Moscow, Russia - A workshop on the theme of values as the foundation of peace building and dialogue of cultures at the Moscow Peace Embassy on November 18 was attended by friends and partners of UPF, representatives of youth organizations, and students of Moscow universities.
With keen attention, the audience listened to the speeches of Prof. A. Y. Esalnek of the Moscow State University; S.L. Kuznetsova, chief editor of the magazine “Big Washington”; Prof. A.F. Volkov; and many others.
The participants discussed the role of values in Russian literature, culture, art and science and considered the importance of charity as a social activity in civil society. I.A. Zakharov spoke about axiology (the study of value) in Unification Thought, stressing the fact of universal values:
“Today, when values are being destroyed, it is most important to adapt a new vision of values. This new vision of values is not putting aside traditional ideas of values coming from Christianity, Confucianism, Buddhism, Islam, etc. It’s based on traditional values… We need an absolute concept of values, centered on the nature of God and considering His purposes (purpose of creation) and His laws (Logos) which He followed while creating humankind and the Universe."
Such discussion of values is timely in Russia, which has faced challenges in integrating into the international community of developed countries after the end of the Cold War. There are tensions between those who advocate liberal Western values and those who advocate a return to traditional Russian values and the centrality of Orthodox Christianity.
At the closing, the leader of a project that sponsors international programs, “Russian Youth League,” Lukiana Suvorova, received a certificate as Youth Ambassador for Peace. She said in response: “I’m ready to serve the world, promoting respect and love among the people. It’s a serious matter, so let us work together!”