1. Proposals on the theme and agenda of the conference in October, 2012 and the Second World Forum of Spiritual Culture in 2013. Today we shall decide on the theme of the Second WFSC. It is important that it should touch upon the vital interests of the majority of world’s population. On the basis of the subject of the Forum we are to outline the theme of the conference in October this year, so that it becomes a critically important preparatory stage for the Second Forum and stresses the 20th anniversary of the movement of Spiritual Concord. At the same time we would like this meeting to be business and have the character of a working session.
While working on our projects and communicating directly with you, I cannot stop thinking about the way to reach out to billions of hearts, living on our planet today. What should we do so that our world might become better, cleaner, fairer?
Is such a miracle possible, or is it an impossible utopian idea in the full sense of the word? Or is there still a little bit of hope? Of course there is, but we need an atomical effort, not only ours, but also the efforts of future generations.
Our goal is to raise and multiply all that had been done before us by our predecessors. We are to do everything possible to bring this to the consciousness of millions of people. To achieve this aim we need to work meticulously on a day-to-day basis, and this work should be full of high content and quality, that should depend on our constant communication and meetings at conferences and forums.
We shall not be able to change people’s consciousness with the help of calls for peace, common good, culture and spirituality alone. There is no need to urge these common values upon anyone. But the trouble is that people understand these values differently in different countries and parts of the world, in different civilizations, different political, social, religious and other groups. But how to make these values become the basis for action and real change in the interest of all humanity?
What is the most important thing that can unite us? Joining our efforts, like the rays of light in the lens, we can and must kindle the fire of these efforts. If each of us and those who support us, light the fire of love and compassion together, then we shall be able to create a powerful beacon that will illuminate the road both for the walking now and for the future generations to find the true destiny of a man and the entire human civilization, which in end, undoubtedly, will lead to success.
All members of the WFSC Presidium are square with each other. It depends on each member in what way we will build our common work and what results it will give us.
2. The structure of the Conference and the Forum.
The proposal of Mr. Suhail Farah, the Chairman of the Russian-Lebanese House, professor, doctor of philosophical sciences, academician of RAE and RANS can be taken as a basis for our discussion.
If approved, we are to confirm:
• the form of the work and rules of procedure (plenary sessions, the number of sections and topics);
• deadlines for reports and texts of speeches for the conference;
• their volume;
• the drafting committee;
• the order of exchanging materials between speakers and members of the drafting committee and working group of the Organizing Committee in Astana.
We take upon ourselves all practical arrangements in Astana. The informative part is our common concern.
3. The financial models for the conference budget. Necessity of self-financing.
The world is being in financial and economic decline, and Kazakhstan in this regard is no exception. Therefore, we hope that our partners will understand that the financial support for the WFSC from the state budget of the Republic of Kazakhstan is limited. We are the social movement and we should look for sources of self-financing. As Astana is honored to host the World Forum and the annual conference of Spiritual Concord and Spiritual Culture, with the help of sponsors, we shall do our utmost to carry them out. This applies to address practical arrangements, logistics, our guests’ accommodation, their residence in Astana, etc. Now it will be more economical than in previous years, but it will not affect the businesslike nature of our meetings.
We ask you to take travel costs to Astana and back again upon yourselves. Only a few special guests will arrive in Astana at the expense of the Organizing Committee, but they will have to travel economy class only.
Therefore, each country needs to attract sponsors to seek funding sources, not only to cover travel costs, but also to promote our ideas and conduct various events among people, so that new associates and participants become involved in our movement.
4. To prepare for the Second World Forum of Spiritual Culture. To search for new partners and associates. To make a list of participants.
We need to search for associates among the most famous people on the planet in their own countries, continents, regions. They can provide effective assistance in promoting our ideas, using their influence upon people’s minds; in addition, each of them alone is already working in this direction. If we can unite with them, it would be a great achievement.
We are to determine the deadline of making a list of participants and sending them invitations.
5. Internet browsing and media coverage.
What is this work necessary to achieve our goals?
In the first place, we should make full use of the Internet space. Today, the World Wide Web has seized the whole world. We need to use the most popular means of communication on the Internet, whether it is Facebook, Twitter, e-mail or websites, play lists, mini-movies posted on YouTube, video conferences and discussions.
We encourage you to use our website (www.astanaforum.kz), which has been valid for two years. About 200,000 people have checked it out. We publish all your emails and suggestions on it and make reference to all our partners. Almost all of you have your own websites, and we kindly ask you to post the link of our website on yours.
In the second place, the mass media. Whenever possible, we should place the materials about our work and express our position in regard to all important events, which take place, in order to create public opinion with the help of our supporters and associates. Television plays an enormous role here. It lets itself in every house and minds of everyone through its various programs and shows, in which we need to find our place.
6. Other business.