Representatives from the Christian and secular media will present the advantages and challenges to reporting on issues of peace and justice in the Holy Land

Representatives from the Christian and secular media will present the advantages and challenges to reporting on issues of peace and justice in the Holy Land during HCEF’s upcoming 7th International Conference. Moderated by Tracey McClure of Vatican Radio, the presentation will include Father Drew Christiansen, S.J., Editor-in-Chief of America magazine and Delinda Hanley, Executive Director and Editor for the Washington Report on Middle East Affairs.

In his presentation, Father Christiansen will discuss the role of journalism in public diplomacy and advocacy on behalf of the Christians of the Middle East, as well as how the religious press has served as an alternate news source in telling the story of our Holy Land brethren. Ms. Hanley will provide insight on how peace and justice issues can be overshadowed in the secular media which also needs to consider competing interests such as developing appealing headlines and responding to readers existing predispositions.

According to HCEF President, Rateb Rabie, “the media today has such a large influence on the American public’s perception regarding the conflict in the Holy Land, making it increasingly more important for us to gain a better awareness of the internal challenges these organizations face. By doing so, we will be better able to identify opportunities for the Holy Land Christian community to express their own voice on an issue which effects them so intimately.”

In addition to this presentation, topics of the conference will also include Christian education in the Holy Land, Christian Zionism, and an overview of Christians in Israel and Jordan. As in prior years, Three women – one Christian, one Jewish, one Muslim – will speak about their life stories and their vision of a resolution to the conflict in the Holy Land and the means by which coexistence can become reality and endure.

The conference theme, “United by Faith for Action”, calls attendees to collective action in support of our Holy Land Christian brothers and sisters by offering Western Christians concrete means to contribute to the long term preservation of the rich Holy Land Christian culture and tradition that faces extinction in the current climate.

Main Conference Schedule of Events
Friday, October 21 – Saturday, October 22
St. Luke Lutheran Church
9100 Colesville Road
Silver Spring, MD 20910

Keynote address: Rev. Dr. Theodore Schneider, Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Washington DC Synod
Conference program, visit this link: https://hcef.org//index.cfm/ID/274.cfm
Conference Honorary Committee, visit this link: https://hcef.org//index.cfm/ID/276.cfm
Conference Endorsement Letters, visit this link: https://hcef.org//index.cfm/ID/273.cfm

Awards Banquet
Friday October 21, 6:00pm-10:00pm
Holiday Inn Select Bethesda
8120 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20814

Keynote address: Most Reverend Pierbattista Pizzaballa, OFM, Custos of the Holy Land
Each year, at the time of the 7 International Conference, HCEF grants awards to people and institutions who have accomplished excellent work in support of the Christians of the Holy Land.
For details, visit: https://hcef.org//index.cfm/ID/288.cfm

Online Conference Registration: https://gifts.hcef.org/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=1000&Category_Code=ConferenceFee

Hotel Accommodations
https://www.hcef.org/index.cfm/ID/287.cfm
Holiday Inn Select Bethesda,
8120 Wisconsin Avenue
Bethesda, MD 20814
(301) 652-2000