Canada interested in upcoming Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in Astana

Ambassador Zhigalov presented the Canadian parliamentarian with an invitation to attend the 5th Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in Astana on June 10-11, 2015. During the meeting the sides underscored the relevance of the initiative of President of Kazakhstan NursultanNazarbayev to host regular religious congresses in Kazakhstan's capital in view of the difficult international situation and the increase in cases of religiously motivated violence in the world. In view of this, they also noted the importance and successful experience of the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan that works to promote tolerance, interethnic and interreligious unity. Kazakhstan's model of interethnic and interreligious accord is perceived with great interest in the Canadian political and expert community. That is why, one of the key topics on the programme of the first in the history of Kazakhstan-Canadian diplomatic relations visit of a delegation of the Parliament of Canada to Kazakhstan in September 2014, was their visit to the Secretariat of Assembly of People of Kazakhstan and talks with its leadership. Canadian representatives often participate in the events hosted in Kazakhstan on the topic of dialogue of cultures and religions. Canadian Ambassador for Religious Freedom Andrew Bennett visited Astana to take part in the international conference on the freedom of belief in March 2013. In 2012 former Prime Minister of Canada Jean Chretien participated and delivered a speech at the 4th Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions.