СOMMUNIQUE
World Summit of Religious Leaders Preparatory expert meeting

An expert meeting of representatives of world religious communities took place on May 25-26, 2006, in Moscow. The meeting was convened by the Interreligious Council of Russia. The participants exchanged opinions and proposed themes for discussion at the World Summit of Religious Leaders to take place on July 3-5, 2006, in Moscow.

The meeting was attended by representatives of Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, Taoism and Hinduism from Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, China, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Holy See, India, Iran, Israel, Italy, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Romania, Russia, Switzerland, Syria, Turkey, United Kingdom, USA.

It was noted that the foundation for dialogue among various traditional religions lies in their common concern and their feeling of responsibility for the fate of humanity. The following topics were suggested for discussion at the Summit:

– The role of faith and religion in society today. Protection and assertion of spiritual and moral values in modern society and the responsibility of religions for it

– Ways to overcome terrorism and extremism

– Education, the need to combine it with moral formation of youth

– Lawfulness, freedom, human rights, moral responsibility

– Support of the values of family, human life and gender equality

– Respect for religious feelings and for what is hold as sacred by the religious traditions

– Morality in economy

– Overcoming poverty

– The role of mass media

– The planet’s resources. Ecological responsibility

– Challenge of epidemics of infectious diseases, drug addiction

– Proliferation of the weapons of mass destruction

– Dialogue and partnership of civilizations. The problems of globalization and world order

– Dialogue between religious communities and politicians, all civil society structures, international organizations

We believe that the message of the Summit will reach the leaders of the G8 countries, politicians, the broader public and all members of our faith communities. We hope that the meeting of religious leaders will serve peace among people and communities of different faiths, nations, cultures and civilizations.