|
Coordinator's
Reports
|
Coordinator of
the Network
Fr Stavros Kofinas |
|
Fr. Stavros Kofinas is a priest (protopresbyter) of the Orthodox
Church and representative of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of
Constantinople to the European Network of Health Care
Chaplaincy. He was elected as the
first co-ordinator of the ENHCC at the
7th Consultation in
Turku, Finland in 2002. and re-elected for a further 2 years
at the 8th Consultation in Dublin in
September 2004
[More about Fr Stavros]
|
E-mail:
coordinator@eurochaplains.org
Mailing address:
Lycias 3
171 24
Nea Smyrni
Greece
Telephone:
+30-6944-57 3625
Fax:
+30-210 93 74 217
|
Coordinator's Report
July 6, 2007
Dear Fellow Chaplains,
On the 17th of June, I took part in a meeting held by the Office of the
EU’s Commissioner for Public Health regarding “Palliative Care in Europe”.
This meeting was initially suggested by the ENHCC when we presented our
statement on Palliative Care to the Director of the Commissioner’s office,
Mr. Margaritas Schinas, this past autumn.
The meeting had some drawbacks. Most of the NGOs invited did not come. It
seems that this was because of poor planning from the EU. I myself had a
hard time finding a place to stay because of special events that were
taking place in Brussels at that time.
The positive aspects of the meeting were that:
1) we were present and recognized by the EU Commissioner’s Office
2) we were able to come in contact with two very important people:
a. Dr Agis Tsouros – Head of the Centre for Urban Health of the
World Health Organizations – Regional Office for Europe.
 Dr Agis Tsouros
 John Bowis
b. John Bowis – Member of the European Parliament for London (who
has special interest and a leading force regarding health issues in the EU).
John Bowis Website
EU Profile of John Bowis
After a lengthy discussion by those who attended, it was decided that a
general meeting for palliative care should be held under the Slovakian
Presidency (which is to start in six months). Before that, another meeting
should take place to plan this event.
In my individual discussion with Dr Tsouros, it became obvious that
chaplaincy is not well known on an organizational level. Dr Tsouros was
very receptive to our work and he expressed the desire to see how
spiritual care can be incorporated into WHO projects.
Representative Bowis also expressed interest in the ENHCC and saw our
presence at the meeting and the development as something very positive.
What is important is that with our continual presence in these type of
meetings, even more people become more aware of the necessity of
chaplaincy and are introduced to the professional aspects of our work.
It appears that the Network Committee may be meeting in Brussels this
October. If this comes through, I hope to be able to arrange a meeting
with the Office Director of CEC and maybe with Rep. Bowis. Our united
presence is most impressive.
It was good to receive the first announcement for
our 10th Consultation in Estonia. Naathan is well underway in his
preparations. Oh my! It only seems like yesterday that we left Lisbon!!!
My wishes for a pleasant summer vacation,
With sincerity,
+SKK
Rev. Dr. Stavros Kofinas
Coordinator of the European Network of Healthcare Chaplaincy
(Representative of the Ecumenical Patriarchate)
Email:
coordinator@eurochaplains.org
Address:
Lycias 3
171 24 Nea Smyrni,
Greece
Top
|
