Jul 21, 2009 -- President Dmitri A. Medvedev of the Russian Federation received Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and Russia, Rabbi Arthur Schneier, President, Appeal of Conscience Foundation, and UNESCO Director-General Matsuura to encourage the active engagement of religious leaders in advancing tolerance and mutual understanding.

The Sheik-Ul-Islam Allakshukur Pashazade, the Grand Mufti of the Caucasus and Archbishop Antonio Menini, the Nuncio of the Holy See to Russia were part of the delegation. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also participated.

On the subject of Russia – US relations, President Medvedev agreed with Rabbi Arthur Schneier’s proposal for Russia and the United States to expand people to people relations between the two countries and help build support for the initiatives discussed during the Obama-Medvedev Summit.

The Appeal of Conscience Foundation has had a longstanding cooperation with the religious communities of Russia and Central Asia.