World Summit of Religious Leaders to open on July 3 in Moscow

A World Summit of Religious Leaders will be held from July 3 to 5, 2006, at the President-Hotel in Moscow. Over 100 religious leaders will attend, among them primates of Local Orthodox Churches, heads and representatives of other Christian Churches, as well as leaders of Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist and other communities from various countries.

They are expected to discuss the role of faith and religion in modern society, protection and assertion of spiritual and moral values in modern society and the responsibility of religions for it; ways of overcoming terrorism and extremism, education, the need for fostering the values of family, human life and equality of the sexes; respect for religious feelings and everything that is held sacred in religious traditions; morality in economics, overcoming poverty, the role of mass media, natural resources of the planet, responsibility for the environment; challenges of the infectious diseases epidemic, drug addiction, proliferation of mass destruction weapons, dialogue and partnership of civilizations, problems involved in the globalization and world order; dialogue of religious communities with politicians, all civil society structures and international organizations.

The forum is expected to adopt a declaration to be brought to the notice of the Great Eight due in St. Petersburg.

Accreditation of Journalists till 17.00 on June 29 by Fax: 230-24.39

• WORLD SUMMIT OF RELIGIOUS LEADERS July 3 – 5, 2006, Moscow
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• World Summit of Religious Leaders to open on July 3 in Moscow
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