Main Activities
of the International Association
– Short Biography –
 

Origin: During the years around 1930, an international cultural movement was forming in dif-ferent parts of the world, initiated and lead by the exile Russian and cosmopolitan Nicholas K. Roerich (1874-1947). Target and purpose of this movement was to reach an intercultural balance on the highest level of political, religious, scientific, artistic and social level in order to prevent the 2nd World War and to establish a global policy for the protection of all cultural treasures, artwork in museums, universities, schools and all kinds of educational systems.

1935:

Signing of a worldwide cultural pact called: „Pax Cultura“ – „Peace-through-Culture Pact“ (the forerunner of the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage) in Washington – by the United States of America and 20 Latin American states, by the Baltic countries, India and some
others ...

1939-1991:

2nd World War and its continuation until 1991 due to the Yalta Agreement

1989: 

Founding of the International Association „Peace through Culture“in Mos-cow during M. Gorbachov’s term of office. Initiators were the Soviet Writers’ Un-ion, the Tolstoi- and Gorki-Institutes, Roerich- and other associations, the UNESCO, World-Spiral, Linz-Austria (with W. Augustat, as Vice President of the Headquarters in Moscow etc.
-    Founding President: Prof. Valentin Siderov, Moscow (deceased in 1999)
-    New President since 1999: Prof. Dr. Rostislav B. Rybakov, Moscow
-    Vice President: Wilhelm Augustat (Linz, Austria)
 

1989-1991:

Numerous Round Table-events, international Conferences and Congresses – dealing with the primary subject of intercultural dialogue and social harmonizing actions.
 

1991-1992:    

Founding of the Int. Association „Peace through Culture“-Europe (Germa-ny), with members from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Lithuania, Ukraine and others; President: W. Augustat, Austria)
 

1992:

1st World Congress „Towards Spiritual Concord“ (in Almaty/Kazakhstan, un-der the patronage of President N. Nasarbajev); focussing on a dialogue among the 115 various ethnic and cultural groups in Kazakhstan and their harmonization.

1993:

2nd World Congress „Towards Spiritual Concord“, in Rishikesh/India, the ho-ly city of the Hindus – with active participation of leading spiritual and clerical representatives and different delegations from India, Russia, Ukraine (Crimea) and others. (Rishikesh-Appeal!)
 

1993-2000:

Several international Working Conferences, congresses and other initiatives (such as 1993: Crimea/Ukraine – „Traditional and non-traditional medicine“ –
1999: Vilnius/Lithuania – Significant international Congress titled „Ethics and Humanism in Society“ (in everyday life and politics, among religions, in econo-my, education and upbringing, health and many other fields); founding of „Ethical Dialogue Forums“ (target:: harmony in society); establishing the 1st Ethical Forum in Vilnius.
 

since 2000:

A number of international Conferences titled „Ethics and Humanism in Society “ – fruitful cooperation with „Academies of Science“ and universities in Russia, Ukraine, Lithuania and others.
 

2002:    

– International Conference in St. Petersburg: „Russia’s Future and task in the 3rd Millennium“

– Mongolia: „How to maintain and save the Nomad Culture and Civilization“, initiated by UNESCO.
 

2003:  

– St. Petersburg – International Conference on the Roerich Heritage.

2004: 

– Crimea/Ukraine – Int. Conference „Health and Social Environment – Valeolo-gy“

– Moscow – August: participation in the international „World Conference of Ori-entalists“ with main subjects on „Culture and Politics“, „Religion and Terrorism“

– Moscow – October: Int. Conference „Contribution of the Roerich Family to the World Cultural Heritage“.

2005:

 – Crimea – Scientists from more than 20 nations work out a concept on the subject„Ethics and Humanism“ during this Crimea Conference – coming up with a new social concept in cooperation with „Peace through Culture“ activities („Manifest of Ethical Humanism“) and a concept for the „3rd Way“ (a synthesis of the positive elements from both socialism and capitalism). Cooperation with the newly founded „International Institute for ETHICS in Politics & Economy“ in Linz/Austria.

– Moscow: Int. Symposium dealing with the subject of worldwide escalation of problems between religions, politics and society – seeking harmony and peace.

2006:  

– Northern Ossetia: Beslan/Vladikavkaz:– Joint undertaking: foundation of an „International Peace Institute in Caucasia“ with partners from Russia.

– Kazakhstan – Continuation of the joint activity started in 1992 in Almaty/Alma Ata „Towards Spiritual Concord“ in an interreligious, intercultural World Con-ference in Astana (Christianity, Judaism, Orthodox Church, Islam etc.), in coop-eration with high representatives from politics and various fields of science incl. social science together with an international delegation of „Peace through Cul-ture“ dealing with the subject „Religion and Terrorism“.

2007:

– Vilnius/Lithuania – Conference on „Ethics in Economy“

– Egypt – international, intercultural Conference in Alexandria and Cairo titled „Islam – Tradition and Ethics“, with highly qualified scientists and authorities from the various fields of culture and social sciences.

– Grozny/Chechnya – Intercultural Islam-Forum for peace creation against reli-gious and political terrorism: „Islam – Religion of Peace and creative Actions“

– Jekaterinburg (Ural) – Conference: „Healing through Culture“
 

2008:

– Moscow – Int. Conference „Ethics – the most significant Social Science“

– Vilnius/Lithuania: DAY of CULTURE und XIVth „Ethical Forum“

– Jekaterinburg/Ural: „Eurasia – a new continent of Synthesis is forming“

– Grozny/Chechnya – Ist Peace-Making Forum titled: „Interreligious, interethnical Dialogue as Basis for a tolerant Society“

– Egypt, Cairo – Intercultural Conference „ISLAM – Culture and Society“
 

2009:

– Vilnius/Lithuania – 15th April: DAY of CULTURE and XVth Ethical Forum

– Germany, Berlin – May: Participation Int. Congress “Islam between Tradition and Modern Times”  – analysis of the progressive “Guelen-movement” from various views (Jewish, Christian, scientific and others)

– Lithuania, Vilnius: September – 10th anniversary of the “Ethical Forum”

2010:       

– Lithuania, Klaipeda: April – Int. Conference titled “Culture – the sphere of revelation for sciences, the arts and religions”

– Kazakhstan, Astana: October 18th through 20 – “World Forum of Spiritual Culture” with approx. 700 participants from about 75 states (Nobel prize winners, scientists, renowned artists, high ranking politicians, cultural representatives etc.) – also see www.astanaforum.kz

2011:       

– Lithuania, Vilnius and Palanga: April 15th – DAY of CULTURE – Celebration in the parliament of Lithuania with cultural frame and official raising of the Banner of Peace. Parallel event in Palanga (Baltic Sea) in the presence of the mayor and other officials.

– Chechny, Grozny: IVth “Int. Peace-Making-Forum” titled: “Islam – a religion of creation and social justice“

(to be cont’d)

In addition to the events described herein, there are regular meetings and conferences espe-cially with Roerich friends and others in the Baltic countries, in Russia, Ukraine and some
other countries.

A number of lectures and Round-Table events in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy and others are rounding up the working program of our association.

… and many other international activities with the target to  connect peoples, civilizations and cultures.