The XIII Stavropol Forum of the World Russian People's Council "Protection of Traditional Values as a National Security Strategy" began its work in Stavropol on October 14, 2026.
The organizers are the International Public Organization "World Russian People's Council" (Moscow), the Stavropol Archdiocese, the North Caucasus Federal University and the Foundation "History of the Fatherland" (Moscow) with the support of the Government of the Stavropol Territory.
Over the course of three days, from October 14 to 16, more than five thousand participants will discuss issues of spiritual, moral and patriotic education of young people, culture, historical education, volunteerism, information security and the preservation of traditional Russian values at various venues in the regional capital. The forum is attended by church hierarchs, representatives of government authorities, public figures, scientists, experts and representatives of the media.
The first day of the forum began with the Divine Liturgy in the Cathedral in honor of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God in Stavropol.
Then the opening of the exhibition of icons on armored plates "Armor of Faith" took place. The special feature of the exhibition is that the icons are painted on armored plates that protected Russian servicemen during a special military operation. The authors of the works were students and teachers of the Moscow State Academic Art Institute named after V.I. Surikov and the Academy of Watercolor and Fine Arts of Sergei Andriyaki. The exhibition will be available to the public in a tent on Cathedral Square until October 18, and on October 19 and 20, the exposition will be located in the lobby of the main building of the North Caucasus Federal University.
The ceremonial opening of the 13th Stavropol International Scientific and Cultural Council Forum took place at the site of the North Caucasus Federal University as part of the round table "Implementation of the foundations of state policy to preserve and strengthen traditional Russian spiritual and moral values in the media space." The central topics of discussion were the role of mass media and civil society institutions in preserving and promoting traditional values, forming moral guidelines, as well as the responsibility of creators of information content.
Metropolitan Kirill of Stavropol and Nevinnomyssky, Co-chairman of the Stavropol Regional Branch of the Russian Orthodox Church, addressed the participants with a welcoming speech. "Today, the information space has become a field of spiritual struggle, and the moral state of society and the future of our people directly depend on what meanings the media carry. Protecting traditional values is not only the task of the Church and the state, but also the responsibility of everyone who creates and distributes the word. Our common duty is to fill the media space with truth, goodness and creativity, passing on to the younger generation those spiritual and moral guidelines that our people have kept for centuries," Metropolitan Kirill emphasized.
During the meeting, the participants discussed issues of preserving and strengthening traditional spiritual and moral values in the modern media space, effective formats of interaction with various audiences, as well as ways to counter information challenges.
The work of thematic sections, round tables and other events of the XIII Stavropol Forum of the World Russian People's Council will continue until October 16.