"Christianity as an integrating factor of world culture" – 24th International Forum, organized by the International Public Association Christian Educational Centre – St. Cyril and Methodius, opened in Minsk on 29 May.

As the only foreign guest speaker, Serbian Ambassador to Belarus Veljko Kovačević addressed the participants of the Forum saying that the traditional Cyril and Methodius Forum contributes to the development of spiritual and moral values at the time of an identity crisis of both the individual and entire nations. Ambassador Kovačević spoke about Serbia as part of the Christian civilization and about the Serbian Orthodox Church, with a historical overview of its acquisition of autocephaly in 1219.

The forum has been held in Belarus for over 20 years and it has gathered many international experts in the fields of theology, history, philosophy and culture, high-ranking clergymen of the church and diplomatic corps. Traditionally, this conference has dealt with various issues of intercultural and inter-faith dialogue, Christian spirituality and its importance in the contemporary world.