Tolerance does not simply imply recognition of the existence of a person different from you. Tolerance implies the possibility for this “different” person to feel comfortable in any community. Therefore, the presence of any political group that advocates hatred of minorities as well as national, ethnic, religious or other type of exclusiveness cannot be tolerated.

Civic position is not a static pose, it implies action and an active attitude toward life. My participation in the Lyceum’s charity action aimed to provide support to the Elista Home for Senior Citizens had a lasting and profound impression on me. Never before have I been so acutely aware of someone close by needing badly my assistance. It is important to understand that everyone can make the world around us a better place to live.

Our future is not guaranteed. All of us - Planet Earth residents, including Russian citizens - are currently engaged in its building. Different people and different forces see their future in different ways. But there is one principal thing in common – the future should secure the right to free development for all peoples and Earth residents. That is why the most pressing political problem today is the development of equal and mutually beneficial international cooperation in the context of a new evolving multipolar world as well as a joint standoff in the face of such threats as international terrorism, nuclear proliferation, global climate change, infectious diseases and transnational organized crime.

Tolerance implies the ability “to see through” a person, which is, undoubtedly, a difficult, but extremely important skill to master for all of us. Tolerance requires regular and deliberate training.