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CDAC Secretary-General and Editor M.S. Karlen in different meetings with Mikhail Gorbachev

The Gorbachev Foundation

September 01, 2022

Comprehensive Dialogue Magazine, #2

Our latest background publication on defending Light and Liberty

May, 2022

Comprehensive Dialogue Magazine, #1

A deeper look at the Climate Crisis, future scenarios and possible solutions

January, 2022

Official Presentation of the new CDAC Publication "Phenomena Mikhail Gorbacheva"

("Essential Thoughts" book in Russian language)

BRICS Multimedia Center, Moscow

April 22, 2021

Michael S. Karlen interviewed by Bricks TV

BRICS Multimedia Center, Moscow

April 21, 2021

Mikhail Gorbachev’s “Essential Thoughts”

The New CDAC Publication

February 20, 2021

 

'Russian Lessons for Reagan' Launch at Gorbachev Foundation

The Gorbachev Foundation, Moscow

December 12, 2017

 

The Unveiling Ceremony of the Gorbachev-Reagan Statue

Burganov Museum, Moscow

July 3, 2017

Open Interactive Seminar at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations

(MGIMO University)

“UN today: Deals and People. From Vladimir Petrovsky to António Guterres” 

December 7, 2016

Meeting at the Foreign Ministry of Russia

December 24, 2015

Official Presentation of the book "Vladimir Petrovsky: the Master-Diplomat" in Moscow

Diplomatic Academy of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

December 8, 2015

Official Presentation of the book "Vladimir Petrovsky: the Master-Diplomat" in Geneva

UN Library, Palais des Nations
December 3, 2015

A Memorial Ceremony for Vladimir Petrovsky 

Foreign Ministry of the Russian Federation, Moscow
April 23, 2014

Kulanshi Art Forum: Archigulle in Kazakhstan

Astana, Kazakhstan

Otober 17 - November 13, 2008

Bahrain Dialogue of Civilizations Conference

Manama, Bahrain
Otober 29, 2008

World Public Forum Dialogue of Civilizations Conference

Rhodes, Greece
October 10-14, 2007

The International Conference on Islamic Civilization in Central Asia

Astana, Kazakhstan
September 4, 2007

East-West Dialogue

Barcelona, Spain
October 23-24, 2006

New Publication by Vladimir Petrovsky 
"The Triad of Strategic Security of the Global Society"

English Translation
October, 2006

World Public Forum Dialogue of Civilizations Conference

Rhodes, Greece
September 30, 2006

Media Workshop for Journalists on Understanding and Reporting Religion

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
May 28, 2006

The International Conference
"Caucasus without conflicts and terrorism. Civilization Dialogue on the Causasian Crossroads"

Yerevan, Armenia
May 16-18, 2006

24

Remembering President Gorbachev
Michael S. Karlen, CDAC Secretary General


Two days ago President Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev has left this world.

The earth has lost a towering world figure, a uniquely good person, a personified hope to millions and a hero to countless people around the world, including myself.

 

Victor Benediktov, Chief of Radio Moscow and close friend of President Gorbachev said:

We have all become orphans.” Yes, on a physical level that is true. But the spiritual leader Sri Chinmoy oncesaid: “The message that President Gorbachev is offering to the world at large is both transcendental and universal, so it is bound to be accepted by the entire human­ity. It is only a matter of time.

 

What a colossal world figure he was! Yet, so intimately close and warm in a personal discussion and encounter. He had an open heart that loved all, even his enemies and sometimes even to his own disadvantage. Raisa, was once asked what President Gorbachev’s main quality was. Without hesitation she said “it his love for his fellow human beings and it is inborn.


President Gorbachev has been called “the Avant-Garde” of the good. Yes, he was good and he did do a lot of good. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that he did probably more good for humanity than any other person in history.

 

He was the main force in bringing the cold war to and end, initiating and promoting a new spirit in international cooperation that was based on trust, solidarity, concern and goodwill. He was the main person to let the German reunification happen, he was the responsible person for the transition to self-government and freedom of many Eastern European Countries. And in his own country Russia he granted people freedom of speech, freedom to assemble, freedom to travel, freedom to choose and practice their own religion. He also introduced true and authentic democratic structures of government.

 

But he also had this unique visionary spirit and I will just mention one example to illustrate that. He said that to embark on the path of complete nuclear weapon elimination would mean passing humanity’s maturity test. I think it is a fabulous image. Imagine the world as a human being and what age would it have in terms of maturity? What age are we at now?

 

At the height of his Presidency Mikhail Gorbachev was the most popular person in the world. A short Opinion Piece in the New York Times on May 21, 1989 illustrates this well. It runs:
“Imagine that an alien spaceship approached Earth and sent the message: ''Take me to your leader.'' Who would that be? Without doubt, Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev.

 

Mikhail Gorbachev surely was and remains humanity’s true leader and he surely was and will remain humanity’s true and eternal friend.

 

Geneva, September 1, 2022

Comprehensive Dialogue Magazine, #2

Our latest background publication on defending Light and Liberty

May, 2022

Anchor 24

Comprehensive Dialogue Magazine, #1

A deeper look at the Climate Crisis, future scenarios and possible solutions

January, 2022