A meeting of the working group and the Secretariat of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions was held in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, on October 7-8, 2024. With the blessing of Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk, Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, the DECR Secretary for Interreligious Relations, Priest Ilia Kashitsyn, took part in the events.
On October 7, at the Palace of Peace and Accord in Astana, the participants of the meeting of the Working Group and the Secretariat discussed the implementation of the concept of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, the Provision on Goodwill Ambassadors of the Congress and candidates for the appointment of ambassadors, the holding of the I Forum of young Religious Leaders, the topics and dates of the VIII Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions scheduled for 2025. The meeting was attended by religious figures of Christianity of different faiths, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism from Russia, Kazakhstan, Iran, India, Great Britain, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan and the Republic of Korea, as well as government figures of Kazakhstan, the leadership of the N.A. Nazarbayev Center for the Development of Interfaith and Intercivilizational Dialogue.
Priest I. Kashitsyn and Professor of Somaya Vidyavihar University (India) Dr. Rudraksha Sakrikar addressed students and teachers of Nazarbayev University in Astana, one of the leading academic organizations in Kazakhstan. The topic of the meeting was various aspects of interreligious dialogue and the activities of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions.
On October 8, the XXII meeting of the Secretariat of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions was held.
In his speech, the DECR representative pointed out that interreligious dialogue has acquired a special meaning in modern conditions of degradation of international law, freedom of religion, conflicts and intolerance. The speaker stressed that the experience gained over the decades of the Congresses of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions is of great value in such an environment. Support was expressed for the practical implementation of the decisions and tasks of the Congress, including the dissemination of ideas of dialogue through Goodwill Ambassadors, work with youth and educational institutions, and the education of a culture of good relations between religions and peoples in society.
During the event, the participants approved the Regulations on Goodwill Ambassadors of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions and proposed candidates for ambassadors, discussed the upcoming I Forum of Young Religious Leaders, which opens in Astana on October 9, 2024. The topics of the VIII Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions and its plenary sessions scheduled for 2025 were also approved. Those present at the meeting exchanged views on the development of interreligious relations in the world, their impact on the problems and challenges of our time.
After the adoption of the protocol and the conclusion of the meeting of the Secretariat, the ceremony of appointing Goodwill Ambassadors of the Congress took place, as well as the ceremony of awarding honorary medals to the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions. Priest Ilia Kashitsyn was among those awarded by the decree of the President of Kazakhstan K.K. Tokayev. In conclusion, on behalf of the Chairman of the Senate of Kazakhstan, a reception was given for the participants.
The Secretary of the DECR of the Russian Church took part in the meetings of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions
10.10.2024, 10:00