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11 December 2003, 15h30-17h00

Ecumenical Centre - 150 route de Ferney, Geneva

(Only by invitation – Press representatives

must register in advance to attend, see below)

The visit programme includes the only public lecture to be given by H.E. Mohammad Khatami, president of the Islamic Republic of Iran, during his presence in Geneva.

The lecture, on “Interreligious Dialogue and International Relations”, will be delivered in the Ecumenical Centre’s main hall at 15h30.

The prime minister of Norway, Rev. Kjell Magne Bondevik, and WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Konrad Raiser will open the dialogue with President Khatami after the lecture. Questions from the audience will be allowed.

The visit programme includes a meeting with both outgoing and incoming WCC general secretaries Rev. Dr Konrad Raiser and Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia.

About H.E. Mohammad Khatami

President Mohammad Khatami, who holds degrees in philosophy, religious studies and educational sciences, is well known for his initiative on a "Dialogue among Civilizations" at the 53rd Session of UN general assembly in September 1998, and for proclamation of the year 2001 as the UN "Year of Dialogue among Civilizations" following his proposal. More recently, he has stated that "the Dialogue among Civilizations and a coalition for peace are the means to end the current atmosphere of hostility in the international community," and that the international campaign against terrorism will be successful if justice prevails in the world community and the rights of people are honoured.

President Khatami will speak in Farsi. Interpretation into French and English will be provided.

IMPORTANT: Advance registration is necessary due to security reasons. Please call or send an e-mail to the WCC Media Relations Office by Wednesday 10 December noon.

WCC Media Relations Office: tel: 022 791 6153 / 6421 / 6061