wfn.org | Greek Orthodox Archbishop to participate in World Economic Forum

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

                    GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AMERICA
    8-10 East 79th St. New York, NY 10021  Tel: (212) 570-3530 Fax: (212)
                                  774-0215
         Web: http://www.goarch.org Email: communications@goarch.org

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release:
Contact: Nikki Stephanopoulos
February 1, 2002

                 ARCHBISHOP DEMETRIOS INVITED TO PARTICIPATE
               IN WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM FEB. 1 - 4 IN NEW YORK

NEW York, NY  - His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, Primate of the Greek
Orthodox Church in America, has been invited to join together with other
prominent religious leaders from the three monotheistic faiths as a key
discussion partner in the Annual Meeting 2002 of the World Economic Forum
to be held at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel from February 1-4,2002.

Representing His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, His
Eminence will be a participant in the RELIGIOUS LEADERS AND EXPERTS program
held in conjunction with the Forum in which over 1,000 leaders from
politics, business and civil society take part. According to Professor
Klaus Schwab, Forum President, in his invitation to Archbishop Demetrios:"
The tragic events of 11 September pose new challenges. They also constitute
an attack on the freedom and security of humanity, requiring a bold
response not only from governments but also from all stakeholders in the
global society. ?An increased dialogue among religions, civilizations and
cultures will be crucial for a world of peace and justice. Therefore this
dialogue will be a major element of next year's annual meeting."

"Leadership in Fragile Times: A Vision for a Shared Future", is the theme
for the Annual Meeting, which hopes to address some of the major issues
confronting humankind at this juncture: terrorism, the synchronized global
recession, the state of the world's environment, economic inequality, the
digital divide, the West's relationship with Islam and other timely issues.

Archbishop Demetrios will participate in several Plenary Sessions,
workshops and panels including: A Plenary on Building a Coalition for a
Stable World: Who Will Share the Burden?; a working dinner with Religious
Leaders, Experts and Annual Meeting participants to discuss What is Sacred
in Today's World?; a workshop on   Understanding of Fundamentalism in its
Modern Context; an interactive session focusing on Middle East Outlook: New
Directions?, a Plenary Session on The Future of the Media and a working
dinner to discuss Building Bridges in a Multireligious World.