Technical Information

Data - arrival and departure

1. The Regional Summit on Inter-religious and Inter-ethnic Dialogue will be held in Tirana, Albania between 9 and 10 December 2004. It is expected that several Heads of States and Governments of the Region will be attending. Participants shall also include former senior political officials, notable persons, as well as experts in religion, culture, education, peace and stability issues, democracy and civil society. Their arrival is expected in the afternoon of Wednesday, 8 December. The departure from Albania is expected on Sunday, 12 December.

Place

2. The Regional Summit will take place at the Sheraton Hotel and Towers in Tirana.

Sessions of the Forum and size of the delegations

3. On 9 December, the Summit will open in Plenary, with the participation of the delegations, (each numbering 1 or 2 representatives), and other invited participants.

In the afternoon, the Summit will continue its activity with panel discussions on the following topics: "Inter-ethnic dialogue in South-East-Europe: Instead of walls, bridges - Lessons Learnt"; "The contributions of inter-cultural and inter-ethnic dialogue in South-East-Europe Region".  The following day, on10 December (Friday) the final panel on "South-East-Europe in the global context: Globalization and South-East-European societies - challenges and dilemmas" will take place. It is foreseen that moderators will be chosen to chair each panel discussion.

Addresses

4. H.E. Mr. Alfred Moisiu, President of Albania, together with H.E. Mr. Koïchiro Matsuura, the Director-General of UNESCO are expected to open the official ceremony. The order of speakers will be defined alphabetically by the official name of their country. All addresses will be limited to ten minutes duration. A limited number of other statements may be made at this time.

The Closing Plenary Session will take place on Friday 10 December 2004 at which the final document will be adopted.

Translation

5. Simultaneous translation between Albanian and English will be provided. During the plenary sessions translation between Albanian, English and French will be available. Representatives of delegations wishing to use other languages are kindly requested to provide their own translation/interpretation.

Official Functions

6. A welcome reception is organised on the evening of Wednesday 8 December for those participants in the Summit who have arrived in Tirana by that time.

On 9 December  (Thursday), H.E. Mr. Koïchiro Matsuura, Director-General of UNESCO, will host a luncheon for the Summit participants.

That same evening H.E. Mr Alfred Moisiu, President of Albania, will host a dinner in honour of the Heads of State and Government present.

Accommodation

7. Delegations and invited experts will be accommodated at the Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Tirana, Albania.

Costs incurred for sundries such as international phone/fax calls, as well as room service and mini-bar etc., shall be covered by the participants themselves.

Arrival and Departure

8. Delegations will be welcomed at the Mother Teresa International Airport, Tirana by a member designated by the Albanian Authorities. They will be escorted to the Sheraton Hotel and Towers. Those arriving by road, should provide details regarding their itinerary should be given as promptly as possible to the Summit organizer.

Transportation

9. The Organizer shall provide all internal transportation of the Delegations during the Summit. Local  transport is by car, mini-bus, and bus, where appropriate.

Registration and Identification Badges (Accreditation)

10. Each member of the delegation will be given an accreditation badge. Accreditation/Registration forms should be completed and returned at your earliest convenience. Each participant shall be requested to wear their badges at all times during sessions and other activities included in the Programme of the Summit.

The Albanian Authorities shall ensure security for senior officials and all participants in the Forum.

Press

11. A Press Centre will be established at the Sheraton Hotel and Towers. Journalist should address queries to the Presidency who shall hold responsibility for all media issues. Costs incurred for the use of phone and fax communication is to be covered by the users themselves. News correspondents and other media personnel may be present during the opening ceremony, the adoption ceremony of the final document, as well as during the press conference expected to be held on 10 December (Friday).

Secretariat

12. The organization of the Summit is assigned to the Albanian Centre for Human Rights under the authority of the Presidency of Albania and UNESCO's Bureau of Strategic Planning.

The Sheraton Hotel and Towers has a business centre for which participants may use computers, phone sets, fax machines and copiers at their own expense.