 April 2005, Athens, Greece
PROGRAM
Tuesday, 19 April 2005
19:00 Opening of the meeting (the meeting will be held in the Hellenic Parliament room 168).
19:00 - 21:00 Α. Overview of the I.A.O. activities since the last meeting of the I.A.O. International Secretariat and Chairmen of its Committees held in Athens, 24-25 November 2004 until today.
Reports by the I.A.O. Secretary General Mr. Stylianos-Angelos Papathemelis, MP and the President of the I.A.O. General Assembly Mr. Sergei Popov, MP on the following issues:
1. Political Conference with subject: «NATION, RELIGIONS - ORTHODOXY AND THE NEW EUROPEAN REALITY» held in Athens, 17 - 19 April 2005. Overview, evaluation.
2. Visit of a delegation from the Secretariat of the Parliamentary Union of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference Member States (P.U.I.C.) in Athens, 20 - 23 March 2005 and initialling of draft cooperation agreement. Perspectives, obligations.
3. Cooperation with the Greek Pedagogical Institute and comparable institutions in the I.A.O. member-states for the submission of a proposal to the European Commission about the lesson of religion in schools.
Β. Preparation of the 12th General Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, 24 -26 June 2005. Subjects, rapporteurs, organization.
Reports by the Secretary General Mr. Stylianos-Angelos Papathemelis and the President of the General Assembly Mr. Sergei Popov.
C. Preparation and discussion on the venue for the 13th General Assembly in 2006.
Proposals by the members of the International Secretariat and Chairmen of the Committees. Discussion.
- End of the meeting.
22:00 - Dinner at the restaurant «Palia Taverna».
Wednesday, 20 April 2005
- Departures of participants.
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MEETING OF THE
I.A.O SECRETARIAT AND CHAIRMEN OF ITS COMMITTEES IN
ATHENS
(24 - 25 November
2004)
The meeting
of the I.A.O. Secretariat and Chairmen of its Committees
was realized in in its seat in Athens .
The subjects
discussed are the following:
. Next
meeting of the I.A.O. Secretariat and Chairmen of the
Committees in Athens , on April 17, 2005 .
. Preparation
of the political conference with subject: « NATION,
RELIGIONS - ORTHODOXY AND THE NEW EUROPEAN REALITY »,
on April, 17-19, 2005 in cooperation with the European
Parliament.
. Preparation
of the 12 th Annual General Assembly in 24-26 June 2005,
in Geneva , Switzerland .
. Reports
- proposals by the Chairmen of the Committees on the
future activities of the Committees.
- Nicholas
Kotsiras
- Vlad
George Nadejde
. Publication
of the minutes of the scientific Seminar held in Volos
on May, 15-17 2004 with subject: «Orthodoxy and Education:
The lesson on religion as a subject of identity and
culture».
MEETING OF THE I.A.O SECRETARIAT IN TIRANA, ALBANIA
(November 2002)
In mid November, the IAO Secretariat held with great success a meeting in the capital of Albania, Tirana. A success ensured from the interest the Parliament of Albania and its President, Mr. Servet Pellumbi showed on the presence of the IAO Secretariat in Albania, as well as, all the members of Parliament, Orthodox in faith, who had a joint meeting with the members of the Secretariat. The representatives of the Parliament of Albania in the activities of the IAO, Mr. Gaqo Apostoli and Mr. Bardhyl Londo (who is also member of the Committee on Education of the IAO) in a press conference, expressed their satisfaction for the participation of their Parliament in the IAO and pointed out the fact that the Albanian Parliament is one of the founding members of the Assembly.
The Secretariat dealt with subjects relevant to the activities of the IAO for the year of 2003 and in addition, the Treasurer of the IAO Secretariat, Member of the Greek Parliament and Deputy Minister of Development of the Greek Government, Mr. Dimitrios Georgakopoulos, presented during the meeting of the Secretariat, a report by a certified public accountant, which represents the whole administrative situation on the financial course of the IAO from its foundation up to date.
During their stay in Tirana, the members of the Secretariat had the opportunity to meet with the President of the Albanian Parliament, Mr. Servet Pellumbi, with whom they discussed various subjects, as well as, the active participation of the Parliament of Albania in the IAO activities.
In addition, the participants had a meeting with His Beatitude, The Archbishop of Tirana and all of Albania, Anastasios. During the meeting, His Beatitude informed them of the work the Orthodox Archdiocese has accomplished in Albania and had the opportunity to visit together, the Hospital of the Archdiocese, may be the most complete health institution in the capital city.
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