The United Nations Association of the National Capital Area (UNA-NCA) Young Professionals for International Cooperation (YPIC), Middle East Committee in cooperation with the International Affairs Society at The George Washington University.

The United Nations Association of the National Capital Area (UNA-NCA) Young Professionals for International Cooperation (YPIC), Middle East Committee in cooperation with the International Affairs Society at The George Washington University would like to invite you to our upcoming panel discussion entitled: Forgotten Minority: Christians in the Middle East.

The rise of militant Islam receives constant media focus, overshadowing all other imagery of the Middle East in the minds of the public, and thus forming a grossly inaccurate, blanket stereotype of the region. Additionally, the Israeli/Palestinian conflict is an ongoing crisis with little or no progress on the ground. While issues like these are certainly critical, little to no attention has been paid to the region’s forgotten minority: the Christians of the Middle East. Panelists will address how Muslims and Christians can overcome challenges between each other to coexist in peace, what can be done to better educate the public of the existence of Christians in the Middle East, particularly through the media, and what role should the UN play in advocating religious freedom in the Middle East.

Panelists include:
– Nermien Riad, Executive Director, Coptic Orphans
– Rateb Rabie, KCHS, President, Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation
– Gabriel Habib, Director of Religious and Cultural Relations, Middle East Fellowship

Moderated by:
– Katherine Marshall, Director of the Development Dialogue on Values and Ethics, The World Bank.

The program will take place on February 7, 2006 at the Continental Ballroom, Marvin Center at The George Washington University from 7 – 9pm. The closest metro is Foggy Bottom-GWU on the Blue and Orange lines. Following the discussion, there will be a Q&A session and a reception where refreshments will be served, providing opportunities for guests to interact informally with speakers and to network among themselves.

See the flyer.

More Details.