Image

To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, the World Council of Churches (WCC) in cooperation with Green Cross International is organizing an

INTERFAITH CEREMONY AND PANEL DISCUSSION

at the Ecumenical Centre

150 route de Ferney, Geneva

on Wednesday 26 April 2006 at 18:30 / 19:15

Representatives of Geneva's Jewish, Islamic and Christian communities will participate in the ceremony (see programme below).

A member of the discussion panel, Russian Orthodox Church representative Rev. Mikhail Gundaev will comment on his Church's decision to make St Thomas Sunday, 30 April, a day of prayer for the victims and the survivors of Chernobyl in all Russian Orthodox churches.

Ceremonies and prayers are being organized by churches in several other European countries and cities including Kiev, Berlin, Vienna, Rome, Budapest, Exeter and Bern.

Another panel member, Green Cross International communications director Mrs Nadia Sikorsky, will present her organization's Chernobyl-related activities.

A Geneva-based non-governmental organization concerned with environmental problems, Green Cross International is chaired by former USSR president Mikhail Gorbachev, and runs social, medical and education programmes among populations living in still contaminated parts of Ukraine, Belarus and Russia.

Programme and speakers

18:30 Interfaith ceremony with the participation of

Rabbi François Garaï, Liberal Jewish Community

Mr Hafid Ouardiri, spokesperson, Islamic Cultural Foundation

Mr Léonard De Pury, representative of the Rassemblement des Églises chrétiennes de Genève - RECG (Geneva gathering of Christian Churches)

19:15 Panel discussion followed by a questions and answers session

Ms Ariane Hentsch, youth, from the Geneva Interreligious Pplatform

Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia, general secretary of the World Council of Churches - welcome speech

Rev. Mikhail Gundaev, representative Russian Orthodox Church - reflections

Mrs Nadia Sikorsky, director of communications, Green Cross International - presentation of the organization's Chernobyl-related activities.

Press representatives who wish to interview any of the above-mentioned speakers are requested to contact the media representative for this event: Nadia Sikorsky at +41 (0)22 789 1662 or [email protected] .

More information on Green Cross International is available on their website at:www.greencrossinternational.net

Address by Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia