The Presidential Academy has developed a special educational module for future clergy, "The system of public authority and the specifics of NGO activities." The purpose of the training is to get acquainted with the principles of public administration, interaction with public authorities and the non–profit sector. The first 50 students of the Moscow Theological Academy started their studies.
The development and implementation of the educational module is entrusted to the Presidential Academy, as its main task is to train the country's managerial elite in accordance with the values of spiritual and moral guidelines and values.
"The integration of spiritual education and managerial competencies opens up new perspectives for future clergy, helping them to actively participate in society and promote the development of civic institutions," said Ruslan Korchagin, Director of the Institute of Public Administration and Management.
Today, effective social service requires close cooperation with civil society institutions, so one of the important tasks of the module is to study the real situations in which future priests will have to work, and develop practical skills for the job.
"The educational module is an important stage in the development of educational initiatives aimed at developing a deep understanding of the system of public authority and interaction with civil society institutions among clergy," Bishop Kirill of Sergiev Posad and Dmitrov, Rector of the Moscow Theological Academy.
The organizers of the training emphasize the commonality in the activities of civil servants and the clergy of the Russian Orthodox Church – despite their different spheres, they are united by the concept of "ministry".
The educational module is implemented with the support of the Scientific and Educational Theological Association (NOTA), which unites 87 universities and theological schools in Russia.