On 16 and 17 October at the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation was held all-Russian forum “Religion in the context of the political and constitutional system of the Russian Federation”, devoted to 25th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution of the Russian Federation and the 100th anniversary of the Decree on the separation of Church and state and school from Church.
The event was organized by the Commission on harmonization of interethnic and interreligious relations of the Public chamber of the Russian Federation, the Permanent Commission on cultural rights, education and science Council under the President of the Russian Federation on development of civil society and human rights, the Commission for improvement of legislation and law enforcement practice of the Council for cooperation with religious associations under the President of the Russian Federation, Chair of state-confessional relations in the IGS of the Russian Academy of national economy and state service under the President of the Russian Federation, the Russian Association for the protection of religious freedom (RARF), “Slavic legal center” (SOC).
The Forum was attended by religious and public figures, religious scholars, lawyers, human rights activists and representatives of presidential Administration of the Russian Federation, State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, the Government of the Russian Federation, Federal Executive bodies, law enforcement agencies, members of the Public chamber of the Russian Federation.
A significant contribution to the work of the forum was made by the pastors and leaders of the Church of Christians of Seventh Day Adventist Euro-Asia division, West-Russian Union and Moscow enterprises.
The 25th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution of the Russian Federation – the legal foundations of the Russian state and society – an occasion to assess the achievements and problems adopted in the Russian model of state-religious relations, the involvement of religious organisations in development of civil society in the country, full members which they are.
The forum participants noted that religious groups, and they create a nonprofit organization actively engaged with government on a wide range of key national objectives. Such a fruitful cooperation are in demand in matters of charity, education of young people, implementing large-scale programs in the sphere of culture, education, education. It is difficult to overestimate the contribution of religious communities in the preservation of our historical heritage, an enduring spiritual, moral, and family values and their efforts to maintain unity and social harmony.
The forum participants noted the efforts of the state to create comfortable conditions for activities of religious associations in the country and help in solving their current problems and issues. On the forum there were discussed topical issues of legal regulation, as well as achievements and challenges in the area of religious activities, volunteer movement development, the implementation of the freedom of conscience in the context of anti-extremist legislation, land and property relations of religious organizations, expert activities in the religious sphere, the interaction of religious unions with state authorities and local self-government. Was observed and formulated the basic problems in these topics that require further action and improvement.
The results of the forum in the context of the discussed issues will be elaborated and sent to the relevant public authorities and stakeholders recommendations and suggestions, as well as published materials and reports of the participants.