October 29, 2004

Five countries in 21 days await World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia in Latin America, in what will be his first visit to the region since he took up the post.

From November 1 to 21 Kobia will visit Bolivia, Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Chile in that order. The agenda includes meetings with leaders and members of Christian churches, ecumenical organizations and other religious communities, as well as with representatives from civil society and government authorities.

In Porto Alegre, Brazil, Kobia will participate in the Planning Committee meeting for the 9th WCC Assembly, to be held in this city in February 2006.

Some highlights of the visit are the following (a more detailed programme in Spanish will be available on our website, see below):

Bolivia - La Paz (November 1-4)

An interview with President Carlos Mesa Gisbert (to be confirmed) as well as with opposition leader Evo Morales are on the agenda. Kobia will also visit the Ombudsman and the Permanent Human Rights Assembly and will meet with Church leaders. The trip will also include a visit to Kheaskapa (District of Kollasuyo and Ancoraimes) and Kalasaya.

A press conference is planned for November 3 in the afternoon (venue and time to be confirmed).

Press contact: Paula Valdez 71-29-5555 paulayvs@yahoo.es or pvaldez@bolivia.com.

Brasil - Brasilia (November 5-6)

The highlights of his agenda in Brasilia include an interview with President Inacio Da Silva and possibly some members of his cabinet. Kobia will also preach during an ecumenical service in the Anglican Cathedral.

Press contact in Brasilia: Ervino Schmidt 55-61-321-4034 conic.brasil@terra..com.br.

Brasil - Salvador (November 7-8)

In Salvador, Kobia will meet with Cardinal Geraldo Magela (Brazilian National Bishops' Conference) and will visit the Northeastern Catholic Bishops' Conference (Bahia and Sergipe). He will also meet with representatives from social and ecumenical organizations, including the Ecumenical Service Coordinating Committee (CESE) and the Center of Bible Studies (CEBI) as well as with representatives from Afro-Brazilian religions.

Press contact in Salvador: Eliana Rollemberg 9983-5227 eliana@cese.org.br.

Brasil - Porto Alegre (November 9-13)

In Porto Alegre, the WCC general secretary will participate, together with local leaders in a press conference planned for Tuesday November 9 at 14:00 (venue to be confirmed). That same evening he will preach at an ecumenical service in the Anglican Cathedral.

On November 11 he will meet with Governor Germano Rigotto and the city's Mayor Joao Verle. He will also visit the Campus of the Pontifical Catholic University (PUC), site of the IX Assembly.

During the rest of his stay in Porto Alegre, Kobia will participate in the WCC Assembly Planning Committee meeting and will meet with local Church leaders. On November 12 he will visit the Theological Seminary of Sao Leopoldo.

Press contact in Porto Alegre: Caroline Str|ssmann 55-51-3221-3433 carol@ieclb.org.br.

Argentina - Buenos Aires (November 14-16)

An interview with President Nestor Kirchner (to be confirmed) is one of the key items on the agenda, which also includes a meeting with Foreign Minister Rafael Bielsa, a reception in the San Martin Palace and a ceremony where the WCC secretary general will be granted the title of Illustrious Visitor to the city of Buenos Aires.

On the academic front, he will be named an Honorary Professor of the University of Buenos Aires and will offer a public lecture on Violence and Globalization during an academic and cultural act in the Golden Hall of the city's Parliament.

The ecumenical chapter of the agenda includes meetings with Church leaders and ecumenical organizations, a visit to an ecumenical service project in a poor neighborhood, and a meeting with representatives from social organizations, unions and human rights groups.

A meeting with the press is planned for Monday November 15 at 11:00 in the San Martin Palace.

Press contacts in Argentina: Gabriela Zerbin 4787-0436 comunicacion@ierp.org.ar Daniel Favaro danielfavaro@infovia.com.ar Claudia Florentmn clauflorentin@fibertel.com.ar.

Uruguay, Montevideo (November 17-18)

In Montevideo, as well as meetings with representatives from churches and ecumenical organizations, Kobia will meet with the city's Mayor Mariano Arana Sanchez (to be confirmed) and with relatives of the detained-disappeared. On Thursday he will travel to Colonia Valdense where he will meet with church representatives and visit the Emmanuel Center.

A meeting with the press (time and venure to be confirmed) will take place Wednesday, 17 November in the afternoon.

Press contact in Uruguay: Anmbal Sicardi 413-65-52/54 iemucomunicaciones@adinet.com.uy.

Chile, Santiago (November 19-20)

The final stage of the trip will include a meeting with the General Secreatry of the Presidency in the La Moneda palace, as well as meetings with representatives from churches and ecumenical organizations. Kobia will also meet with Pentecostal bishops and pastors and will visit the memorial for the victims of the military regime in Villa Grimaldi. On Friday the 19th he will travel to Curico, where he will preach in the Pentecostal Church.

World Council of Churches