Panel Session
Spiritual Unity for the Sake of Peace and Humanity
The modern world is in a need of a new level of mutual understanding and harmony. Global challenges intensify the demand for unifying principles, among which moral and spiritual guidelines are of particular importance. They form the basis of interfaith and intercultural dialogue and are capable of bringing people together regardless of nationality, religion, or views.
This panel session will serve as a starting point for open and substantive dialogue among representatives of different world religions, spiritual schools, philosophical and public traditions. Special attention will be paid to finding common ground and new forms of interaction for a common goal — preserving peace and affirming enduring values as the foundation for sustainable development.
The goal of the event is to create a platform for open and constructive dialogue among representatives of world religions, experts in theology and philosophy, and public figures to develop common approaches to strengthening spiritual and moral values in modern society.
This panel session will serve as a starting point for open and substantive dialogue among representatives of different world religions, spiritual schools, philosophical and public traditions. Special attention will be paid to finding common ground and new forms of interaction for a common goal — preserving peace and affirming enduring values as the foundation for sustainable development.
The goal of the event is to create a platform for open and constructive dialogue among representatives of world religions, experts in theology and philosophy, and public figures to develop common approaches to strengthening spiritual and moral values in modern society.
Participants will discuss how traditional spiritual values can serve as a guide to unity, strengthen trust between peoples, and shape a vision of the future where differences are not a reason for division but a basis for dialogue.
Discussion Questions
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The role of religion and religious organizations in achieving peace and humanity.
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Spiritual diplomacy as a form of uniting the efforts of representatives of world religions for peace, cooperation, and sustainable development.
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Interfaith dialogue as a form of global humanitarian platform.
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The role of spiritual diplomacy in protecting traditional spiritual and moral values.
Schedule and Speakers
Schedule and Speakers
14:00 – 14:15
Greetings, moderator's introduction, presentation of guests.
- Sergei Melnikov, Chairman of the All-Russian Public Organization Russian "Association for the Protection of Religious Freedom" (Russia)
14:15 – 14:25
Greetings
- Ilnar Gainutdinov, Imam of the Spiritual Assembly of Muslims of the Moscow Region — greeting from Albir Hazrat Krganov, Chief Mufti of the Spiritual Assembly of Muslims of the Russian Federation.
- Vladislav Kukovich, Employee of the Secretariat for Foreign Affairs of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate — greeting from Metropolitan Anthony, Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate.
14:25 – 15:00
Presentations by Speakers
- Bhai Sahib Professor Mohinder Singh Ahluwalia, Co-organizer and Co-Chairman of the Peace Charter for Forgiveness and Reconciliation (UK)
- Bert Pretorius, bishop, pastor and founder of the multiracial and multiethnic 3C Church (South Africa)
- Afanasov Fyodor, President of the Chamber for Economic and Cultural Cooperation between Romania and Russia, Head of the Business Circle of Old Believers (Romania)
- Sandra Buenger, media journalist, Vice CEO of Horizon Prime (Germany)
- Sonam Wangmo (Tenzin Dadon), Buddhist nun, PhD, teacher, writer (Bhutan/Malaysia)
15:00 – 15:30
Presentations/comments by speakers from the audience
- Sergey Kirishov (Geshe Yonten Lodoy), Chairman of the Central Spiritual Administration of Buddhists, Member of the Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation (Russia)
- Dmitry Poltorenko, moderator of clubs of local religious associations of Karaganda region (Kazakhstan)
- Svetlana Nuzhdina, Director of the Center for Religion and Law at the National Research Institute Higher School of Economics (Russia)
- Amrik Singh Bhabra, Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire, Advisor to the Chairman of the Nishkam Group of Charities (Great Britain)
- Dashinim Sodnomdorzhiev, Did Hambo Lama, Head of the Permanent Mission of the Buddhist Traditional Sangha of Russia in Moscow, member of the Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation (Russia)
- Suheil Farah, President of the Open University "Dialogue of Civilizations", Doctor of Philosophy, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences and RAS, Chairman of the Lebanese-Russian House (Lebanon, Russia)
- Alikber Alikberov, Director of the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Russia)
- Sergey Klyuchnikov, Editor-in-Chief of the journal Science and Religion (Russia)
