The President of Appeal of Conscience Foundation Rabbi Arthur Schneier, who has come to Kazakhstan on official visit, attended the Assembly of Kazakhstani Nations today. The heads of ethnic and cultural centers greeted rabbi Schneier and his wife. The guest visited the Assembly multimedia training center and electronic library. Then a round-table discussion followed.

   It is significant that students of Almaty State University, Department of International Relations that had internship in the Assembly also took part in the round table. The future diplomats eagerly listened to Arthur Schneier's story of his peacemaking foundation. The idea of struggle for human rights and tolerance achieved by promoting open dialogue found response among Kazakhstani youth and adults.

  "It is the first time that I visit Kazakhstan," rabbi said, "but I have long known the word "alma" which means apple in Kazakh. I learnt it in Hungary, where I had found asylum once. It also means "apple" in the Hungarian language. By the way, it was there that I first heard about Kazakhstan - from Magyars who were proud for belonging here."

   In the afternoon rabbi Arthur Schneier is planning to visit Almaty Jewish Community Center and welfare organization Hesed "Polina".

Galina Goldberg