Moscow, Russia - UPF-Russia sponsored a workshop-discussion on “Human rights and challenges of the 21st century” on November 20, the 60th Anniversary of the European Convention on Human Rights and fundamental freedoms. The theme drew the attention of many Ambassadors for Peace, representatives of youth, non-governmental and religious organizations, as well as experts in human rights. Currently such issues evoke great interest within the Russian Federation and many other countries of the world.
Obviously, there exists a multitude of discrepancies between expectations of millions of people, universal principles stated in international documents, and the true state of human rights and fundamental freedoms. Especially in regions where tensions persist, great hope is placed in the pracitcal work of ombudsmen. During the workshop, participants were informed by the former ombudsmen of the Russian Federation, Prof. Mironov O.O., about the current situation concerning this issue and his practical activities in this regard. Among the speakers there was a journalist Valery Yemelyanov; he expounded on the proposal for creating an interreligious council within the UN system and presented practical results of the activity of participants of the recent Interreligious Assembly in Seoul.
In conclusion, Mr. Jacques Marion, Secretary General of UPF-Eurasia took the platform. He talked about the World Festival of Culture and Sports that recently took place in Seoul, calling it an effective instrument of peacemaking. After that, certificates of Ambassador for Peace were presented to people who have distinguished themselves in the fields of culture, art, and politics. Participants asked pointed questions with sincere interest and left the workshop with a warm feeling, having met many like-minded people who gather together not only for the sake of talking but producing good results.