MECC

International Ecumenical Relations

August, 2008

MECC GENERAL SECRETARY CONSULTS MECC PRESIDENTS

MECC General Secretary Mr. Guirgis Saleh visited MECC Presidents His Holiness Catholicose Aram I, on August 19 in Antelias – Lebanon, and Rev. Dr. Safwat Al-Bayyadi, on August 26 in Cairo - Egypt. The discussions went on a number of issues related to MECC progress and the agenda of the forthcoming Executive Committee meeting in Cyprus.

MECC GENERAL SECRETARY VISITS HIS BEATITUDE ARCHBISHOP CHRYSOSTOMOS II OF CYPRUS

At the Archbishopric of the Orthodox Church of Cyprus on the 16th of August, MECC General Secretary met His Beatitude Archbishop Chrysostomos II to discuss the forthcoming Executive Committee meeting (29 September – 2 October 2008). The MECC General Secretary briefed His Beatitude about the priorities of MECC such as the Christian presence and the Christian-Muslim dialogue. His Beatitude welcomed the meeting of MECC Executive Committee in Cyprus and offered hosting the meeting at Kiko Monastery. MECC General Secretary thanked His Beatitude for his generous contribution to host the meeting in the mentioned famous Monastery as an expression of the ownership of the Church of Cyprus to the Council. The Church of Cyprus is one of the founders of MECC.

EAST-WEST YOUNG ADULTS INTER-ACT IN DIALOGUE ABOUT CONFLICT MANAGEMENT & PEACE MAKING IN AMMAN

“The participation of so many youth is a representation of the unifying power of ‘Hope’ in a future where those who would have conflict instead choose peace” according to Erica Baerwald from Canada. To her and to the 30 participants both Christians and Muslims from the Middle East, America and Canada it was a unique occasion of encounter and dialogue in Amman – Jordan for four days of training workshop (11 – 14 August, 2008) discussing issues related to conflict management and peace making. The MECC Unit on Education & Leadership Development/Youth Program following a previous youth encounter with people from Europe in 2007 (Syria) organized this event of East-West Young Adults Inter-Cultural Dialogue, which was sponsored by the Mennonite Central Committee.

MECC General Secretary Mr. Guirgis Saleh addressed the participants at the opening session by encouraging them through this meeting to find “common ways to promote intercultural diversity and understanding” and to build “bridges between cultures which will enhance establishing harmonious relations among the people of every nation”. He also asked participants to “analyze efficiently the new challenges for intercultural dialogue and plan for common strategies”. He affirmed, “Building a culture of peace involves providing children and adults with an understanding of the principles of and respect for freedom, justice, democracy, human rights, tolerance, equality and solidarity”.

Other eminent speakers appreciated the MECC initiative of inter-cultural dialogue between young people, which enhances building bridges and overcome misunderstandings. Ice-breaking, expectations, fears and hopes were the introductory session of learning about each others and expressing personal interests, which was lead by Ms. Wafa Gousous MECC Director of Unit on Education & Leadership Development. Participants from Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine, Syria, Iraq, Egypt, America and Canada were engaged in intensive time of training on skills of conflict management, overcoming stereotyping and peace building, which were conducted by Mr. Razek Siriani and Mr. Elie Halabi. Cultural and religious differences made the workshop more creative, challenged the participants to discover commonalities and differences and build a network of relations between participants. Words such as “understanding, communication, relationships, acceptance, knowing the other, diversity, dialogue, and respect” were the motives of the participants to discuss and engaged in dialogue about it. Mariana Khalil from Akka – Palestine described the workshop as “positively constructive. It was productive, essential, influential and beneficial by the ways it was presented. The importance of this seminar is that it will affect my future vision positively”. While the workshop was successful at the time, the participants were eager to establish a follow up plan to be facilitated by MECC. In the Final Communiqué participants learned that “their differences are not barriers but rather an incentive towards having deeper dialogue in the future”. Cultural evenings and sight seeing of Amman city were part of the learning.

For more information contact: wafa_mecc@go.com.jo

For Final Communiqué text check: www.meccyouth.org

SCHOOLS RELATED TO CHURCHES PROGRAM IN EGYPT DISCUSS QUALITY OF EDUCATION IN OVERCOMING VIOLENCE

The annual seminar of the ELD Program Schools Related to Churches welcomed 75 participants of directors, supervisors and educators from different church schools in Cairo - Egypt (28 – 31 August) under the theme: “Quality of Education in Overcoming Violence and Peace Building”. The seminar is organized to highlight the role of the schools in education about non-violence and peace making investment in education. In his address to the participants, the MECC General Secretary affirmed that the schools related to churches have, in addition to its ongoing education curriculum, a special mission to work on which is of educating generations of youth to be “peace makers in their society, build a society which respects coexistence, and formation on accepting the others”. Speakers presented their papers referring to values of love, coexistence, overcoming violence, restoring education, and criteria of restoration. Rev. Dr. Safwat Al-Bayyadi, MECC President reflected in his paper on love as a tool to overcome violence and build peace.

For more information contact: wafa_mecc@go.com.jo

PCUSA DELEGATION VISITS MECC

The General Secretary Mr. Guirguis Saleh welcomed a delegation from the Presbyterian Church of USA at the MECC headquarters in Beirut on Tuesday August 26. The delegation was composed of Rev. Farrell Hunter, Rev. Dr. Victor Makari, Ms. Sara Lisherness, Ms. Carole Adcock and Tom Taylor, and accompanied by MECC Associate General Secretary Rev. Nuhad Toume. The Meeting was an opportunity to brief the guests on the different areas of work of the Council in the region. Some Associate General Secretaries, Directors and Program Coordinators outlined their respective programs and units and responded to questions of clarification. At the end of the meeting the General Secretary thanked the delegation for coming and offered them the MECC Logo as a token of gratitude and partnership.

For more information contact: ntoumeh@cyberia.net.lb

YOUNG CHRISTIANS AND MUSLIMS EXPLORE IMPACT OF RELIGIONS ON NATIONAL PEACE

“To use religion as a tool for peace and enforce citizenship, to make Arab Christianity a true partner in international Christian-Muslim dialogue, to use dialogue as a tool to understand and accept other, to overcome stereotyping about religions, and to work as Christians and Muslims together in a diverse society” are corner stones of MECC involvement in Christian-Muslim dialogue according to MECC General Secretary. The Christian-Muslim Youth seminar, which MECC has organized in Lebanon (27 – 31 August, 2008) attracted 35 young Christians and Muslims from Lebanon. Syria, Jordan, and Egypt. The Seminar, which was lead by Fr. Fadi Daou, MECC Associate General Secretary and Director of Christian-Muslim Dialogue Program, tackled the theme of “Religions as a Tool of Establishing National Peace”. Issues of religions and diversity, criteria of diversities, overcoming stereotyping, overcoming violence and establishing peace were the main focus of panels and discussions among the participants. The agenda included also role-playing; cultural evenings, and proposed small projects for follow up. Participants had the chance to meet some religious Christian and Muslim figures in Lebanon. Since 2004, the MECC has organized 10 Christian-Muslim youth seminars in Lebanon, Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Iran.

For more information contact: fadi.daou@usj.edu.lb

A DAY OF MEDICATION FOR PALESTINIAN REFUGEES IN AMMAN

“This day of medication was a blessing for me and my child because it is Friday and everybody is closed” said one of those who benefited from the DSPR medication day on Friday 27th of July in Jannaá/Zarqa – Jordan. Many women, children and elderly arrived to the Dawaymeh Social Development Centre in Zarqa to receive free medication and medicines. There were six doctors, two pharmacists and five volunteers. It is estimated that (400) people benefited from that day.

For more information contact: dsprchairperson@yahoo.com

(Department of Services for Palestinian Refugees)

ICCO DISCUSSES WITH MECC PARTNERSHIP ISSUES

Mr. Feije Duim from ICCO Netherlands met with MECC General Secretary and Finance Secretary in the headquarters of Beirut. The day long of 25th of August went on discussing issues related to MECC activities, projects, future plan and budget. ICCO is one of the MECC main partners.

For more information contact: guirgissaleh@cyberia.net.lb

MECC PARTICPATES IN NCA TRAINING SEMINAR

The Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) organized a four-day training seminar in Amman 19-22 August. The NCA’s partners in the Middle East region sent their representative to the seminar. Mr. Elias El Halabi the Associate General Secretary, Ms. Gabi Monayar and Mrs. Celine el Kik attended the training on behalf of MECC. The Training focused on equipping the participants with the knowledge about the Right Based Approach and the Logical Frame approach.

For more information contact: eliashalabi@yahoo.com

MECC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE WILL MEET TOWARDS THE END OF SEPTEMBER

The MECC Executive Committee will meet 30 September – 2 October, 2008 at Kiko Monastery in Cyprus, hosted by the Church of Cyprus as a generous in kind contribution to the Council. The meeting is normally moderated by MECC four Presidents. The three days meeting will include General Secretary’s report, reports on MECC activities during the last seven months including the finance report, panel discussions, and assessments of MECC work. A half-day is given to the meetings of the Commissions of the Units to assess the progress of the activities and advice on issues and recommendations.

For more information contact: guirgissaleh@cyberia.net.lb

AN MECC CONGRATULATION MESSAGE AT RAMADAN

At the occasion of starting the Ramadan fasting month for Muslims, the MECC General Secretary issued a congratulation message to Muslims wishing them a month of blessings, tolerance, charity, and prayer to God for peace and justice in the region.