DUBROVNIK DUBROVNIK, May 11 (Hina) - The regional Caritas conference Europe 2004 opened in the southern Croatian seaside resort of Dubrovnik on Tuesday, pooling about 100 Caritas leaders from every European country.
DUBROVNIK, May 11 (Hina) - The regional Caritas conference Europe 2004
opened in the southern Croatian seaside resort of Dubrovnik on
Tuesday, pooling about 100 Caritas leaders from every European
country.#L#
The conference, which closes on May 15, is chaired by Caritas Europe
president Denis Vienot. Attending the opening was Croatia's deputy
prime minister and minister of the family, war veterans and
inter-generation solidarity Jadranka Kosor.
Participants in the conference are expected to adopt a strategy of
Caritas Europe's activity for the next 10 years.
The host of the event, Caritas Croatia president Ivan Prendja,
recalled the role Caritas Europe played in Croatia during the 1990s
war of independence. He said Croatia was in a different position today
and that its Caritas was helping people around the world.
Deputy PM Kosor said the humanitarian aid Caritas provided during and
after Croatia's Homeland War, especially to refugees and displaced
persons, had been invaluable and immeasurable.
She added the joint goal of Caritas and the government today was the
implementation of social programmes.
The participants in the conference were also welcomed by the deputy
chairman of the Ukrainian parliament's committee on European
integration, Roman Zvarych, and the secretary-general of the Council
of European Bishops' Conferences, Aldo Giordano.
(Hina) ha