Washington, D.C., March 8, 2006 -- What is really going on in Iraq?

This is one of the most pressing questions facing the nation and the answer is mired in controversy. But this weekend, more than 900 Christian activists from across the country will try to find answers to this and other critical issues during the fourth annual Ecumenical Advocacy Days for Global Peace with Justice, March 10-13 at the Doubletree Hotel in Arlington, Va.

Based on the theme, "Challenging Disparity: The Promise of God, the Power of Solidarity," attendees will explore real solutions and develop strategies and tactics to advocate for building a just global community that nurtures peace, alleviates poverty and the impact of HIV/AIDS, and protects the integrity of God's creation.

Hurricane Katrina, ending the war in Iraq, raising the minimum wage, genocide in Darfur, climate change, immigration reform, torture, the global AIDS epidemic and the Voting Rights Act are just a few of the issues that Ecumenical Advocacy Days participants will grapple with in workshops, briefings and discussions.

Addressing this year's participants will be E.J. Dionne, a nationally renowned speaker, Washington Post columnist and Brookings Institution Fellow; Rev. Dr. Suzan Johnson Cook, who is senior pastor of Believers Christian Fellowship in the Bronx, New York and president of the 10,000 member Hampton (Virginia) Ministers' Conference, a body which represents all the historically African-American denominations, as well as a former domestic policy advisor under President Bill Clinton; and Rev. Dr. Michael Kinnamon, who is widely regarded as a leading voice in the ecumenical movement and currently serves as the Allen and Dottie Miller Professor of Mission and Peace at Eden Theological Seminary in St. Louis and is the Chair of the National Council of Churches USA Justice and Advocacy Commission.

More than 30 faith-based groups* are sponsoring or supporting this year's Ecumenical Advocacy Days, which will provide church leaders and laypersons interested in advocacy, with a mix of worship, music, prayer, issue briefings, plenary speakers and advocacy training workshops. Participants will also visit with Members of Congress or key staff to communicate their concerns about domestic and foreign policies that they do not believe reflect Christian principles. (*see below for complete list).

An overview of the Ecumenical Advocacy Days schedule is below. Highlights of this year's conference include:

7 p.m. Opening Worship Service: Rev. Dr. Suzan Johnson Cook, President, Hampton University Minister's Conference

9-10:30 a.m. "Jerusalem -- Core of the Conflict and Key to Peace" Washington Ballroom

Challenging Double Standards -- Building the Political Will to Fund the Fight against HIV-AIDS in Africa against HIV-AIDS in Africa, Stephen Lewis, U.N. Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa Salon A

Genocide in Darfur

Rev. Dr. Haruun Ruun, Executive Director, New Sudan Council of Churches Crystal Ballroom A

Overview of the Human Rights Struggle in the Philippines Ms. Marie Hilao, General Secretary of KARAPATAN, a Philippine human rights organization and a political detainee underthe Marcos regime Van Buren Room

Let Justice Roll Living Wage Campaign

Rev. Dr. Paul H. Sherry, National Coordinator Crystal Ballroom: Salon B, C, D, E

10:45a.m.-12 p.m. What's Really Going on in Iraq?

Washington Ballroom

Humanitarian Efforts on the U.S.-Mexico Border Monroe Room

Justice for the Gulf Coast

Brad Paul, National Policy and Advocacy Council on Homelessness Crystal Ballroom: Salon B

Voting Rights and the American Promise

Erica Swanson, Leadership Conference on Civil Rights Alaina Beverly, NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund Crystal Ballroom: Salon D&E

2:45-4 p.m. U.S.-China Relations Supporting Peaceful Co-Existence Van Buren Room

U.S. Farm Bill: New Vision for Rural America Crystal Ballroom: Salon A

Debt, Trade, Poverty and the Millennium Development Goals Harrison Room

4:14-5:30 Welcoming the Stranger: Prospects for Immigration Reform Commonwealth Room

Hopes and Fears of Middle East Christians Bishop Vicken Aykazian, Legate, Armenian Orthodox Church and President-Elect, National Council of Churches USA Pentagon II

China, Sweatshops & Wal-Mart: How Do We Get Corporations (and Consumers) to Do the Right Thing?

Van Buren Room

9-10:30 a.m. Closing Worship Service: Rev. Dr. Michael Kinnamon, Allen and Dottie Miller Professor of Mission and Peace at Eden Theological Seminary and Chair, Justice & Advocacy Commission, National Council of Churches USA

10:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Economic Justice and Wage Inequality

7 p.m. Keynote Address: E.J. Dionne

Washington Post Columnist and Brookings Institution Senior Fellow Crystal Ballroom

8-10 p.m. Musical concert: Emma's Revolution Crystal and Washington Ballrooms

Monday, March 13

Noon Interfaith Prayer Vigil for Peace in Iraq West front lawn of the U.S. Capitol