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News Brief No. 3, Aug. 6, 1998
Bethlehem 2000 links-up with Churches The Holy Land Prepares for the Year 2000Bethlehem 2000 celebrates the birthday of Christ. Parallel to those activities related to Infrastructure, Tourism, Cultural Heritage, Marketing and Events Management, the religious component of those events retains paramount importance on our agenda. The Bethlehem 2000 Donor Conference in Brussels in May 1998 witnessed the official launching of the religious sector with a workshop defining the ethos and background of Bethlehem 2000 to religion. A host of international and local organisations expressed their willingness to cooperate with us.
In June 98 a meeting took place between representatives of Bethlehem 2000 and the Jerusalem Inter-Church Committee (JICC 2000). JICC 2000, which is headed by the Coptic Orthodox Archbishop of Jerusalem and represents all families of Churches, pledged to support Bethlehem 2000 in its plans and designs. During the meeting the appointment of Dr. Harry Hagopian, Executive Director of the Middle East Council of Churches in Jerusalem, as senior consultant to Bethlehem 2000 was confirmed. He brings with him a range of local and international contacts. Christiane Dabdoub Nasser, Head of the Church Relations Unit, will co-ordinate with the local and international churches as well as the Middle East Council of Churches in Jerusalem.
To date the Vatican, the Lutheran World Federation, Christian Aid and many other church-related organisations have expressed their working interest in the Bethlehem 2000 Project. During a visit to South America Dr. Nabeel Kassis, Co-ordinator General of the Bethlehem 2000 Project, made contacts with Church leaders and officials to acquaint them with Bethlehem 2000 and to seek their support. Contacts are also being intensified with the local churches. Choirs, international conferences, multi-faith colloquia, alternative tourism and renovations of religious buildings and venues are all being planned to lift up the religious aspect of the Bethlehem 2000 celebrations. NEWS
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