INTERCULTURAL & RELIGIOUS DIALOGUE

ACTIVITY REPORT 2017 INTERCULTURAL & RELIGIOUS DIALOGUE Activity Report 2017

INTERCULTURAL & RELIGIOUS DIALOGUE

ACTIVITY REPORT 2017

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

WORKING GROPUP MEETING ON FIGHTING RELIGIOUS EXTREMISM MEETING WITH THE MARONITE COMMUNITY OF BELGIUM 10 IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE MANCHESTER AND LONDON ATTACKS 27

WORKING GROUP MEETING ON THE EUROPE-WIDE BURQA DEBATE 12 CONFERENCE ON WOMEN IN ISLAM: BETWEEN REPRESSION AND EMANCIPATION 28

WORKING GROUP MEETING WITH PROF. OLIVIER ROY ON ISLAM AND EUROPEAN IDENTITY 13 CONFERENCE ON RELIGIOUS ORGANISATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT 30

WORKING GROUP MEETING ON WORKING GROUP MEETING ON WORKING GROUP MEETING ON MIGRATION TO THE EU "2017 OPEN DOORS WORLD WATCH LIST" 14 AND THE CONSEQUENCES ON RELIGIOUS DIVERSITY 32

EPP GROUP FACT FINDING MISSION TO LEBANON 15 WORKING GORUP MEETING WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE GULF 33

WORKING GROUP MEETING ON THE SITUATION OF REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS IN LEBANON AND THE MIDDLE EAST 16 CONFERENCE ON THE ROLE OF THE RELIGION IN THE EUROPEAN INTEGRATION - UKRAINE AND EU PERSPECTIVES 34

WORKING GROUP MEETING ON THE HARASSMENT OF CHRISTIANS IN EUROPEAN REFUGEE CENTRES 20 WORKING GROUP MEETING WITH HIGH-LEVEL DELEGATION OF RELIGIOUS REPRESENTATIVES FROM AZERBAIJAN 38

CONFERENCE ON RELIGION AND EU EXTERNAL ACTION 21 WORKING GROUP MEETING WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE SAHEL REGION 39 EPP GROUP ANNUAL DINNER WITH AMBASSADORS OF OIC COUNTRIES 23

WORKING GROUP MEETING ON DE-RADICALISATION WORKING GROUP MEETING WITH HIGH-LEVEL DELEGATION OF RELIGIOUS AND FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM 40 REPRESENTATIVES FROM UKRAINE 24

WORKING GROUP MEETING ON “PERSECUTED AND FORGOTTEN? A REPORT CONFERENCE ON THE PEACE POTENTIAL OF RELIGIONS 26 OF CHRISTIANS PERSECUTION AND OPPRESSION IN THE WORLD 2015 – 2017” BY AID TO THE CHURCH IN NEED (ACN) 41

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XVII INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON THE ROLE OF THE IN THE PROCESS OF EUROPEAN INTEGRATION 43

WORKING GROUP MEETING WITH A HIGH-LEVEL INTERRELIGIOUS DELEGATION FROM INDONESIA 46

VISIT OF THE COLLÈGE DES BERNARDINS 47

WORKING GROUP MEETING ABOUT THE CONFERENCE ON "RETHINKING EUROPE: CHRISTIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE FUTURE OF THE EUROPEAN PROJECT" HELD AT THE VATICAN CITY, 27-29 OCTOBER 2017 48

WORKING GROUP MEETING WITH SPEAKERS OF THE CONFERENCE "CHRISTMAS AFTER DAESH: HOPE REBORN FOR CHRISTIANS IN THE MIDDLE EAST" 49

CONFERENCE ON "CHRISTMAS AFTER DAESH: HOPE REBORN FOR CHRISTIANS IN THE MIDDLE EAST" 50

20TH ANNUAL EPP GROUP INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE WITH CHURCHES AND RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS 52

VADEMECUM 60

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INTERCULTURAL Mr MEP & RELIGIOUS DIALOGUE

ACTIVITY REPORT 2017

Mr György Hölvényi MEP

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INTERCULTURAL ACTIVITIES AND INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE INTERCULTURAL ACTIVITIES AND INTERRELIGIUS DIALOGUE

MEETING WITH THE MARONITE COMMUNITY OF BELGIUM MINUTES OF MEETING Meeting with the Maronite Community of Belgium and representatives of Kurd government “20 years of EPP Wednesday, 8 February 2017, Brussels Group Interreligious Dialogue with Churches and religious communities” Wednesday, 8 February 2017, Brussels.

AGENDA The President of the League of Maronite community in Belgium, Maroun Karam, gave some facts and OPENING stressed that there are 14 million of Lebanese spread in the World (70% are Maronite, 20% Muslims) and only 4 million in Lebanon. They represent the biggest Catholic community in the Middle East. Opening by the Co-Chairman of the Working Group György Hölvényi, MEP Today, Lebanon includes 42 % of Christians of which 39 % are Maronite. Maronite communities are also present in Syria, Cyprus and Turkey. INTRODUCTION

Introduction by Maroun Karam, President of the Maronite League in Belgium György HÖLVÉNYI stressed the role of the Christians in the World and the need to look towards the future and Exchange of views with Special Guests and Members of the EPP Group in the to find a peaceful solutions in this chaotic world.

CONCLUDING REMARKS

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EPP WORKING GROUP EPP WORKING GROUP

INTERCULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS DIALOGUE INTERCULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS DIALOGUE

WORKING BREAKFAST WORKING BREAKFAST Strasbourg, Tuesday, 14 FEBRUARY 2017 Wednesday, 8 March 2017

AGENDA AGENDA

1.Opening by the Co-Chairmen of the Working Group Mr György Hölvényi MEP and Mr Jan Olbrycht MEP 1.Opening by the Co-Chairman of the Working Group Mr Jan Olbrycht MEP 2.Presentation by and exchange of views with Prof. Olivier Roy, Joint Chair at the RSCAS and SPS department 2.Presentation by and exchange of views with Mgr. Paolo Rudelli, Special Envoy and Permanent Observer of of the European University Institute on: the to the , on “IS ISLAM COMPATIBLE WITH EUROPEAN IDENTITY?” THE EUROPE-WIDE DEBATE ON BURQA AND RELATED QUESTIONS

14 February –WG meeting with Mons. RUDELLI: Olivier Roy Joint Chair Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies, Chair in Mediter- Mgr. Paolo Rudelli, Special Envoy and Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the Council of Europe met with ranean Studies EPP Group MEP to exchange views on the so called religious cloth question (often referred to in the press as Burqa European University Institute or Niqab dispute) that is widely debated in many EU member states.

Beyond the demographic aspect of a growing Muslim population in Europe; the fact that Islam is taking hold in Europe seems to put into question European identity. What does the rise of Islam is Europe entail in terms of shared culture and values?

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EPP WORKING GROUP EPP INTERCULTURAL GROUP EPP GROUP FACT FINDING MISSION INTERCULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS DIALOGUE TO BEIRUT, LEBANON

WORKING BREAKFAST 22 - 26 March 2017 Strasbourg, Thursday, 16 March 2017 SUMMARY OF THE GROUP’S MISSION AGENDA

Composition of the delegation: György HÖLVÉNYI, Lars ADAKTUSSON, Lorenzo CESA, Teresa JIME- NES BECERRIL BARRIO and Željana ZOVKO 1.Opening by the Co-Chairman of the Working Group Mr Jan Olbrycht MEP 2.Presentation by and exchange of views with Mr Michel Varton, Director of Open Doors France, on key findings of the“2017 Open Doors World Watch List” (Freedom of Religion and the Persecution of Christians) Wednesday, 22 March

OPEN DOORS WORLD WATCH LIST REPORT 2017: THE PERSECUTION OF CHRIS- > MEETING WITH PIERRE BOU ASSI, MINISTER OF SOCIAL AFFAIRS AND MEMBER OF TIANS AND GLOBAL DISPLACEMENT. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY. LEBANESE FORCES The Minister briefed the delegation on the current situation in Lebanon and raised main problems of the country. In its 25th year, the Open Doors World Watch List (WWL) highlights the alarming increase in religious persecu- tion and its central role in the global displacement crisis. Never before have so many Christians been on the move as conflict and religious persecution have combined, leading to devastating consequences. The persecution of Christians, the threat represented by ISIS, the Syrian crisis, are affecting the Middle East, and Lebanon could be hit by a new and critical political crisis and possible new internal and external threats. Around the world, 53 per cent of refugees come from Somalia, Afghanistan and Syria – numbers two, three and six on the WWL. Overall, eight out of the top ten refugee-producing countries as listed by the UNHCR feature He added that Lebanon, as a host country for about 1.5 million registered refugees (UNHCR stopped the in this year’s WWL. In each of these countries, being a Christian compounds the pressure they are under from registration in 2015), mainly Syrians and Palestinians, is preparing a master employment plan for Lebanese other more obvious drivers of displacement – and often the trouble for Christians does not end when they reach people and refugees. The plan will include a 10 billion dollar project and some 1.2 billion dollars from Al the refugee camps. Madad Fund. This can be seen on a large scale in countries such as Syria and Nigeria. Open Doors estimates that approximately 50 per cent of Syria’s Christians have left the country. Aleppo, which prior to the war included one of Syria’s lar- gest Christian populations, has seen around 90 per cent of its Christians fleeing the city as war and persecution > WORKING DINNER WITH THE HEAD OF PROTOCOL OF THE FOREIGN MINISTRY AND have made it impossible to stay. Nigeria is also suffering mass displacement – last year the Internal Displacement SELECTED REPRESENTATIVES OF THE CIVIL SOCIETY Monitoring Centre estimated that there were more than 2.1 million internally displaced persons in Nigeria. While a number of factors are leading to this high-level of displacement, religious identity is clearly a significant com- ponent. This is most evident in the attacks on Christians by Boko Haram in the north east and Hausa-Fulani herdsmen in the Middle Belt region.

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Thursday, 23 March > MEETING WITH MICHEL AOUN, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF LEBANON

> AUDIENCE WITH HIS BEATITUDE PATRIARCH CARDINAL BECHARA BOUTROS The President of the Republic welcomed the Group’s delegation in the Presidential Palace and introduced RAHÏ, PATRIARCH OF ANTIOCH AND ALL THE EAST AND HEAD OF THE MARO- the main issues the country is facing, with the refugees crisis, the international tensions and, mainly, all NITE CHURCH long the Lebanese borders, the economic crisis and the internal political tension on the draft of the new electoral law. He informed the delegation that the Christians are not being directly persecuted, but that they are suffering the consequences of the situation in the Middle East. > MEETING WITH NABIH BERRI, SPEAKER OF THE LEBANESE PARLIAMENT Leader of Amal party and representing the Shiite community, President BERRI offered a global analysis on “Daech is a global movement and both Muslims and Christians are suffering. War does not have a religion”, the regional crisis and on the current challenges in Lebanon. He stressed that a new electoral law could be he said. introduced only with a general consensus, which could be reached very soon. He reiterated the only solution for the country and for the stability of the Region is the return of refugees. Concerning Syria, he expressed the opinion that the solution should be political one and that the interna- The refugees, he said, represent an economic challenge and a security risk. In addition, children are suffering tional community should be aware of this. very much and there is a lack of education. > MEETING WITH YAID HAWAT, MAYOR OF BYBLOS György HÖLVÉNYI MEP, head of the delegation, made comments on the situation of Christians in the > MEETING WITH NADIM GEMAYEL, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE KATAEB PARTY Middle East, corruption and the weakness of the political elite. He also pointed out the risk of clash between Christians and Muslims. He thanked the Patriarch for his important role for Christians and, in > WORKING DINNER WITH AMBASSADORS AND CONSULS OF THE EU NATIONAL general, for the Dialogue in all East and offered a full EPP Group support. DIPLOMACIES IN BEIRUT

> VISIT TO A SYRIAN REFUGEE CAMP AT BAR ELIAS, BEKAA VALLEY, CLOSE TO Saturday, 25 March 2017 THE SYRIAN BORDER. > AUDIENCE WITH SHEIKH ABDEL-LATIF DERYAN, GRAND MUFTI OF LEBANON > SOLEMN MASS IN THE MARONITE PATRIARCHATE, IN THE OCCASION OF THE Friday, 24 March 6TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CREATION OF HIS BEATITUDE CARDINAL BECHARA BUTROS RAHÏ > MEETING WITH GENERAL JOSEPH AOUN, CHIEF OF LEBANESE ARMY > WORKING DINNER WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF LEBANESE PARTIES The Commander in Chief explained the complexity of the military situation in Lebanon. Crise, instabilities and conflicts in the ethnically and religiously fragmented Lebanese society, largely represent a consequence of the transnational loyalties of Lebanese people.

The Lebanese Commander in Chief pointed out the urgency to stop the war in Syria, the stabilisation of the whole Middle East and the return of refugees. These three conditions are necessary for avoiding additional risk for acts of terrorism, in the region and in the rest of the World. The Lebanese Army is considered effi- cient and is investing a lot in the security against criminals and potential terrorists. 50% of criminal activity comes from the refugees’ presence.

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INTERCULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS DIALOGUE

WORKING BREAKFAST Tuesday, 28 March 2017 08.30 – 09.30 hrs. MEP Salon 4 Brussels

AGENDA

1. Opening by the Co-Chairs of the Working Group Mr György Hölvényi MEP and Mr Jan Olbrycht MEP

2. Presentation by and exchange of views with Fr. Cedric Prakash sj from the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) on the situation of refugees and asylum seekers in Lebanon and the Middle East

Fr. Cedric Prakash is a Catholic Jesuit Priest of the Gujarat Province of the Society of Jesus.

EPP WORKING GROUP

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EPP WORKING GROUP

INTERCULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS DIALOGUE

WORKING BREAKFAST Strasbourg, Tuesday, 4 April 2017 08.15 – 09.15 hrs. Salon C4.1

AGENDA

1. Opening by the Co-Chairs of the Working Group Mr György Hölvényi MEP and Mr Jan Olbrycht MEP 2. Presentation by and exchange of views with Rev. Gottfried Martens on the harassment of Christians in European refugee centres

BACKGROUND

Open Doors: Religiously-Motivated Attacks on 743 Christian Refugees in Germany Open Doors and other NGOs go public with new status report (published in October 2016) Religiously motivated attacks on Christian refugees in German refugee shelters occur all over Germany.

Many of the affected refugees have fled to Germany from Islamic countries because of the persecution and discri- mination they faced. Now they are experiencing the same kind of pressure at refugee shelters in Germany.

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Brussels, 25 April 2017 INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE EPP GROUP ANNUAL DINNER WITH AMBASSADORS OF OIC COUNTRIES CONFERENCE ON RELIGION AND EU EXTERNAL ACTION EU GUIDELINES ON FREEDOM OF RELIGION OR BELIEF (FORB) 26 April 2017, European Parliament, Brussels WHAT’S NEXT? EPP ANNUAL WORKING DINNER IN THE FRAMEWORK OF INTERCULTURAL AND Wednesday, 26 April 2017 INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE Intercultural and interreligious dialogue is the very essence of the promotion of cultural pluralism, mutual unders- PROGRAMME tanding and mutual respect among the peoples and nations at large. The OIC has been consistent in its support for such dialogue in developing a culture of peace, tolerance and moderation as well as in combatting extremism and radicalism. In order for such dialogues to have deeper impact it must be structured and conducted in such WELCOMING & INTRODUCTION a fashion that it can reach the grass roots of society. For instance, it is necessary to develop affirmative action, including through educational programs that can promote tolerance and inclusivity, a significant feature of social György Hölvényi MEP, Co-Chair of the EPP Intercultural and Religious Activities Service cohesion, stability and peaceful coexistence. Fr. Olivier Poquillon, O.P., General Secretary of COMECE INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM: NEW CHALLENGES Inter-cultural and inter-religious dialogue has Ahmed Shaheed, UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief therefore, become even more relevant and urgent for combatting extremism and intole- ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE EU GUIDELINES ON FORB rance. Now the OIC is not a religious orga- nisation: it is a political body consisting of 57 Mercedes García Pérez, Head of the Human Rights Division of the European External Action Service (EEAS) states. Nevertheless, with an aim of countering

such dangerous trends in society, the OIC does FORB IN THIRD COUNTRIES AND THE ROLE OF THE EU encourage religious and community leaders, as Ján Figel’, Special Envoy for the promotion of freedom of religion of belief outside the EU agents of change, to actively help promoting peace and development; and to address the THE ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT IN THE PROMOTION OF FREEDOM OF RELI- root causes of intolerance and discriminations GION OR BELIEF based on religion. Needless to say, parliamen- tarians, as opinion-leaders and law-makers, are Mairead McGuinness MEP, First Vice-President in the European Parliament responsible for Article 17 best placed to encourage informed debate on these important issues and to help in the adop- FROM EU GUIDELINES TO EU TOOLKIT ON FORB: SOME PROPOSALS tion of necessary national legislations and of course at the European level, to be more precise, here. José Luis Bazán, COMECE Secretariat Open, constructive and respectful debate of ideas, as well as interfaith and intercultural dialogue can play a positive Q & A SESSION role in combating negative religious stereotyping, hatred, incitement, violence and extremism. We are however, mindful of the challenges. We, therefore, need to play our role. The OIC with its 57 member states, is committed CLOSING REMARKS to play its part. Fr. Olivier Poquillon, O.P., General Secretary of COMECE

Jan Olbrycht MEP, Co-Chair of the EPP Intercultural and Religious Activities Service

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EPP WORKING GROUP EPP Group Working Group Intercultural and Religious Dialogue INTERCULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS DIALOGUE

WORKING BREAKFAST WITH HIGH-LEVEL DELEGATION OF RELIGIOUS REPRE- SENTATIVES FROM UKRAINE Strasbourg, Tuesday, 16 May 2017 Exhibition on AGENDA Global Ethic 1. Opening by the Co-Chairs of the Working Group Mr György Hölvényi MEP and Mr Jan Olbrycht MEP 2. Exchange of views with High-level delegation of religious representatives from Ukraine World Religions BACKGROUND

20 years ago the all-Ukrainian church council was founded, an association of the 18 most important churches and religious communities of the country. The forum creates a unique platform for inter-religious dialogue. It is Universal Peace indispensable in particular for the exchange between the two orthodox churches of the patriarchates of Kiev and of Moscow, which has suffered due to the conflict in eastern Ukraine. Lately, this exchange has become increasingly Hosted by Gyorgy Holvenyi MEP, Co-Chairman hostile, which has meant that a bilateral exchange is no longer possible. of the Working Group on Intercultural and Religious Dialogue The talks in Strasbourg were intended to give a realistic impression of Ukraine and its people on the one hand, and Opened by: MEP, Chairman of the EPP Group to discuss solutions to the Ukrainian-Russian conflict on the other hand. The religious communities of Ukraine Mairead McGuinness MEP, First Vice-President responsible for can be important actors for the reconciliation of the Ukrainian people. the European Parliament's dialogue with religions Günther Gebhardt, Head of Interreligious Dialogue Department of the WELTETHOS Foundation

“No peace among the nations Tuesday 16 May after the votes without peace among the religions. (approx. 13.30 - 13.45 hrs) No peace among the religions Emilio Colombo 1st floor LOW building without dialogue between the religions. No dialogue between the religions next to S 1.4 (Group Meeting room) without investigation of the foundation of the religions.” European Parliament, Strasbourg Hans Küng, Swiss theologian

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EPP WORKING GROUP EPP GROUP INTERCULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS DIALOGUE INTERCULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS DIALOGUE Conference “THE PEACE POTENTIAL OF RELIGIONS” Tuesday, 16 May 2017 WORKING BREAKFAST Strasbourg, Tuesday, 13 June 2017 08.15 – 09.15 hrs. PROGRAMME LOW MEP Salon

OPENING AGENDA

György Hölvényi MEP, Co-Chair of the EPP Working Group “Intercultural and Religious Dialogue”

1. Opening by the Co-Chairs of the Working Group Mr György Hölvényi MEP and Mr Jan Olbrycht MEP CONCLUDING REMARKS 2. Presentation by and exchange of views on fighting religious extremism in the aftermath of the Jan Olbrycht MEP, Co-Chair of the EPP Working Group “Intercultural and Religious Dialogue” Manchester and London attacks with: • Dicky Sofjan, Core Doctoral Faculty Indonesian Consortium for Religious Studies (ICRS) and Principal VADEMECUM Investigator Religion, Public Policy and Social Transformation in Southeast Asia, Yogyakarta, Indonesia • Mattie Heaven and Joel Heaven, Policy and Advocacy Advisers on countering extremism under the name of Islam, International Organisation to Preserve Human Rights (IOPHR), London, UK Pierre Raffin o.p., Archbishop emeritus Paolo Frizzi,

of Metz, France Academic Coordinator “Religions, Global Processes and Interreligious Dialogue”, Sophia University Ins- titute, Italy

Manuel Enrique Barrios Prieto, Günther Gebhardt,

Director of the Secretariat for Ecumenical Head of Interreligious Dialogue and Interreligious Relations at the Spanish Department of WELTETHOS Bishops’ Conference, Spain Foundation

José María La Porte, Dean of the Faculty of Church Communications, Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome, Italy

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EPP GROUP INTERCULTURAL ACTIVITIES CONFERENZA Conference

WOMEN IN ISLAM BETWEEN REPRESSION AND EMANCIPATION Friday, 16 June 2017 Palazzo Carpegna Room “Commissione Difesa” Via degli Staderari 2 00186 Rome

PROGRAMME

OPENING BY ATTIVITÀ INTERCULTURALI DEL GRUPPO DEL PPE AL PARLAMENTO EUROPEO Elisabetta GARDINI, President of the Italian Delegation FI of the EPP Group in the European Parliament Lorenzo CESA, President of the Italian Delegation UDC-NCD-SVP of the EPP Group in the European Parliament Le donne nell’Islam INTRODUCTION Mairead McGUINNESS, MEP, Vice President of the European Parliament (video) Tra repressione ed emancipazione INTERVENTION AND MODERATOR: On. Elisabetta Gardini Presidente della Delegazione Italiana (FI) del Gruppo PPE al Parlamento Europeo Marco RESPINTI, journalist On. Lorenzo Cesa Presidente della Delegazione Italiana (UDC-NCD-SVP) del Gruppo PPE al Parlamento Europeo On. Alessandra Mussolini, Deputata al Parlamento Europeo SESSION Interventi di : FROM THE DECEPTION OF THE ARAB SPRINGS TO THE SPREAD OF TERRORISM: Lamiya Haji Bashar (Irak), Premio Sacharov 2016, Mirza Dinnayi, Maryan Ismail, Karima Moual WHAT FUTURE FOR WOMEN IN MUSLIM COUNTRIES? Sauad Sbai On. , già deputato del Parlamento Italiano, giornalista SPEAKERS: Con la partecipazione di : On. Mairead McGuinness Vice Presidente del Parlamento Europeo Lamiya Haji BASHAR (Iraq), 2016 Sakharov Price, former prisoner ISIS in Iraq Mirza DINNAYI On. Željana Zovko, Membro della commissione sviluppo e della delegazione inter-parlamentare , Head of Luftbrücke Irak (Air Bridge Iraq) Maryan ISMAIL (Somalia), political activist, Somali refugee per le relazioni con la Bosnia Erzegovina, commissione Affari esteri Karima MOUAL, (Morocco), journalist of “La Stampa” newspaper Moderatore : Marco Respinti DISCUSSION INTRODUCTION: Venerdì, 16 giugno 2017 - 09h30-13h00 Mrs Alessandra MUSSOLINI, Member of the European Parliament, Italian Delegation FI Senato della Repubblica - Palazzo Carpegna Mrs Željana ZOVKO, MEP, Member of the European Parliament, Committee on Development, Delegation for Aula della Commissione Difesa relations with , and , Committee on Foreign Affairs Via degli Staderari 2 - 00186 Roma Mrs Sauad SBAI, former Member of Italian Parliament, Journalist, Political activist MEPs

CONCLUSIONS Mrs Elisabetta GARDINI, President of the Italian Delegation FI of the EPP Group in the European Parliament

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EPP GROUP

CONFERENCE ON RELIGIOUS ORGANISATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT ASP 5H1 27 June 16.30-18.30

Churches and religious organisations carry out valuable work in several critical areas such as health, education, conflict prevention, peace building and poverty reduction in third countries. In the current EU legal framework and their respective instruments, they are eligible for EU funding. However, sometimes they have difficulty in directly accessing EU funds in development cooperation or humanitarian projects as they are qualified as non-par- tial or non-neutral organisations. The aim of this conference is to reflect on how to possibly improve the current situation, with full respect for the rules, principles and accountability standards.

EVENT TIMETABLE

WELCOME SPEAKERS György Hölvényi, Co-Chair of the EPP Group Working Group on Intercultural and Religious Dialogue First Panel International & EU standards: partnerships between international organisations and faith-based organisations on development and humanitarian projects SPEAKERS José Luis Bazán, Legal Advisor, Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Community (CO- MECE), Brussels Peter Pavlovic, Study Secretary, Conference of European Churches (CEC), Brussels Second Panel States and faith-based organisations’ partnerships on development and humanitarian aid SPEAKERS Tamás Török, Deputy State Secretary responsible for helping persecuted Christians, Hungarian Ministry of Human Resources (EMMI) Filip Buff Pedersen, Project Leader, Danish Mission Council Thomas Lawo, Senior Adviser, PaRD Secretariat, International Partnership on Religion and Sustainable Deve- lopment, c/o Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) Third Panel The EU perspective on partnerships and funding faith-based organisations’ development or humanitarian projects SPEAKERS Stefano Manservisi, Director- General, DG DEVCO, Chiara Garlazzo, Director General Affairs, DG ECHO, European Commission Marcela Szymanski, Head of Brussels Office, Aid to the Church in Need

CONCLUSIONS SPEAKERS

Jan Olbrycht, Co-Chair of the EPP Intercultural and Religious Activities Service

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EPP WORKING GROUP EPP WORKING GROUP

INTERCULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS DIALOGUE INTERCULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS DIALOGUE

WORKING BREAKFAST MEETING WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE GULF Strasbourg, Tuesday, 4 July 2017 Wednesday, 6 September 2017 AGENDA 8.30 to 9.30 hrs Members’ Restaurant (ASP Building Ground Floor) Mr György Hölvényi MEP and Mr Jan Olbrycht MEP 1. Opening by the Co-Chairs of the Working Group European Parliament 2. Presentation by and exchange of views Presentation by His Eminence Metropolitan Emmanuel of France, the Ecumenical Patriarchate on AGENDA “MIGRATION TO THE EU AND THE CONSEQUENCES ON RELIGIOUS DIVERSITY” 4. Welcome by the Co-Chairmen of the Working Group Mr György Hölvényi MEP and Mr Jan 3. Preparation of 20th Annual EPP Group Intercultural Dialogue Conference with Churches and Religious Insti- Olbrycht MEP tutions in Zagreb, 7 – 8 December 2017 5. Exchange of views with the guests on the latest political and social developments in the Gulf: HE Ambassador Jasem Mohamed AL BUDAIWI, Kuwait Mrs Ghalia HUMAIDAN Chargé d’affaires, United Arab Emirates Mr Arfah SAMEER, Chargé d’affaires, Oman Mr Saeed Meraj SAEED, Second Secretary, Bahrain

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EPP GROUP OPENING SESSION - THE ROLE OF THE RELIGION IN EUROPE TODAY Chair: Jan OLBRYCHT, MEP, Co-Chairman of the Working Group on Intercultural Relations and Interreli- gious Dialogue of the European People’s Party Group (EPP Group) in the European Parliament WORKING GROUP ON INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE AND WELCOME SPEECHES INTERCULTURAL ACTIVITIES His Holiness, Patriarch PHILARET, Patriarch of Kyiv and All Rus-Ukraine, Primate of Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyivan Patriarchate (UOC KP) Sheikh Amhed TAMIM, The Mufti of Ukraine, acting Chairman of the All- Ukrainian Council of Churches and CONFERENCE Religious Organizations (UCCRO), Head of the Spiritual Administration of the Muslims of Ukraine THE ROLE OF THE RELIGION IN THE EUROPEAN INTEGRATION - Fr Heikki HUTTUNEN, Conference of European Churches (CEC) UKRAINE AND EU PERSPECTIVES Fr Olivier POQUILLON OP, Secretary General of the Commission of the Bishop’s Conference of the European Community (COMECE) 18 - 19 September 2017 Kiev, Ukraine WELCOME MESSAGES H.E. Yevhen NYSCHUK, Minister of Culture of Ukraine (By letter) PROGRAMME H.E. Rostyslav PAVLENKO, Deputy Head of the Administration of the President of Ukraine

MONDAY, 18 September DISCUSSION Reception hosted by Patriarch PHILARET, Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyivan Patriarchate Meeting with a Grand Rabbin Moshe Azman (Synagogue Btodsky) LUNCH AT THE SYNAGOGUE SESSION 1 - RELIGIOUS FREEDOM, EUROPEAN VALUES AND NEW EU CHALLENGES: Meeting of the EPP Delegation with HEM Hugues MINGARELLI, Head of the EU MIGRATION, SAFETY, CONSEQUENCES OF BREXIT, ENLARGEMENT - UKRAINIAN Delegation (place: Hotel Intercontinental, Room Podil) PERSPECTIVE

OPENING OF THE CONFERENCE Chair: Jan OLBRYCHT, MEP, Co-Chairman of the Working Group on Intercultural Relations and Interreli- gious Dialogue of the European People’s Party Group (EPP Group) in the European Parliament Jan OLBRYCHT, MEP, Co-Chairman of the Working Group on Intercultural Relations and Interreligious Dialogue of the European People’s Party Group (EPP Group) in the European Par- Speakers: liament Dariusz ROSATI, MEP, Chair of the Delegation to the EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Association Committee in His Beatitude Sviatoslav SHEVCHUK, Major Archibishop of Kyiv-Halych, Father and Head of Ukrainian the European Parliament Greek-Catholic Church (UGCC) Igor BANDURA, First Deputy President of the Union of Churches of Evangelical Christians-Baptists of Ukraine WELCOME Stanislav NOSOV, Head of the Seventh Day, Adventist Church of Ukraine Gennady BELORITSKY, Deputy of Chief Rabbi of Kyiv and All Ukraine H.E. Mykola KNYAZHITSKIY, Co-Chair of Ukraine - EU Parliamentary Association Committee, Chair of the Oleksandr ZAIETS, Head of the Board of “Institute for Religious Freedom” Committee for culture and spirituality

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SESSION 2 - MULTIDIMENSIONAL EU-UKRAINE RELATIONS: INTERRELIGIOUS DIA- LOGUE, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC ASPECTS - EU PERSPECTIVE

Chair: Pavel SVOBODA, MEP, Chair of the Legal Affairs Committee in the European Parliament

SPEAKERS:

Mychailo PANOCHKO, President of the Church of Christians of the Evangelical Faith -Pentecostals Oleh BEREZIUK, The head of the parliamentary fraction of the political party Samopomich

Gabriele BAUMANN, Head of the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) Office in Ukraine

DISCUSSION

CLOSING REMARKS

Jan OLBRYCHT, MEP, Co-Chairman of the Working Group on Intercultural Relations and Interreligious Dialogue of the European People’s Party Group (EPP Group) in the European Parliament

Note: PAC - Parliamentary Association Committee

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EPP WORKING GROUP INTERCULTURAL ACTIVITIES AND INTERRELIGIUS DIALOGUE INTERCULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS DIALOGUE MEETING WITH HIGH - LEVEL RELIGIOUS DELEGATION FROM AZERBAIJAN Tuesday, 26 September 2017, Brussels MEETING WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE SAHEL REGION Wednesday, 27 September 2017 AGENDA European Parliament

OPENING AGENDA

Opening by the Co-Chair of the Working Group György HÖLVÉNYI, MEP 1. Welcome by the Co-Chairmen of the Working Group Mr György Hölvényi MEP and Mr Jan Olbrycht Reconciliation through interreligious dialogues – examples from Southeast Europe MEP Introduction by Željana ZOVKO, MEP, standing shadow rapporteur for Azerbaijan 2. Exchange of views with SAHEL Counties` Representatives on issues of shared interest such as migration, the Exchange of views with the delegation from Azerbaijan humanitarian situation, security and long-term development. CONCLUDING REMARKS The G5 Sahel was formed on 16 February 2014 in Nouakchott, Mauritania at the summit of five Sahel countries: Co-Chair of the Working Group György HÖLVÉNYI, MEP Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, and Niger. It adopted a convention of establishment on 19 December 2014. It represents an institutional framework for coordination of regional cooperation in development policies Participants and security matters. Delegation from Azerbaijan The purpose of G5 Sahel is to strengthen the bond between economic development and security, and counter the threat of jihadist organisations operating in the region. The EU supports the Sahel countries in areas of shared 1.Fuad NURULLAYEV Deputy Chairman of the Caucasus Muslim Board (Shia) interest such as security, migration, terrorism, the humanitarian response, resilience building and long-term de- 2. Jeyhun RUSTAMOV Imam of the Ilahiyyat Mosque (Sunni) velopment. 3. Aleksandr SHAROVSKY Chairman of the Jewish Community 4. Elnur AFANDIYEV Secretary of the Russian Orthodox Church in Baku 5. Rasim KHALILOV Chairman and pastor of “Word of life” Association (Protestant community) 6. Sayavush HEYDAROV Deputy Chairman of the SCRA 7. Nijat MAMMADLI Head of Department of SCRA

EEAS Representatives 8. Ausra DAUKANTIENE EU Delegation in Azerbaijan 9. Viktorija URBONAVICIUTE EEAS, StratCom East Task Force

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WORKING GROUP MEETING WORKING BREAKFAST Strasbourg, Tuesday, 3 October 2017 Strasbourg, Tuesday, 24 October

AGENDA AGENDA

1.Opening by the Co-Chairs of the Working Group Mr György Hölvényi MEP and Mr Jan Olbrycht MEP 3. Opening by the Co-Chairmen of the Working Group Mr György Hölvényi MEP and Mr Jan Olbrycht MEP 2.Exchange of views on “De-radicalisation and fight against terrorism” with: 4. Presentation of the latest Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) Report: “Persecuted and Forgotten? A • Rabbi Avi Tawil, Director of the European Jewish Community Centre (EJCC) report of Christians Persecution and Oppression in the World 2015 – 2017” by: • Ms Nehama-Dina Uzan, Programme Director, EJCC Dr John Newton, Senior Press Officer, Aid to the Church in Need, UK and Ms Marcela Szymanski, • Mr Lahcen Hammouch, Journalist and researcher in the field of terrorism EU Liaison Officer of the Aid to the Church in Need

COOPERATE AGAINST RADICALISM AND TERRORISM Members and guests together reflected on how to improve preventative efforts against radicalisation and violent extremism.

Rabbi Avi Tawil explained the role of the European Jewish Community Centre fights against anti-Semitism, how they created a dialogue between Jewish and Muslim communities.

Mr Lahcen Hammouch - who worked for many years in Molenbeek - gave a detailed explanation why it is impor- tant to reach different Islamic groups, because these small, separated Muslim communities can be influenced by extremist groups easily. The journalist added that there is a necessity to provide alternatives for Muslims, harmonise Islamic practices and explain the Sharia, not just for children but for their parents as well.

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MAIN FINDINGS

XVII INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE SUMMARY OF FINDINGS FROM PERSECUTED AND FORGOTTEN? A REPORT OF ROLE OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN THE PROCESS OF EUROPEAN INTEGRATION CHRISTIANS PERSECUTION AND OPPRESSION IN THE WORLD 2015 – 2017 WHERE IS EUROPE HEADING TOWARDS ? • In almost all the countries reviewed, the oppression and violence against Christians have increased since 2015 – a development especially significant given the rate of decline in the immediate run-up to the reporting period. The one exception is Saudi Arabia, where the situation was already so bad it could scarcely get any worse. Krakow, October 27-28, 2017 • In Iraq, the exodus of Christians is so severe that one of the world’s oldest churches is on course to all but disap- International Cultural Centre pear within three years unless there is dramatic change for the better. 31-008 Krakow, 25 Main Market Square, www.mck.krakow.pl • This same exodus is threatening the survival of Christianity in parts of Syria including Aleppo, formerly home to www.kosciol-europa.org.pl; www.kas.pl one of the largest Christian communities in the whole of the Middle East. Chairman of the Organizing Committee: • Daesh (ISIS) and other Islamist militant groups have committed genocide in Syria and Iraq. Mons. Prof. Tadeusz PIERONEK • Governments in the West and the UN failed to offer Christians in countries such as Iraq and Syria the emergency help they needed as genocide got underway. If Christian organisations and other institutions had not filled the ORGANIZERS: gap, the Christian presence could already have disappeared in Iraq and other parts of the Middle East. Pontifical University of John Paul II in Krakow, • The defeat of Daesh and other Islamists in major strongholds of the Middle East offers the last hope of recovery Konrad Adenauer Foundation in , for Christian groups threatened with extinction. Many would not survive another similar violent attack. Robert Schuman Foundation in Luxembourg,

• Daesh affiliate Boko Haram has carried out genocide against Christians in northern Nigeria. IN CO-OPERATION WITH:

• Christians have suffered increased violence and oppression as a result of a rise in religious nationalism. In India, EPP Group in the European Parliament, for example, persecution has risen sharply since the rise to power of the right-wing Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Polish Delegation in the EPP Group in the EP, Janata Party (BJP) led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014. European People’s Party (Christian Democrats), • In , where the President has described Christianity as “a foreign infiltration”, increased hostility to Church and Publishing House „Wokół nas” in Gliwice communities accused of resisting government control has resulted in the increasingly widespread removal of crosses from churches and the destruction of Church buildings. Some regional authorities have banned Christ- mas trees and greetings cards. • In worst-offending North Korea, “unspeakable atrocities” against Christians include enforced starvation, abor- tion and reports of faithful being hung on crosses over a fire and others being crushed under a steamroller.

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Friday, 27 October 2017 MODERATION:

OPENING Marek Zając, Journalist and publicist, secretary of the International Auschwitz Council

Abp prof. Marek Jędraszewski, Metropolitan Archbishop of Krakow, Great Chancellor of the Pontifical III PANEL SESSION University of John Paul II in Krakow FUTURE - HOW WILL EUROPE OVERCOME ITS CRISIS? Abp Salvatore Pennacchio PhD, Apostolic Nuncio to the Republic of Poland Hans-Gert Pöttering PhD, President of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, former President of the European INTRODUCTION: Parliament Ria Oomen-Ruijten, President of the Robert Schuman Foundation in Luxemburg Elmar Brok, MEP from Germany PhD, Chairman of the Polish Delegation in the EPP Group in the EP Andrzey Grzyb, Polish Delegation in the EPP Group in the EP DISCUSSION: Arsenij Jacenjuk, Chairman of the People’s Front, former Prime Minister of Ukraine WHERE IS EUROPE HEADING TOWARDS? Prof. Thomas Sternberg, President of the Central Committee of German Catholics , President of the European Parliament Jan Olbrycht PhD, MEP from Poland, member of the Budgetary Commission of the EP

I PANEL SESSION MODERATION:

LEADERSHIP - does Europe need strong leadership? Katarzyna Pisarska PhD, SGH Warsaw School of Economics, European Academy of Diplomacy, Holy Mass, St Mary’s Basilica, the Main Market Square INTRODUCTION: Saturday, 28 October 2017 Janusz Lewandowski PhD, Chairman of the Polish Delegation in the EPP Group in the EP IV PANEL SESSION DISCUSSION: – CONSEQUENCES OF BREXIT Mons. Antoine Camillieri, Holy See Under-Secretary of State for the Relations with States Rafał Trzaskowski PhD, Vice-president of the European People’s Party INTRODUCTION: Prof. Vaira Vike-Freiberga, former President of Latvia, President of the Club of Madrid (tbc) David McAllister, Chairman of the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs MODERATION: DISCUSSION: Leszek Gęsiak SJ PhD, former Director of the Polish Section of Vatican Radio Card. Vincent Gerard Nichols, Archbishop Metropolitan of Westminster, Vice-President of the Council of II PANEL SESSION European Bishops’ Conferences (CCEE) (tbc) Prof. Maciej Szpunar, Advocate General of the European Court of Justice in Luxemburg DENTITY-will Europe defend its identity based on Christianity? Agata Gostyńska-Jakubowska, Analyst of the Centre for European Reform Introduction: Hans-Gert Pöttering PhD, President of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, former President of the European MODERATION: Parliament Karolina Zbytniewska, Editor-in-chief of the EurActiv

DISCUSSION: CONCLUSION

Prof. Vaja Vardidze, Rector of the Sulkhan-Saba Orbeliani Teaching University Rev. prof. Wojciech Zyzak, Rector of the Pontifical University of John Paul II in Krakow Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, Chairman of the Polish People’s Party Marcin Mamoń, film director, documentary film-maker, Reporters Without Borders (tbc)

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EPP WORKING GROUP EPP INTERCULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS DIALOGUE WORKING GROUP INTERCULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS DIALOGUE

VISIT OF THE COLLÈGE DES BERNARDINS WORKING BREAKFAST 8 November 2017 PARIS

Tuesday, 7 November 2017 HISTORY FROM THE XIII CENTURY TO OUR DAYS 08.30 – 09.30 hrs. During the twelfth century Europe is shaken by an intellectual revolution. This cultural change gives rise to the birth of the university in the first half of the thirteenth century. The monaste- MEETING WITH A HIGH-LEVEL INTERRELIGIOUS DELEGATION FROM INDONESIA ries, which had been consecrated as the main intellectual centres, give ground little to the newly created universities in large European cities: Bologna then Paris, Oxford, Cambridge, Heidelberg. AGENDA With a Papal Bull in 1245 Pope Innocent IV vigorously encouraged the Cistercians to go to Paris and study theo- logy, philosophy, literature... and then to transmit their knowledge to their fellow-brothers. It is an English monk, 1. Opening by the Co-Chair of the Working Group Mr György Hölvényi MEP Étienne de Lexington, abbot of Clairvaux, who initiated the project oh the Collège Saint Bernard, soon known as Collège des Bernardins, to serve as a place of study and research at the very heart of Christian thought. 2. Exchange of views with a high-level interreligious delegation from Indonesia Since September 2008 the Collège des Bernardins has been opened to the general public for the first time in its history.

VISIT OF THE COLLÈGE DES BERNARDINS (20 RUE DE POISSY, 75005 PARIS) MEETING WITH:

-H. du Mesnil, Director of the Collège des Bernardins about the “The Bernardins’ project” -Rev. B. Roger, Co-Director of Research in the “Département Économie, Homme, Société”: Researches on the firm and Bernardins’ agency on Codetermination – connection with Catholic Social Teaching -C. Sauzay, Director of the Foundation des Bernardins about “My House of Parliament” an Internet European platform developed by the Collège as well as about the Fund raising organisation of the Collège

Visit of the Exhibition ”Oriental Christians: 2,000 Years of History” at The Arab World PROMOTE INTERRELIGIOUS COOPERATION WITH INDONESIA Institute (This expo showcases works, frescoes and scripts recounting the 2,000-year history of Chris- Indonesia is the biggest Muslim democracy, and the guests underlined that their country it is on the right track tians in the Middle East – a under threat to deliver the right example of the interreligious dialogue among Muslim states, because they has a well-balanced in a region scarred by war and persecution) harmony between numerous religious and ethnic groups.

Mr Hölvényi MEP emphasised the importance of how the political and religious leaders can move forward from understanding to cooperation and learn from each other, which process is the way to establish real interreligious cooperation, where they have the same common meaning in the different fields of the society.

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EPP WORKING GROUP EPP WORKING GROUP

INTERCULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS DIALOGUE INTERCULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS DIALOGUE

WORKING BREAKFAST BREAKFAST MEETING WITH THE SPEAKERS OF THE CONFERENCE “CHRISTMAS AFTER DAESH: HOPE REBORN FOR CHRISTIANS IN THE MIDDLE EAST” Strasbourg, Tuesday, 14 November 08.15 – 9.15 hrs. Tuesday, 5 December 2017 AGENDA AGENDA

1. WELCOME BY: 3. Opening by the Co-Chairmen of the Working Group Mr György Hölvényi MEP and Mr Jan Olbrycht MEP • Marijana Petir MEP, Initiator of the Conference “Christmas after Daesh: Hope reborn for Christians 4. Discussion about the recent: “Rethinking Europe: Christian contributions to the future of the Eu- in the Middle East” ropean project” conference held at the Vatican City, 27-29 October 2017 with Fr Olivier Poquillon OP, General Secretary, Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the EU (COMECE) • Jan Olbrycht MEP, Co-Chairman of the Working Group • György Hölvényi MEP, Co-Chairman of the Working Group 5. Exchange of views

2. EXCHANGE OF VIEWS WITH:

• Archbishop Habib Hormuz Al-Naufali, Chaldean Catholic Archdiocese of Basra • Mons. Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Apostolic Administrator of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem • Rev. Ziad Hilal S.J., Local Project Manager for Aid to the Church in Need

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“CHRISTMAS AFTER DAESH: PROGRAMME

HOPE REBORN FOR CHRISTIANS IN THE MIDDLE EAST“ WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS. hosted by Marijana Petir, MEP Marijana Petir, hosting MEP under the patronage of the European Parliament Brother Olivier Poquillon, General Secretary of COMECE Mairead McGuinness, Vice-President of the European Parliament responsible for dialogue with churches and Brussels, Tuesday 5 December 2017, 16h00 to 18h00 religious communities European Parliament, Room ASP 3E2 FINDINGS FROM THE 2017 REPORT “PERSECUTED AND FORGOTTEN?”

by the pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need. John Pontifex, Editor in Chief

MEPs interventions and questions from the audience

The Nineveh Plains after Daesh. The prospects of Iraqi Christians and the role of the International community. Archbishop Habib Hormuz Al-Naufali, Head of the Chaldean Catholic Archdiocese of Basra, Iraq

MEPs interventions and questions from the audience

CHRISTIANITY IN ITS BIRTHPLACE.

Challenges to Christian life in the Holy Land. Mgr. Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Apostolic Administrator of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem

MEPs interventions and questions from the audience

SYRIA: CHRISTIANS’ ROLE IN THE REBIRTH OF A SOCIETY AMID THE RUBBLE.

Father Ziad HILAL S.J., Local Project Manager for Aid to the Church in Need

MEPs interventions and questions from the audience

CONCLUSION

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20TH ANNUAL EPP GROUP INTERCULTURAL DIALOGUE WITH CHURCHES AND RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS

20TH ANNUAL EPP GROUP INTERCULTURAL DIALOGUE, FROM UNDERSTANDING TO COOPERATION ZAGREB PROMOTING INTERFAITH ENCOUNTERS TO MEET GLOBAL CHALLENGES “20 years of interreligious dialogue offers a historical perspective, with a timespan representing a third of the Zagreb, 7 - 8 December 2017 EU’s history. The importance and relevance of such dialogue increased enormously for Europe during the last two decades. THURSDAY, 7 DECEMBER “Interreligious dialogue belongs to the core identity of the EPP Group. No other political group has this level of engagement. That experience will add to our discussions in Croatia at a crucial time of reflection on the future of Europe”, said György Hölvényi MEP, co-chair of the EPP Group’s Working Group on Intercultural Activities and OPENING Interreligious Dialogue. György Hölvényi MEP and Jan Olbrycht MEP, Co-Chairmen of the Working Group on Intercultural Acti- vities and Religious Dialogue Guest speakers included the Prime Minister of Croatia, Andrej Plenković, and the President of the European Dubravka Šuica MEP, Head of Croatian Delegation of the EPP Group People’ s Party, . The conference heard from EPP Group MEPs Mairead McGuinness, First Vice-Pre- sident of the European Parliament responsible for dialogue with religions, Elmar Brok MEP, Alojz Peterle MEP WELCOME MESSAGES and MEP. Members of the Croatian Parliament and many religious representatives also contributed to the discussions. - Mairead McGuinness, First Vice-President of the European Parliament, responsible for dialogue with reli- gions (video message) The 20-year milestone provided a unique opportunity for debate, according to Jan Olbrycht MEP, co-chair of the - Joseph Daul, President of the European People’ s Party EPP Group’s Working Group on Intercultural Activities and Interreligious Dialogue: “On one hand, we concen- - Andrej Plenković, Prime Minister of Croatia trated on the participation of churches in the debate on the situation in the Balkans. On the other hand, the meeting provided an excellent opportunity to underline the importance of the interreligious and intercultural SESSIONS I AND II dialogue, which the EPP Group has been carrying out successfully for the last 20 years, and to take stock of that THE ROLE OF RELIGION IN EUROPEAN INTEGRATION PROCESS: EXPECTATIONS, valuable experience as we shape future policies.” POTENTIALS, LIMITS Learning from past experience while working towards the future with the common goal of a peaceful co-existence is most important, Dubravka Šuica MEP, Head of the EPP Group Croatian Delegation added: “The diversity of SESSION I - MEMORIES AND LESSONS LEARNED DURING 20 YEARS OF DIALOGUE religions can help us to build bridges of reconciliation for peaceful coexistence in a multi-religious society. Our common European responsibility is a frank and constructive dialogue, thus the fact that the 20th annual dialogue Co-Chairs: György Hölvényi MEP and Jan Olbrycht MEP, Co-Chairmen of the Working Group in Zagreb brings me great joy.” on Intercultural Activities and Religious Dialogue

OPENING MESSAGE:

Alojz Peterle MEP, former Responsible of the Interreligious Dialogue

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INTERVENTIONS OPENING MESSAGE:

- Gordan Jandroković, Speaker of the Croatian Parliament Elmar Brok MEP, former chairman of the European Parliament Committee on Foreign Affairs - Joseph Daul, President of the European People’ s Party - Vito Bonsignore, former Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group responsible for Dialogue with Islam INTERVENTIONS - Mons. Prof. Tadeusz Pieronek, Chairman of the International Krakow Church Conference Organizing Committee - Stephen Biller, former EPP Group Adviser responsible for Interreligious Dialogue - Archbishop Habib Hormuz Al-Naufali, Chaldean Catholic Archdiocese of Basra, Iraq - Nina Obuljen Koržinek, Croatian Minister of Culture DISCUSSION - Péter Heltai, Ambassador-at-Large, Hungary Helps Programme, Ministry of Human Capacities, Hungary - Rev. Piotr Mazurkiewicz, Professor of Political Sciences in Warsaw, former General Secretary of the Commis- sion of the Bishops’ Conferences of the EU (COMECE) SESSION II - NEW CHALLENGES - Rabbi Awi Tawil, Director of the European Jewish Community Centre (EJCC) Chair: Jan Olbrycht MEP, Co-Chairmen of the Working Group on Intercultural Activities and Religious Dialogue

OPENING MESSAGE: FRIDAY, 8 DECEMBER

Othmar Karas MEP, former Responsible of the Interreligious Dialogue SESSION IV AND V INTERVENTIONS RELIGION, VIOLENCE, AND PEACE: COOPERATING FOR MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING - Dražen Bošnjaković, Croatian Minister of Justice and President of the Committee for relations with the religious communities SESSION IV - INTERFAITH RELATIONS FROM A CROATIAN PERSPECTIVE - Rev. Olivier Poquillon OP, General Secretary of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the EU (COMECE) - Rev. Manuel Enrique Barrios Prieto, Director of the Secretariat for Ecumenical and Interreligious Rela- Chair: Ivica Tolić MEP tions at the Spanish Bishops’ Conference, Madrid - Rev. Laurent Basanese SJ, Director of the Centre for Interreligious Studies at the Jesuit University ‘Gre- OPENING MESSAGE: goriana’ of Rome Marijana Petir MEP DISCUSSION INTERVENTIONS SESSION III - Davor Ivo Stier, Member of the Croatian Parliament THE CURRENT MIGRATION AND REFUGEE CRISIS AND ITS CONSEQUENCES ON - Rev. Željko Tanjić, Rector of the Catholic University of Croatia SOCIETY AND CULTURE - Rabbi Luciano Moše Prelević, The Chief Rabbi of Croatia and the Chief Rabbi of - Mufti Aziz ef. Hasanović, President of Meshihat of Islamic Community in Croatia Chair: György Hölvényi MEP , Co-Chairmen of the Working Group on Intercultural Activities and Religious DISCUSSION Dialogue

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SESSION V - INTERFAITH RELATIONS IN SOUTH-EAST EUROPE

Chair: Ivana Maletić MEP OPENING MESSAGE: METROPOLITAN EMMANUEL OF FRANCE, ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE

INTERVENTIONS

- Zdravka Bušić, State Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs - Bishop Porfirije, Metropolitan of Zagreb and Ljubljana of Serbian Orthodox Church - Karsten Dümmel, Director of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation Office in Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina

OVERALL CONCLUSIONS:

Dubravka Šuica MEP, Head of Croatian Delegation of the EPP Group

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INTERCULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES SERVICE Justine De Almeida, Press Assistant, Intercultural and Religious Activities Service

Paolo Licandro, Deputy Secretary General and Head of Service

Nora Kramer, Assistant, Intercultural and Religious Activities Service

Sanja Mijic, Assistant to the head of Intercultural and Religious Activities Service

Emese Hegyi, Press Assistant, IIntercultural and Religious Activities Service

Gábor Török, Policy Adviser, Intercultural and Religious Activities Service

Anna Háromházi, Trainee, Intercultural and Religious Activities Service Atilla Agárdi, Press Adviser, Intercultural and Religious Activities Service

Marian Apostol, Political attaché, Intercultural and Religious Activities Service Teodora Hristova, Trainee, Intercultural and Religious Activities Service

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Published by: EPP Group in the European Parliament Intercultural and Religious Activities Service Responsible: Paolo LICANDRO, Deputy Secretary-General, Head of Intercultural and Religious Activities Service Contributors: Atilla AGÁRDI, Cliona CONNOLLY, Emese HEGYI, Nora KRAMER, Gábor TÖRÖK Address: EPP Group in the European Parliament, 60 Rue Wiertz, B-1047 Brussels, Belgium Internet: www.eppgroup.eu E-mail: [email protected] Copyright: EPP Group in the European Parliament

The publication contains also information from internal publications of the EP, internal and external information sources handled by the Library of the EP.