(Final Program in Development)

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Welcome and Opening Remarks

His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America, Primate, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
His Eminence Metropolitan Emmanuel of France, Director, The Liaison Office of the Orthodox Church to the European Union

Religious Freedom: The fundamental human right

Rabbi Arthur Schneier, President, Appeal of Conscience Foundation, New York, NY

An Overview of the Issues and concerns of Religious Minorities in Turkey

Dr. Otmar Oehring, Director, Human Rights Office, Missio Society, Germany
Peter Omtzigt, PhD, Member Parliamentary Assembly, Council of Europe, Netherlands
Gregor Puppinck, PhD, Director, European Center of Law of Justice, Strasbourg, France

The Specific Religious Freedom Issues and Concerns of the Following Religious Minorities: (1) Alevi Muslim; (2) Armenian; (3) Catholic; (4) Greek Orthodox; (5) Jewish; (6) Protestant; and (7) Syriac – A Panel Discussion

A representative from each Community will speak

The RIGHTS OF Religious Minorities under the Turkish Legal System

Orhan Kemal Cengiz, Lawyer, Human Rights Defender, and News Paper Columnist, Izmir, Turkey

Turkey's Obligations Under Treaties and Conventions

James J. Silk, Clinical Professor of Law, Allard K. Lowenstein International Human Rights Clinic, and Executive Director, Orville H. Schell, Jr. Center for International Human Rights, Yale Law School

The mindset That Creates Obstacles to Religious Freedom

Dr. Atilla Yayla, University Professor and Former President, Association of Liberal Thinking, Ankara, Turkey

commentary, government of turkey on religous minority issues

Speaker to be determined

religious freedom: legal and humanitarian perspectives

Moderator:
Angela Wu, International Law Director, Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, Washington, D.C.

Panelists:
Cole Durham, Susan Young Gates University Professor of Law and Director, International Center for Law and Religious Studies, J. Reuben Clark Law School, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah
Dilek Kurban, BA, MA, JD, Program Officer Democratization Program, Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation, Istanbul, Turkey
Muna B. Ndulo, Professor of Law, Cornell Law School, Director of Cornell's Institute for African Development, Human Rights Advocate and Humanitarian, Ithaca, NY

Reception hosted by Hon. and Mrs. Howard W. Gutman, United States Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium; United States Embassy

(Final Program in Development)

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

commentary on religious freedom

Representative of the United States Government

The View From the Turkish Side of the bridge: Obstacles and Prospects

Mustafa Akyol, Journalist and Political Commentator, Istanbul Turkey

Are religious minorities Compatible With a Secular Turkish State?

Dr. Bican Sahin, Assistant Professor, Hacettepe University and President of Association of Liberal Thinking, Ankara, Turkey

the view from the european parliamentarians' side of the bridge

Mario Mauro, Member, European Parliament, Italy
Jamie Mayor Oreja, Member, European Parliament, Spain
Dr. Renate Sommer, Member, European Parliament, Germany
Konrad Szymanski, Member, European Parliament, Poland

the positive role of the ak party in securing change for religious minorities

Name of Speaker to be determined

Case Law From the European Court of Human Rights Dealing With Religious Freedom Issues

Riza Turmen, Former Judge, European Court of Human Rights, Turkey

Finding Answers in International Forums, Including the European Court of Human Rights

Jay Sekulow, Chief Counsel to the American Center for Law and Justice, Washington, D.C.
and to the European Center for Law and Justice, Strasbourg, France

Symposium - Interactive Dialogue regarding Religious freedom in turkey

Moderator:
Dr. Steven Ealy, Senior Fellow, Liberty Fund, Indianapolis, IN

Panelists:
Mustafa Akyol
Orhan Cengiz
Cole Durham
Dilek Kurban
Muna Ndulo
Otmar Oehring
Bican Sahin
Jay Sekulow
Angela Wu
Dr. Atilla Yayla

The symposium will be an interactive exchange among panelists concerning various aspects of the issues faced by religious minorities in Turkey and proposed answers to those issues.

BRUSSELS CITY TOUR

Enjoy a visit to the Grand Place and its Corporation Houses. The Grand Place is Brussels' top tourist attraction due to the Gothic magnificence of the Town Hall and the Baroque late seventeenth-century guildhouses surrounding the square. By bus, discover the Royal Square, the Sablon area, the Palace of Justice, the Royal Palace of Brussels where the King works, the European Union Buildings, the Atomium (one of the symbols of Belgium, a remnant of the 1958 World exposition in Brussels), the Chinese Pavillion, the Japanese Tower, the Royal Palace of Laeken where the King should live, several religious buildings such as the Saint Michael and Saint Gudula Cathedral and the Jubilee Arch.

MONASTERY OF CHEVETOGNE

The Monastery of Chevetogne was founded in 1925 by Dom Lambert Beauduin (1873-1960). This monk of the Benedictine abbey of Mont César (Louvain), previously was deeply involved with the liturgical movement in Belgium. When he came to know the Christian East he realized the extent to which the Churches are divided and started to work for a foundation of a monastery devoted to Christian unity. In the Monastery, there is a Byzantine church built as a permanent and visible sign of the constant prayer for Christian unity of the community and for all to see the spiritual treasures of the Christian East. The Church is dedicated to the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (1957).

GHENT

Enjoy a panoramic walking tour of Ghent. In the Middle Ages, Ghent became the second largest city of Europe, after Paris, thanks to the luxury woolen cloths. The city is protected by UNESCO. Its medieval cultural heritage is quite important. You will pass by the main buildings and squares of the city like the beautiful façades along the 'Graslei' and 'Korenlei', the Saint Bavo Cathedral with the Mystic lamb painting, the Belfry, the Town Hall, the 'Butcher's Hall', the Castle of the Earls, the bridges and the quaint streets.

BRUGES

The name Bruges dates back to the ninth century and comes from the Scandinavian 'bryggja' which means quay. It is here that the first stock-exchange was born. The city has been listed in the UNESCO World Patrimony–a significant international cultural property–in 2000. Enjoy a walking panoramic tour. You will be able to see the Grand Place, the Burg, the Church of Our Lady whose brick spire is 122m, Europe's highest brick tower. The sculpture "Madonna and Child", which can be seen in the transept, is believed to be Michelangelo's only sculpture to have left Italy within his lifetime. You will see the Holy Blood Chapel, the Belfry housing a carillon comprising 47 bells, the ancient Saint John's Hospital, the Lake of Love, the Beguinage, all the charming bridges and all the small streets with the beautiful façades and see all the beautiful views over the canals!

Day One
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Depart from JFK for Brussels

Day Two
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Arrive in Brussels at 9:45 am. Clear Immigration and Customs and proceed to the bus for a transfer to Greek Orthodox Metropolis Cathedral in Brussels for Liturgy.
Following Liturgy, a breakfast reception. Tranfer to hotel for check in. Overnight at the Conrad Brussels.

Day Three
Monday, November 15, 2010
After breakfast, an orientation tour of Brussels. The capital of Belgium, of Flanders and of the French Community of Belgium is Brussels. It is the headquarters of most of the European Union's institutions, it is considered the de facto capital of Europe.

The tour includes a walking visit of the Grand Place and its Corporation Houses. The Grand Place is Brussels' top tourist attraction due to the Gothic magnificence of the Town Hall and the Baroque late seventeenth-century guildhouses surrounding the square. By bus, discover the Royal Square, the Sablon area, the Palace of Justice, the Royal Palace of Brussels where the King has his Royal Offices, the European Union Buildings, the Atomium (one of the symbols of Belgium, a remnant of the 1958 World exposition in Brussels), the Chinese Pavillion, the Japanese Tower, the Royal Palace of Laeken, several religious buildings such as the Saint Michael and Saint Gudula Cathedral and the Jubilee Arch.
Stop for lunch on our own. In the afternoon, drive out of Brussels to the Chevetogne Monastery. Return to Brussels. This evening, the group will enjoy a cocktail reception at the Conrad Brussels followed by a group dinner.

Day Four
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
After breakfast, transfer to the European Parliament to participate in the seminars and meetings. Transfer to hotel. Depart for cocktail reception hosted by U.S. Ambassador to Belguim, Howard W. Gutman, for the group. Overnight at the Conrad in Brussels.

Day Five
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
After breakfast, transfer to the European Parliament to participate in the seminars and meetings. Transfer to hotel. This evening attend elegant Conference Banquet. Overnight at the Conrad in Brussels.

Day Six
Thursday, November 18, 2010
After breakfast, a full day tour to Ghent and Bruges. Enjoy a panoramic walking tour of Ghent. In the Middle Ages, Ghent became the second largest city of Europe, after Paris, thanks to the luxury woollen cloths. The city is protected by UNESCO. Its medieval cultural heritage is quite important. You will pass by the main buildings and squares of the city like the beautiful façades along the 'Graslei' and 'Korenlei', the Saint Bavo Cathedral with the Mystic lamb painting, the Belfry, the Town Hall, the 'Butcher's Hall', the Castle of the Earls, the bridges and the quaint streets.

Drive to Bruges. Enjoy lunch before proceeding on your tour.

The name Bruges dates back to the ninth century and comes from the Scandinavian 'bryggja' which means quay. It is here that the first stock-exchange was born. The city has been listed in the UNESCO World Patrimony–a significant international cultural property–in 2000. Enjoy a walking panoramic tour. You will be able to see the Grand Place, the Burg, the Church of Our Lady whose brick spire is 122m, Europe's highest brick tower. The sculpture "Madonna and Child", which can be seen in the transept, is believed to be Michelangelo's only sculpture to have left Italy within his lifetime. You will see the Holy Blood Chapel, the Belfry housing a carillon comprising 47 bells, the ancient Saint John's Hospital, the Lake of Love, the Beguinage, all the charming bridges and all the small streets with the beautiful façades and see all the beautiful views over the canals!

Return to Brussels. Evening at leisure. Overnight at the Conrad in Brussels.

Day Seven
Friday, November 19, 2010
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to JFK.

Option I: Transatlantic Air & Land Package
Recommended for North American travelers.
$3,300 per person in double occupancy
$4,000 in single occupancy

Option II: Land Package
Recommended for European travelers.
$2400 per person in double occupancy
$3,200 in single occupancy

November 13–19, 2010 (7 Days / 5 Nights)
Included in the above rates:

• International air in economy class JFK / Brussels / JFK (for Option I only)


• Five nights hotel accommodations in Brussels at the Conrad Brussels (5 STAR superior deluxe) including:
  daily buffet breakfast, all service fees and hotel taxes.


• Private tours in deluxe air-conditioned motorcoach with an English speaking guide and entrance fees for sight seeing as described in itinerary:


• Full day tour of Brussels and Chevetogne Monastery (no lunch included)


• Full day tour of Ghent and Bruges with lunch


• Private arrival transfer with a stop at a Greek Orthodox Metropolis Cathedral in Belgium for Liturgy. Coffee reception following Liturgy (for Option I only)


• Private motorcoach round-trip transfers on November 16 & 17 from the Conrad to the European Parliament Buildings to attend Conference


• Private motorcoach round-trip transfer on November 16 from the Conrad to the United States Embassy for reception hosted by our Ambassador, the Honorable Howard W. Gutman


• One hour cocktail reception at the Conrad followed by dinner on November 15


• Conference Banquet on November 17


• Private departure travel Conrad to Airport (for Option I only)


• In/out hotel porterage


• Air taxes and fuel surcharges

If you are interested in attending, please respond by contacting Cloud Tours.

Cloud Tours, Ron Donohue
Tel: 718-721-3808
Fax: 718-721-4019
cd@cloudtours.com

RESERVATIONS & DEPOSITS ARE DUE BY AUGUST 27!