An all-Ukrainian conference entitled “The Formation of Interethnic and Interreligious Tolerance by Means of Social Disciplines in the Ukrainian System of Education” was held from 5 to 6 December 2002 in Kyiv.
The conference was organized by the Ministry of Education of Ukraine, the state committees on Religious Matters, Family and Youth Affairs, Nationalities and Migration and the International Solomon University. Among the participants were representatives of the state authorities, the church, educational institutions and research centers, public organizations, national societies, and also professors and students. Patriarch Filaret Denysenko of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Kyivan Patriarchate also participated in the conference. In his speech, he emphasized the need for consolidation in Ukrainian society. “We need to be able to listen to our opponents, because otherwise discord and untruth will continue to spread,” said the patriarch. “Ukrainian society can be consolidated only on the basis of love of motherland, truth, mutual respect, patience and tolerance. Only these principles will help Ukraine to develop as a powerful European country.” Source: www.kievpatr.org.ua