From: Mira Yardemian
Public Relations Director
Haigazian University
Mexique Street, Kantari
P.O. Box 11-1748
Riad El Solh 1107 2090
Beirut – Lebanon

Haigazian University Appreciates the International Committee of the
Red Cross Delegation to Lebanon

In spite of the gloom in the country over the recent national crisis,
a number of people could overcome the prevailing mood and attend the
cultural hour public lecture on Thursday, November 30, 2006, at
7:00p.m. in the Auditorium of Haigazian University.

The lecturer was Mr. Juan Koderque, in his first public appearance
after being appointed to head the International Committee of the Red
Cross Delegation to Lebanon, which will be commemorating its 40 years
of humanitarian service in Lebanon in 2007. The lecture was about the
legacy of Mr. Henry Dunant, the Swiss businessman, who was the key
figure in establishing the International Committee of the Red Cross
(ICRC).

In her opening words, the Dean of Arts & Sciences, Dr. Arda Ekmekji,
talked about Mr. Dunant, who received the Nobel Prize for Peace in
1901. Then she introduced the Spanish speaker, Mr. Juan Koderque, who
had served in some of the ~Shot~T zones (Apkhazia, Georgia, Kongo,
the Sudan, Gaza and the Ivory Coast) of the world before being
appointed to his present post in Lebanon.

Mr. Koderque~Rs speech started with the history of the international
movement of humanitarian aid which included the ICRC, the Geneva
Conventions and the Federation of the Red Cross & the Red Crescent.

He said that their main task was to help the victims of wars and
natural disasters. But the ICRC, along with the national Red Cross
Societies, also visits war and political prisoners & detainees, helps
the latter to be in touch with their families, and is available at
the devastation zones to assist the people in infrastructural needs
(water, medical help and shelter) that may arise because of
hostilities and natural disasters. The lecturer also noted that in
times of peace the ICRC works to promote the International
Humanitarian Law (IHL) and tries to secure its recognition by all the
countries of the world.

It was noteworthy that Mr. Koderque highly praised the Lebanese
National Red Cross Society, who, along with the Lebanese Red Crescent
~Swere on the front lines to help the victims during the last war on
Lebanon in the summer of 2006,~T he said.

After the speech the audience present watched a film on the
humanitarian services of the ICRC and addressed any questions they
had.

The evening ended with Rev. Dr. Paul Haidostian, the President of
Haigazian University, presenting an appreciation token to the ICRC
Delegation in Lebanon for their outstanding and exceptional
humanitarian services to the Lebanese people.

Public Relations Office
Haigazian University

Dec. 1, 2006

Vartoug Balekjian
President’s Secretary
Haigazian University
P.O. Box 11-1748
Riad El Solh, 1107 2090
Beirut, Lebanon
Tel./fax: 00-961-1-739 412
E-mail: vart@haigazian.edu.lb