International Blue Crescent is organizing an international congress on “Global Solidarity” within the scope of “Abrahan Meetings” to be organized on 30th of May and 2nd of June, 2008 with the cooperation of Şanlıurfa Governorship and other non-governmental organizations working on aid and relief.

Last year, the “Abraham Meetings” were held on June 2007 in Şanlıurfa under the name of “Abraham’s Table: Social Solidarity and Aid Week”. This year Abraham Meetings will take place on dates between May 30th and June 2nd. During this meeting, organizations working on aid, relief and solidarity at the local, national and international level will have a chance to get together in the “Fair Area” that will be set up in Balıklıgöl. In this area, NGOs will be allocated a desk to introduce their projects and activities to the visitors, and thus will be able exchange expertise and experience. In the meeting, the results of the “Golden Table, Benevolence Awards ” will be announced, thus, the national or international activities/ projects on the social solidarity will be appraised publicly.

Within this context, during the “International Congress on Social Solidarity and Aid”, challenges on solidarity and relief work as well as the solutions will be discussed by those who actively work in the field and by the academic staff whom study on these issues. Representatives of the international organizations working in the field of solidarity and relief work will participate and/or deliver their speeches. The articles and keynote speeches will be collected in a booklet to be disseminated to the development community.

The Şanlıurfa Governorship will provide the organizations with the desks to introduce their Project and activities, and will help with finding accommodation, yet representatives of the organizations are expected to arrange their own travel and accommodation at their own cost. Organizations that plan to attend the meetings are strongly recommended to inform