Новости

Factsheet on the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions

Background

• The First Congress was held in 2003 at the initiative of President Nursultan Nazarbayev.

• Congresses have since been held in Astana in 2006, 2009 and 2012.

• More than 80 delegations from 50 countries attended the 2012 Congress.

• The over-arching goal of the Congress is to help establish peace, accord and tolerance as fundamental principles of humanity.

• It has set out to achieve this by identifying common ground between world religions; creating an international and inter-faith institute to encouraging dialogue; promoting mutual respect and tolerance between religions, nations and ethnic groups; and countering the abuse of religious beliefs to fuel violence and escalate military conflicts.

Fifth Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions on 10-11 June 2015

• The main theme is “Dialogue of Religious Leaders and Politicians in the Name of Peace and Development”.

• It is expected that around 110 delegations will take part.

• Among the distinguished figures attending will be UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, King Abdullah II of Jordan, President Sauli Niinisto of Finland as well as senior leaders of all the world’s great religions.

• Sessions will include discussions on:

  • The Responsibilities of Religious and Political Leaders

  • The Influence of Religion on the Youth and the Role of Education, Science, Culture and Mass Media

  • Religion and Politics – New Trends and Prospects

  • Fostering Dialogue based on Mutual Respect and Understanding among Leaders of World and Traditional Religions for Peace, Security and Harmony

• A formal declaration will be adopted by the end of the Congress.

Why the Congress is important

• It strengthens interfaith dialogue by bringing religious leaders together. The Fifth Congress is also important because it brings together religious and political leaders for a meaningful dialogue on ways to combine efforts to promote better understanding among communities.

• It provides opportunities for improved dialogue between representatives of different cultures and religions including those from the mass media, youth associations, academia and the arts.

• It deepens and strengthens mutual understanding and respect among different religious communities.

• It develops tolerance and mutual respect in contrast to the ideology of hatred and extremism.

Major achievements

• The Congress had helped pioneer global dialogue between religions and civilisations and played a major role in promoting mutual understanding and respect in societies and countries.  

• Its valuable contribution to promoting dialogue and understanding was recognised in 2004 by UN Resolution A/RES/59/23.

• Following a recommendation by the Congress, the 62nd session of the UN General Assembly declared 2010 the International Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures.