Today, on August 10 of this year, Chairman of the Management Board of N. Nazarbayev Center for Development of Interfaith and Intercivilization Dialogue Bulat Sarsenbayev took part in the II International Conference in support of the culture of knowledge on the topic: «From the richness of diversity to the message of peace: the poetics of knowledge and tolerance in the religions of the world» in online format.
The purpose of the meeting is to comprehend the poetics of knowledge and tolerance in world and traditional religions, which will make it possible to come to an understanding of their diversity as the cultural wealth of mankind, see their common genealogy and history of dialogue from antiquity to modern times, and also stimulate the convergence of cultures.
The opening ceremony of the international event was also attended by Director of the International Center for the Rapprochement of Cultures under the auspices of UNESCO O. Suleimenov, Director of the Institute of Philosophy, Political Science and Religious Studies S. Seidumanov, President of the Organization «Somaiya Vidyavihar» (India, Mumbai), member of the Council of Religious Leaders S. Somaya, representatives of the Ministry of Culture and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, as well as scientific experts from Russia and Kazakhstan.
Speaking with a welcoming speech, Chairman of the Management Board of N. Nazarbayev Center Bulat Sarsenbayev noted that, having a unique ethnic and confessional diversity, Kazakhstan throughout its history has maintained interethnic and interreligious peace, maintained a balance of interests of various communities.
The Head of the Center especially outlined the outstanding role of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan – Elbasy N. Nazarbayev in the implementation of initiatives for the spiritual rapprochement of cultures and civilizations, as well as the consistent state policy of the Head of State K. Tokayev on the development of harmonious interfaith relations, which were noted in his recent Address to the people Kazakhstan. In addition, emphasis was placed on the contribution of a unique dialogue platform – the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, which has established itself as an effective platform for promoting dialogue between representatives of spiritual and religious leaders. In this regard, B. Sarsenbayev noted the importance of N.Nazarbayev Center for Development of Interfaith and Intercivilization Dialogue in the interaction between cultures, religions and civilizations, as well as promoting the goals and objectives of the Congress at the international level.
«In light of the growing global geopolitical tension, conflicts in different parts of the planet on ethnic and religious grounds, the dialogue platform of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions is gaining even greater relevance and the need to embody the idea of cooperation and unity of representatives», - the speaker emphasized.
In addition, Chairman of the Management Board of N. Nazarbayev Center B. Sarsenbayev acquainted those present with the priority areas of activity and planned international events of the Center, including the holding of the next XIX meeting of the Secretariat of the Congress in 2021 under the leadership of the Chairman of the Senate of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan – Head of the Secretariat of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional religions M.Ashimbaev, which will be held on October 6 this year in Nur-Sultan.
Summing up his speech, Bulat Sarsenbayev thanked for organizing a constructive exchange of views on current topics and expressed confidence that the work of the international meeting would enrich the practice of dialogue between cultures and religions.
Let us remind, that the meeting was organized by the International Center for the Rapprochement of Cultures under the auspices of UNESCO in Almaty under the Ministry of Culture and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan within the framework of the International Decade for the Rapprochement of Cultures (2013-2022) and the practical implementation of UNESCO's ideas on building knowledge societies.
