The Bhaktivedanta Institute of Rome, Italy

organizes on November 11, 2004,
at the Aula Magna John Paul II of the
Pontifical Dominican University St. Thomas Aquinas
Largo Angelicum, 1, Rome, Italy

A free and public International Conference on the theme:

"Goal and Meaning of Life:
Scientific and Spiritual Points of View",

Preliminary to the International Congress of Studies

“Life and its Origin”

(November 12-14, 2004, Protomoteca Hall, Capitol, Rome)

Chair:
Prof. Francesco Bistoni

Prof. Francesco Bistoni, 09:00 - 09:20 hrs
Professor of Microbiology, Dean of the University of Perugia, Italy

Dr. T. D. Singh, 09:20 - 09:35 hrs
Professor of Organic Chemistry, Dean of Bhagavata University,
Manipur, India, and International Director of the Bhaktivedanta Institute

Prof. Giuseppe Sermonti, 09:35 - 09:50 hrs
Professor of Genetics and renowned biologist, Italy

Sheikh Prof. Abdul Hadi Palazzi, 09:50 - 10:05 hrs
Muslim Religious Authority, Imam of the Italian Muslim Assembly, Italy

H. H. Saidas Babaji, 10:05 - 10:20 hrs
Hindu Religious Authority, Guru of World Sai Foundation, India

Ven. Gesche Sonam Cianciub, 10:20 - 10:35 hrs
Tibetan Buddhist Religious Authority, Chief Lama of the Samantabhadra Institute, Italy

Prof. Vittorio Marchi, 10:35 - 10:50 hrs
Professor of Quantistic Physics, University "la Sapienza", Rome, Italy

Questions & answers 10:50 - 11:05 hrs

Break 11:05 - 11:25hrs

H.H. Guru Shabad Singh Khalsa, 11:25 - 11:40 hrs
Sikh Dharma Religious Authority, President of G.A.T.K.A., Italy

Dr. Gianfranco Di Segni, 11:40 - 11:55 hrs
Biologist at the National Research Counsel,
member of the Jewish Community of Rome

Prof. Laura Provera, 11:55 - 12:10 hrs
Professor of Hebrew and Biblical Greek, Pontifical Gregorian University, Italy

Mr. Michael Cremo 12:10 - 12:25 hrs
Archeologist, member of the History General of the Science Society
and of the World Archaeological Congress, US

Questions & answers 12:25 - 12:40 hrs

Dr. Marco Gozzi, 12:40 - 13:00 hrs
Theologian e Bioethicist, Vice President of the Bhaktivedanta
Institute, Italia (Greetings and thanks)

Public Conference (free admission)

"Goal and Meaning of Life:
Scientific and Spiritual Points of View"

Our society attributes a fundamental role to science. In some cases the prevalence of a scientific approach can marginalize the role of other relevant aspects of the history of the human culture and civilization, like spirituality and religion.

Independently from each other, the reflection upon the Origin of Life causes both modern scientific investigation and modern interpretations of the Holy Scriptures. That is the reason why we believe that promoting a dialogue between science and religions can cause a new holistic energy to grow, adequate to a global development for the humanity of the new millennium. The Origin of Life is the mystery per excellence, the question to which a final answer cannot be given in this world. That is the reason why we deem necessary for scientists and religious leaders to jointly reflect upon it with wisdom, thus avoiding it to be identified with superficial problems, not worthy of a deep analysis.

On the base of this conviction of ours, we invited to this Conference worldly renowned scientists of the different fields and worldly renowned leaders of the different traditional religions. These kinds of friendly academic discussions can play a role in promoting dialogue for Peace in the world. Dr. T. D. Singh, promoter of the Conference, wants the Conference to be a message of peace for university and high school students who are for the first time invited at the prestigious University of the Dominican Order in Rome. Life will be discussed not according to it material substance, but rather to its spiritual essence, and this will be done by calibrating the papers of the specialist speakers to include the level of comprehension of the public. The presence of authoritative and qualified representatives of the main traditional religions will be a guarantee of adhesion to interfaith dialogue. Simultaneous English/Italian and Italian/English translation is at disposal upon request. The proceedings of both the Conference and the Congress are taped and will be published in English and Italian in the Volume of Proceedings.

The Conference is the Preliminary Session of the International Congress "Life and its Origin", hold at the Protomoteca Hall in Capitol, Seat of the Municipality of Rome, on November 12-14, 2004, under the patronage of the President of the Italian Republic Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, of the President of the Regional Council of Lazio Area Francesco Storace, of the Provincial Delegation of Rome for Cultural Policy, of the Mayor of Rome Walter Veltroni and of the Education Department of the Municipality of Rome. Under the auspices of FAO and UNESCO.

Bhaktivedanta Institute www.binstitute.org
Via Delle Sette Chiese No. 7/A, 00145, Rome, Italy
Tel: +39 06 39674459/+39 340 3919 074;
RC/8, Raghunathpur, V.I.P. Road, Calcutta-700 059, India
Tel: +91 33 2500 9018/6091; tdsingh@binstitute.org

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