The World Forum of Spiritual Culture, which was held in Astana, Kazakhstan, in October 2010, brought together under its banners the representatives of more than 70 countries. The World Forum of Spiritual Cultureclearly stated the fundamental truth that is being revealed to the humanity: in the totality of all the achievements of human civilization there is some higher principle of organization of life on Earth, something important, which dominatesall other values. This main principle is Spiritual Culture that finally determines all spheres of life. Absorbing all the most important spiritual accumulations acquired by humanity during its multi-millennial history, Spiritual Culture serves as an original, primordial foundation of life and development of civilization.
In this regard, as the Forum stated, an urgent task of our time is to establish Spiritual Culture on all the layers of life and above all in real politics.
The Forum has truly openedup a new page of human history. It has launched a qualitatively new phenomenon of our time –the World International of Culture.The Forum tookthe decisions crucialfor the whole world, having presented toit a document that has clearly defined the spiritual and moral foundations on which the healing process can begin, followed by the transformation of humanity. This document is the Declaration “Towardsa New World through Spiritual Culture”.
The postulates formulated in the Declaration createa formula for survival and make a spiritual framework of a new world order, forming a new historical all - humankind community, for the creation of which the concernedhumanityshould strive.
The spiritual and creative potential of the Forum is really huge and diverse. Unfortunately, it is still far from being understood, in large part underestimated and practically underused. That is why it is necessary to continue:
thelarge-scale work on comprehending and developing the resultsof the Forum;
thespiritual and creative work to determine the development paths and deepen the ideas declared at the Forum;
comprehending the uniqueness and peculiarities of the stage of the development of our civilization and the challenges facing humanity at the present critical turn of its history.
Today Kazakhstan hands the baton of continuing the great and sacred mission of establishingthe Spiritual Culture, bringing together all peace-loving people of Earth for the sake of peace, creativity and a bright future to blessed India. The meeting of the World Forum of Spiritual Culture Presidium was heldon October 16-17, 2015 in Astana.
Of course, the international community in the name of the official legitimate bodies shows some concern about the situation in the world. However, it becomes more and more obvious: the impending danger is clearly underestimatedby them and their inability to adequately and timely respond to the formidable challenges of the new time is apparent.
However, the world cannot passively wait until the people in powergrow into understandingthat there is an urgent need for well-coordinated actions. In order that humanity become fully aware of the current catastrophic situation and begin to create a planetary mobilization project that will return the development of civilization intoits natural course of cosmic evolution, it is necessary to give the humanity a powerful impetus that will take it out of complacency and lethargy. The Second World Forum of Spiritual Culture aims to give such an impetus by putting the most pressing issues of our time on the agenda.
I. Ideological, theoretical, spiritual and moral foundations of the Second World Forum of Spiritual Culture
There is an ever-pressing need in the world for spiritual guidelines in the life of all countries, a need to develop a sense of spiritual unity in each individual, as well as sense of deep mutual care, regardless of colour, gender, nationality, and religion. We belong to different races and nationalities and have different destinies. However, such differences do not exist on a deeper level. In fact, we are no different from each other; we are all members of one large family called Humanity. We stand for Unity, the strength of which is in diversity.
In recent years, we have been coming to an understanding that Spiritual Culture aims to serve asthe main instrument of transformation of the world. There is not a single problem that can be solvedsolely by legal or economic measures without a fundamental change and expansion of consciousness of people, without Spiritual Culture with its powerful potential.
Spiritual Culture reflects all the main cultural facets of life, including the culture of speech and the culture of thought, the culture of ethical and moral guidelines, the culture of ethnic, nationaland religious communities, and a number of other very important aspects.
It is not the task of the world to create anything new in regard to Spiritual Culture;the foundations of life were givento us at the dawn of humanity. We merely need to change the vector of development of civilization, not the world itself. Under the new conditions of the future,it is impossible to follow old ways. We will be unable to enter a new world with ignorance and malice. Evil can be eradicated only by creating the Common Good. It is unwise to waste energy on anger, hatred, denial, wars and conflicts. We need to focus on the active strengthening of the positive and constructive view of life. To carry out a policy of goodness, peace, and concordis our main strategic law. All nations and states are absolutely equal before the spiritual laws and God. The more clearly this great equality of different nations is accepted and realized, the closer our common and main goal - World Peace – will be.
II. Organizational framework for the Second World Forum of Spiritual Culture
In order to prepare for the Second World Forum of Spiritual Culture, co-chairs of the World Forum of Spiritual Culture T. Mukhamejanov (Kazakhstan), I. Kobzon (Russia), W. Augustat (Europe), the Presidium of the World Forum of Spiritual Culture, the Forum Executive Secretariat and the International Organizing Committee, which includes prominent scientists and artists from Russia, Europe, Asia, America and other countries and continents, public figuresand politicians working in direction of humanism,retain their powers.
It is proposed that the governance structure of the Forum include co-chair of the Forum from India, two or three members of the Forum Presidiumfrom India, the second executive secretary to the Forum from India as well as 6 or 8 co-opted members of the International Organizing Committee, who willalso represent India.
2. The head office of the Organizing Committee of the World Forum of Spiritual Culture will be establishedin Astana at the premises of the office of the International Association “Peace through Culture”. In carrying out all the preparatory work,the experience of preparation and holding of the First World Forum of Spiritual Culture in Astana will be fully used.
The invitations to the future participants of the Forum will be sent on behalf of the Presidium of the World Forum of Spiritual Culture.
The three headquarters in preparation for and holding of the Second World Forum of Spiritual Cultureare being established in Moscow, Astana and Europe.
The headquarters in Astana is being established at the premises of the International Association “Peace through Culture”, and will be headed by T. Mukhamejanov.
W. Augustathas been appointed head of the headquarters in Europe. The main task of the European headquarters is to ensure European participation.
The headquarters in Moscow will be establishedat the premises of the International Center for Spiritual Culture. I.Kobzonhas been appointedChairman of the Moscow headquarters.
The headquarters should be financedby attracting sponsors and other interested parties.
4. It is proposed that fourPress Centers (India, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Europe) be established at the premises of the headquarters engaged in organizing of the Second World Forum of Spiritual Culture.These Press Centerswill disseminate information about the Forum through existing means (services) of mass media.
5. The Organizing Committee of the Forum shall develop a strategy to attract sponsors.
6. It is expected that the Forum be held during three days: from 17 to 19 October 2017.
7. The work of the Forum will be carried outin various forms: plenary sessions, breakout sessions, round tables, seminars, conferences, workshops, bilateral and multilateral meetings, etc.
8. The tentative program of the Forum:
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October 16 |
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Arrival of the participants and honorary guests. Accommodation. Accreditation. |
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10.00-12.00 |
Meeting of the International Organizing Committee on preparation and holding of the Second World Forum of Spiritual Culture. |
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12.00-13.00 |
Press conference of the International Organizing Committee leaders |
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14.00-15.00 |
Lunch break |
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16.00-19.00 |
Discover the landmarks |
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21.00-22.00 |
Cultural program |
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October 17 |
9.00-10.00 |
Registration of the Forumparticipants |
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10.00-10.30 |
Plenary Session of the Forum Opening ceremony,dedicated to the Second World Forum of Spiritual Culture |
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10.30-11.30 |
Greetings by the honorary guests |
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11.30-12.00 |
Report by the Organizing Committee on the “Agenda and work order of the Second World Forum of Spiritual Culture” |
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12.00-12.30 |
The keynote report “Spiritual Culture - a strategy of life and peace” |
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12.30-13.00 |
Credentials committee information |
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13.00-15.00 |
Lunch break |
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15.00-16.00 |
Continuation of the plenary session |
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16.00-18.00 |
Reports by the co-chairs of the World Forum of Spiritual Culture Presentations |
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20.00-22.00 |
Cultural / excursion program |
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October 18 |
09.00-13.00 |
Break-out sessions (workshops, roundtables, working groups, conferences,etc.) |
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13.00-15.00 |
Lunch break |
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15.00-18.00 |
Continuation of themain sessions of the Forum |
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20.00-22.00 |
Gala program, dedicated to the International Day of Spiritual Concord (according to a separate plan). |
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19 October |
09.00-12.00 |
Final plenary session Speeches bymoderators of the sessions |
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12.00-13.00 |
Discussion of the drafts of the Second WFSC final documents |
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13.00-15.00 |
Lunch break |
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15.00-17.00 |
Adoption of the final documents of the Second World Forum of Spiritual Culture |
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17.00-18.00 |
Press conference of the core participants of the Forum |
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20.00-22.00 |
Closing ceremony of the Second World Forum of Spiritual Culture (Cultural program according to a separate plan) |
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October 20 |
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Departure of the participants of the Forum |
9. The main themes of the Second World Forum of Spiritual Culture:
- Spiritual Culture: a strategy of life and peace
- World Peace through Spiritual Culture
- Towards Unity and Concord through Spiritual Culture
10. The motto of the Second World Forum of Spiritual Culture is
“If I do not burn,
If you do not burn,
If we do not burn,
How will darknesscome to light?”NazimHikmet
11. Preliminary list of the main sessions of the Second World Forum of Spiritual Culture:
11.1. Art of life:
- World without war, violence and fear
- World without the hungry and the poor
- World of happy childhood, with no orphans
- World of honored women with full rights.
11.2. The age of spiritual enlightenment: principal directions, tasks and stages of ascending.
Spiritual enlightenment is a guarantee of the future of the world. We should place a priority on upbringing of generations by means of Spiritual Culture, which gives a well-rounded citizen to a stateand a healthy and reasonable personality to a society. Spiritual enlightenment preaches knowledge that forms a responsible personality, seeking light and bearing light. It turns people away from evil and aims their mind at life’s harmony, peacekeeping and enriching of spiritual values.
The task of forminga moral, independently thinking, creative, and responsible person shouldbe implementedby applying the full potential of culture through an established system of educational and enlightening measures.These measures are directed toward people so that they acquire culture of communication, culture of thinking, culture of behavior, culture of social relations, culture of international relations, etc.
The First World Forum of Spiritual Culture has stated that it is necessary to start developinga planetary Program of spiritual enlightenment. We should discover, develop, and give real meaning to all the basic postulates of Spiritual Culture, put them into concrete mechanisms, tools of social and cultural engineering, institutes, technologies, which if unified, will be able toreally transform the world. We are talking about hundreds of thousands of elements that can gradually transform the system from within. This is atruly giant multi-level work that humanity has not yet known, but to which it is being led to by the course of social development.
11.3. Spiritual, moral, organizational and legal foundations of the World Movement “Towards a new World through Spiritual Culture”.
11.4. A modern Pact of Peace: what will the greatest document of our time be?
The Second World Forum of Spiritual Culture should prepare a draft of the modern Pact of Peace. The Pact itself should have a status of a world directive above all the decisions, taken by the structures of world community, as a statement of a direct and actual declaration of will of billions of peace-loving people on Earth. By decision of the World Forum of Spiritual Culture, this Pact should be presented for consideration to the General Assembly of the United Nations through the intermediary of all peace-loving states.
11.5. A new transformative vector of civilized development. Humanization of all people as a process of cultural spiritualization of the world.
What changes are coming in
- Economics
- Politics
- Social relations
- Interstate relations
- International relations
- Education, upbringing and culture
- Relations with nature?
11.6. Unity is spiritual concord and collaboration of nations.
All people of Earth are willing to live in peace. Such common life values as family, children, motherland, friendship, happiness, safety, health, welfare and justice are equally important for everybody. Love, truth, God and beauty unite us regardless of our race, nation, faith and social group. At all times these values have been the most important points of reference in human life. Unity leads to conflict-free existence, providing us and our loved ones with the opportunity to live in a humane society and not to be afraid for our future. From disunity towards unity and universality!
11.7. On infrastructure development of the World Forum of Spiritual Culture.
The First Forum recommended that the executive bodies of the World Forum of Spiritual Culture be established everywhere. It is important that the Astana initiative have the real and active support on all continents. Using modern means of communication, we should gradually create a system of sustainable cooperation of all thinking people of the Earth.
III. Documents that the Second World Forum of Spiritual Culture could adopt
All people on Earth have their own rights and freedoms that are vital for their lives. The first and the main right is the right to peace and a peaceful life.
The core aspect of the work of the Second World Forum of Spiritual Culture could become a joint work of its members on a DRAFT ofthe international agreement - the Pact of Peace, synthesizing positive peacekeeping experience of human civilization.
The formulated “Conceptual foundations and principles of the Pact of Peace” could be the final document of the Second World Forum of Spiritual Culture.
In the future, the specific articles of the Pact of Peacecan be systematized by a working group and submitted for approval at the Third World Forum of Spiritual Culture.
The new document, featuringthis peacekeeping initiative, aims to absorb all the good things that happened in the history of humankind, includingthe spiritual and moral continuity in the formation of life of nations, its ethical transformation, principles of humanism, justice, and harmonization of individual interests with the common good, taking into account the peculiarities of modern development.
Upon preparing the draft of the Pact of Peace, we shouldcarry out a task of creating a document that will meet the requirements of a new strategy of coexistence among nations in a multipolar world, a strategy that includes international and interstate diplomacy.
While working on the final document of the Forum “Conceptual foundations and principles of the Pact on Peace”, we should pay great attention to the analysis of a huge creative potential of spiritual and moral experiences of the past, which are concentrated in common international political and legal regulations on strengthening and maintaining peace.
An equally important task of the Second Forum is to develop a mechanism to give the Pact of Peace a status of a worldwide directive in the future. The traditional mechanism of signing of the document by heads of states can be launched if a powerful social forcepushes them forward, without any options left for them.
At the Second Forum, we should also establish a Committee on the Pact of Peace, which will provide cooperation and active participation in the preparation of the document by all the offices of the World Forum of Spiritual Culture in all its member countries.
Peacekeeping is a matter of great concern to the humanity. The right to a peaceful life is the inalienable right of every person, society and state. This right is the greatest value of civilization. It must be held sacred by everyoneeverywhere and must not be subject to any limitation or infringement.
The new international Pact of Peaceshould affirm the world of spiritual unity, the world of civil concord, the world of economic cooperation, the world of inter-ethnic good neighborhood, and the world of interfaithrespect. Thereby a new peaceand cultural space will be created, which means a return to the immutable values of Spiritual Culture.
A special document of the Forum would be an Appeal to the presidentsof the countries - participants of the Forum to create Research Centers of Spiritual Culture in their countries, which could be assigned to synthesizeunified principles of all spiritual movements and development of the planetary program “TowardsPeace through Spiritual Culture”. This program should include the fundamental principles of “turning the wheel of history” from the values of consumer civilization to the spiritual and cultural values as the highest values of high civilization.
The third topical document of the Forum would be a “Declaration on Cooperation of the World Spiritual Movements”.
Maintaining and strengthening Peace is an urgent task on the agenda of the world community.