The First Forum of Young Religious Leaders "Shaping a common Future: the role of Young Leaders in strengthening Interreligious Dialogue" was held in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, on October 9. The event was organized by the N.A. Nazarbayev Center for the Development of Interfaith and Intercivilizational Dialogue with the participation of the Secretariat of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions and the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
On the part of the Russian Orthodox Church, Archpriest Dimitri Baydek, the key keeper of the Cathedral of the Assumption of Astana, Priest Grigory Kulikov, the cleric of this cathedral, and Deacon Sergiy Nesterov, an employee of the Secretariat for Interreligious Relations of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, who, with the blessing of the DECR Chairman Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk, spoke at the breakout session of the forum. In his speech, Deacon Sergiy Nesterov noted the danger of ignoring spiritual values in an era of rapid development of innovations and technologies, which can lead to degradation of the environment, physical and spiritual health of a person, dehumanization of the whole society.
A panel session and sections were held within the framework of the forum, where topics related to the importance of the role of young leaders in the sustainable development of the world, as well as in establishing interreligious dialogue among young people in the context of cultures and religions were discussed; the issue of spiritual values in the era of digitalization and artificial intelligence was raised, modern spiritual and moral challenges and opportunities were listed. In addition, the program included a number of interactive events and exhibitions.