The message reads, in part:
“Andrei Sakharov, a world-renowned scientist and human rights activist, firmly believed that the future is created by all of us, and that it is important to strive for moral self-improvement. He clearly understood that freedom and responsibility are inseparable. His own destiny serves as an example of a life spent following one’s conscience and adhering steadily to the principles that he defended, fearlessly and selflessly.
Mr Sakharov feared that dissociation was a major threat to humanity and insisted that only equal cooperation, openness and respect for every personality will allow us to preserve and develop our civilisation. Today, looking into the latest history, we can fully appreciate the depth and relevance of Andrei Sakharov’s ideas which are in tune with the challenges faced by modern Russian society.”
The conference is taking place in Moscow on December 14 and 15, the days of remembrance for Academician Andrei Sakharov, a prominent scientist and public figure.