Report on 2005 World Expo - International Conferenc

Report on 2005 World Expo - International Conferenc
“Mediating for Sustainable Development”
at Aichi, Japan
from 18^th Sept 2005 through 20^th Sept 2005

Introductory Speech: His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I
Title: “Sustainable Development and Spirituality”
Time: On 20^th Sept 2005 at First Round Table Three in Aichi Prefectural University.
Representative of HAH Bartholomew: His Eminence Metropolitan Sotirios of Korea
Delegation for the Delivering of the Speech of HAH: V. Rev. Daniel Na,
Protoprebyter of the Ecumenical Throne.
Main Speakers: 32 distinquished guests from various professions.
Number of the audiences: Around 50 participants for each day during the Conference.

Due to the unexpected schedule of HE Sotirios of Korea, a Representative of HAH Bartholomew at the 2005 World Expo Conference, made by the decision of the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate to be in New Zealand Archdiocese from 11^th Sept 2005 until the middle of November 2005 to preside the Process of the Election of New Metropolitan of New Zealand, and to officiate the Enthronement Ceremony of the Newly Elected Metropolitan of New Zealand on behalf of HAH Bartholomew and the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, V. Rev. Daniel Na, Protorpresbyter of the Ecumenical Throne, was appointed to deliver the Introductory Speech of HAH at the Confererence on First Round Talk on the theme “Sustainable Development and Spirituality” on behalf of HAH Bartholomew I.

Upon my arriving at the Nagoya International Airport, Mr. Boris Boileau, one of the staff members of the organizing committee of the French Pavilion at the Nagoya Expo welcomed me with the name card, and explained all the itinerary of the conference with remarks on the substantial materials of the conference with brief introductions of each individual speakers, and took me by a convenient automobile to the designated Nagoya Kanto Hotel in the City of Nagoya for the three nights from 18^th Sept 2005 until 21^st Sept 2005.

Next day on 19^th Sept 2005 the first and second round talks were completed with so much insights on the preservation of Nature and sustainable development presented from the main speakers based on their expertee. Upon the completion of the first and second round talks, all the main speakers were requested to summarize their speeches in a minute followed by open questions from the floor and answers.

At the evening diner reception held at the French Pavilion after the fist day conference, Mr. Lucien Chabason, one of the organizers of the Conference, expressed his deepest respects to HAH Bartholomew and heartfelt gratitude for HAH’s valuable contributions and endeavor to place a firm foundation to the movement of the Ecological Preservation for the Earth, and also Mr. Justice Michael Decleris, Hon. Vice President of the Hellenic Council of State, expressed his deepest respects to HAH and sent warm greetings to HAH.

At the second and final day of the Conference on 20^th Sept 2005, the first round talk started 30 minutes earlier than the schedule time 9:30 a.m. due to the extended presentation time table of the main speakers. There were 8 speakers at the morning panel moderated by Mr. takahashi, a journalist and news reporter for the daily newspaper in Japan. The Moderator introduced me as a Representative of HAH Bartholomew I on the Introductory Speech for the Conference. Expressing thank-you words to the moderator and the organizing committee members for the invitation of HAH Bartholomew I to the Conference, and mentioned of HAH’s unavoidable obligation at the Patriarchate HAH causing the unexpected absence from the conference, and HAH’s request of HE Sotirios of Korea on behalf of HAH, who also unable to come to participate at the conference resulting of my coming to the Conference as Representative of HAH Bartholomew, and of HAH’s Patriarchal Blessings and good wishes with successes for the Conference on behalf of HAH. As a personal note, I stated of the most honorable opportunity and Blessing for my participation at the Conference as HAH’s Representative, and the kind introduction of me. Then, the introductory speech was delivered for 20 minutes in English according to the given limited time of the Conference to main speakers. The followings are main points that draw attentions from the Orthodox Church and international communities;

· It is needed to be defined an unified and concrete definition of the words “Sustainable Development.”

· Visible appearance from the Religious Communities at the environmental seminars and gatherings.

· More insights are required to be presented to the audience from Religious beliefs and conception on preservation of Nature

· A specific question was addressed to HAH from the floor as followed; “What role dose play the ‘Agape of God’ in preserving Environment?”

As a final remark from the Conference my participation on behalf of HAH Bartholomew and HE Sotirios of Korea at the 2005 Expo Conference in Nagoya, Japan was a great blessing and honor not only for my own humble self but our community, St. Paul Orthodox church in Incheon, and most of all many participants at the 2005 Expo Conference in Nagoya were surprised to witness the presence of the Orthodox church in Korea for the last 105 years, and my own presence as an Orthodox Clergy, as well as a Representative of the Ecumenical Patriarch HAH Bartholomew to deliver HAH’s valuable knowledge from the Religious Community, Mother Church for all Christian Community.