Meeting Between Representatives Of The Conference Of European Churches (CEC) And Armenian Ecumenical Organizations

A meeting of representatives of Armenian ecumenical organizations with the Venerable Colin Williams, General Secretary of CEC, Rev. RГјdiger Noll, CEC Church and Society Commission Director, Rev. Viorel Ionita, Director of the Churches in Dialogue Commission of CEC took place in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin on August 25, 2008.
About 25 representatives from ART and Ecumenical Church Loan Fund (ECLOF), V. Rev. Fr. Hovakim Manoukyan, Head of Inter-Church Relations Department, V. Rev. Fr. Aren Jebejian, pastor of St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church in Chicago, USA, Rev. Fr. Per Pedersen representing Danish Armenian Mission and Mrs Diana Harutunyan, Project Coordinator from UNDP gathered for introduction and information sharing.
The meeting started with a Lord’s Prayer and a welcome address by the Venerable Colin Williams. ART Executive Director, Dr. Karen Nazaryan moderated the meeting. The ART and ECLOF briefly presented activities of their organizations, followed by a presentation of one of ART programmes “Promoting Dialogue for Regional Reconciliation.” CEC representatives briefly introduced the history, challenges and main issues under CEC focus. The CEC opined on ecumenical dimensions and priority areas of ART and ECLOF work, therefore, the present meeting was considered as a starting point for continuation of discussions around particular topics. Poverty situation in Europe and Armenia, migration and other challenges were brought into discussion and CEC requested to consider the issues in advocating for their address on a global level.
The meeting was recognized interesting and informative for all those present. A presentation on regional reconciliation programme and films made within the frames of it were requested and agreed to hand on to CEC representatives.