Monday, 6 July 2009
On July 1-2, 2009 Astana hosts the 3rd Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions.
Delegations from different directions of three world religions, as well as traditional religions will take part in the work of the Congress. Participation of more than 60 delegations from different religious confessions, honourable guests and representatives from international organizations, such as the United Nations, Islamic Conference Organization, OSCE and UNESCO are expected.
In the first day of Congress the plenary session will take place on a theme: "The role of religious leaders in construction of the world based on tolerance, mutual respect and cooperation".
The second day of action will be devoted to the work in three sections: "Moral and cultural wealth, world ethics", "Dialogue and cooperation" and "Solidarity, especially in crises".
Following the results of the Forum adoption of the total document - Reference of the participants of the Third Congress is planned.
Within the frameworks of the Congress meetings of the President of Republic of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev with the Leaders of world religions and guests of honour such as Sheikh Mohammed Said Tantaui - the Supreme Imam of the University of Al-Azkhar, Mohamed Ahmed Sherif - Secretary General of the World Islamic Call Society, President of Papal Council on interreligious dialogue, the Cardinal Jean-Luis Tauran, Main Ashenazi Rabbin of Israel Yona Metzger, the Chief Sefardim Rabbin of Israel Shlomo Amar, President of Israel Simon Peres, the Assistant of the UN Secretary General, General Director of the European branch of United Nations Sergei Ordzhonikidze, the Secretary General of OSCE Mark Perren de Brishambo, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Spain Miguel Moratinos, the ex-Prime Minister of Norway Kjell Bondevik, Director of Secretariat of the Alliance of Civilizations Marc Scheuer etc. will take place.
The Congress of the leaders of world and traditional religions has been internationally recognized as an effective dialogue platform for peace and consent advancement on our planet. Kazakhstan, being an example of successful model of interethnic and interconfessional consent, has become a venue for this unique forum.
President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev as the Head of State and politician, in full measure realizing the increased role of the religion in the society, put forward the initiative of holding a forum of world and traditional religions in the capital of the Republic of Kazakhstan - city of Astana. Earlier the organizers of similar events were only representatives of leading religions and denominations. Among other similar events aimed at establishing interdenominational dialogue were the meetings of representatives of world religions and denominations held in Italian city Assisi in October 1986 and January 2002.
The idea of the President of Kazakhstan is that the dialogue between the leaders of world and traditional religions formed on common aspects and exact information on each other opens wide prospects for mutual cooperation and contributes to overcoming such negative manifestations of our time as violence, fanaticism, extremism and terrorism. The dialogue of the religions as the conceptual idea of the First Congress and means of disputes settling was opposed to methods of violence and terror in the interdenominational and interethnic relations.
An initiative by Kazakhstan that gained worldwide recognition was the setting up of a unique "spiritual platform" for inter-faith dialogue, the Forum for Representatives of World Religions. Kazakhstan's experience in establishing a peaceful dialogue of faiths is truly invaluable for contemporary world community.
Many religious figures understand clearly the necessity and importance of inter-religious reconciliation and are taking specific steps towards its bringing this about. In this respect the Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions has been a major contribution by Kazakhstan to the global process of inter-cultural dialogue. It justifiably occupies a special place in the efforts by the world community towards strengthening principles of toleration, mutual understanding, dialogue and cooperation.
Kazakhstan's initiative, which is supported by the United Nations, is a very timely measure. Over the last few years the Congress has gained wide recognition from other major international forums, as the Alliance of Civilizations, the Community of St Egidio, the Asia House, the Tony Blair Foundation and many others all have expressed their intention to participate in it's work.
An important proposal by Kazakhstan is that the third Congress should be held in an enlarged format which would include both a plenary and sectional sessions.
It was proposed that the theme of the plenary session of the 3rd Congress should be identified as "The Role of Religious Leaders in Building a Tolerant World in Conditions of Globalization". During the separate thematical sessions the participants at the Congress would be able to hold discussions on five thematic blocks. These would include moral values, peace and security, the environment and harmony, genuine dialogue and cooperation, and promoting justice. Such a format would allow religious leaders to exchange views on topical contemporary problems, to set forth their vision of inter-faith reconciliation in specific countries and regions, and to give their appraisal and their recommendations on this matter.
