The first session of the Roundtable on Religious Freedom in Ukraine was held recently, which is set to become a platform for dialogue between representatives of civil society, primarily between religious and human rights organizations, as well as with the participation of academic institutions and government officials.
The first session of the Roundtable on Religious Freedom in Ukraine was held recently, which is set to become a platform for dialogue between representatives of civil society, primarily between religious and human rights organizations, as well as with the participation of academic institutions and government officials.
The event took place on April 16 at the Premier Palace Hotel in Kyiv, with the organizational support of the Center for Civil Liberties and the Institute of Religious Freedom, which co-sponsored the Roundtable in a partnership.
More than 70 participants gathered at the constituent meeting of the Roundtable, including religious figures, NGO specialists, scholars and experts.
The purpose of the Roundtable, as its initiators point out, is to create a free and secure space for exchange of ideas and joint decision-making in order to establish religious freedom and peace, prevent the manifestations of radical ideologies and extremism, and to promote lasting peace and security through the detection and focus of attention on issues of common interest and on which the participants have an agreement.
“The Roundtable is intended to become a model of civic responsibility and self-organization, where each participant has the equal opportunity to participate in the dialogue process: to speak out, to prepare thematic public initiatives, to exchange experience and ideas, to discuss and to invite other participants to support the initiative,” commented Alexander Zayets, the chairman of the Board of Directors and the Roundtable moderator.
As explained by the organizers, the Roundtable participants are invited to a dialogue based on mutual respect and equality, seeking opportunities for interaction in favor of the common good and justice which is based on respect for human dignity.
“The practical result of the Roundtable will be the building of long-term relationships between representatives of religious, human rights and other non-governmental organizations, development of mutual understanding, respect and trust, as well as emergence of practical initiatives for the development of conscious citizenship, despite possible differences in views and understandings,” said Oleksandra Matviychuk, Head of the Board of the CSG.
It is expected that the Roundtable on Religious Freedom in Ukraine will be organized on a regular basis to discuss relevant public issues, coordinate the dialogue and interaction of representatives of various civil society institutions. In addition to religious figures and human rights activists, scientists, experts and representatives of the relevant state and local authorities will also be invited to the dialogue.