INTERFAITH CONSULTATIVE AND ADVISORY ASSOCIATIONS AT REGIONAL AND LOCAL EXECUTIVE AUTHORITIES OF UKRAINE (IN 1991–2021 YEARS)

Abstract

The preconditions, history of formation and specifics of activity of consultative and advisory associations at executive authorities in Ukraine are considered. It is established that in 1992, in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea a consultative and advisory body of regional importance – the Interfaith Council of Crimea Peace is a gift of God – was established for the first time. It actively promoted optimization of interethnic and interreligious relations in the ARC. On the territory of other administrative-territorial centers of Ukraine, similar associations have been formed since the second half of the 2000s (in 2005 and 2011) at regional state administrations. The activities of these interfaith councils in this period were rather formal. Since 2014, there has been another formation of interfaith associations at both the regional and local levels. However, the formation was much better, especially in those regions where interreligious cooperation and social activity of religious organizations of the appropriate level is observed. After 2015, one can observe the formation of inter-religious associations at the local level, which correlates with the completion of administrative-territorial reform. In connection therewith significant powers were transferred from central executive authorities to local self-government authorities.