This first conference celebrates the foundation in St. Petersburg of the Roerich Family Museum-Institute. The Museum-Institute is dedicated to cooperation with organizations, government agencies and individuals worldwide interested in culture and spiritual unity based on openness, creativity and cultural enlightenment. The conference acknowledges the key role of St. Petersburg State University and the Administration of St. Petersburg in the establishment and organization of the Museum. In addition, the conference would like to recognize the Mitusov family for their role in the preservation of the Roerich family heritage in St Petersburg.

In view of the exceptional importance of N.K. Roerich's heritage to St. Petersburg, Russia and world culture in general, it is of special significance that the conference took place within the walls of the University of St. Petersburg, the alma mater of N. K. Roerich. Conference participants express special appreciation to the university management, professorial staff and employees for their active participation and support of this multi-faceted event enabling high-level debate of the many aspects of Roerich's heritage, challenges for its preservation, study and diffusion.

The conference officially calls upon scientists, historians and government representatives of all nations to unite in free, unbiased study of Roerich's heritage with the goal of making it accessible to all.

N.K. Roerich's view of culture as "humanity's sacred hope" and his international activities have acquired special meanings today. It is culture that is becoming the main foundation for understanding among the peoples of the world. By remaining the steady platform for international communication amidst global upheavals, it is culture that can ensure a continuation of constructive and creative activities for mankind. It is therefore imperative to unite the efforts of scientific, educational, cultural and research organizations and individuals acting within "cultural envelopes."

As the "Banner of Peace" is an acknowledged symbol of Roerich's Pact and also a symbol of scientific, educational and culturally enlightening enterprises closely associated with the Roerich Family Heritage, the conference proposes the the "Banner of Peace" be adopted as the official symbol of the preservation of the cultural heritage of humanity.

The conference puts forth the following resolutions:

1. Petition the Mayor of St. Petersburg to allot a separate building in the historical district of the city to house the Roerich Family Museum/Institute as an international artistic, scientific, educational and information center in conjunction with the ongoing preparations for the celebration of the Tricentennial Anniversary of the Foundation of St. Petersburg.

2. Hold this conference annually, contacting interested organizations with a view to coordination of dates, presentations, themes.

3. Continue the study of the life and activities of N.K. Roerich, his university pursuits and his contemporaries. Establish, for that purpose, a scientifically organized plan of research within the framework of the "Famous University Graduates."

4. In cooperation with interested organizations, encourage the inclusion of facts about Roerich's Heritage into textbooks of twentieth century history.

5. Pay particular attention to the valuable literary, philosophical, artistic, archeological and cultural vision of the Roerich family.

6. With a view of organizing in St. Petersburg a museum complex, and in connection with the city's tricentennial celebration organize city Council about a history and culture of a St. Petersburg family based on the Museum/Institute of the Roerich family, K. May museum-gymnasium, the national museum of A.S. Pushkin, the N.A. Nekrasov museum, the A.A. Ahmatova museum, and other museums.

7. Continue the effort to study the international experience in the area of preservation begun by N.K. Roerich with the goal of creating an international convention based on Roerich's Pact and subsequent international agreements on preservation of the cultural heritage of humanity and a call to an international convention for its adoption.

8. Support the initiative to publish in Russian and English a complete reference of international laws of the last 200 years dealing with preservation of cultural treasures.

9. Support the simultaneous efforts of the Roerich Family Museum/Institute, the Irida-Pross funds and the Roerich's Heritage, the administration of Vyshniy Volochok and the Vyshnevolotzkiy region of the Tver district to create the Museum/Institute extensions and its scientific platform.

10. Recommend the continuation and broadening of the publishing activities of Roerich's Center, St. Petersburg State University and other interested organizations and individuals.

11. Petition a representative of the President of the Russian Federation to offer assistance in completing the construction of the Roerich Family Museum/Institute.

12. Support the preservation efforts and study of the petroglyph pantheon in the Kandalak preserve and the opening of a cultural exposition of the petroglyph materials under the auspices of the State University of St. Petersburg and the Roerich Family Museum/Institute.

13. Support the efforts of St. Petersburg's N.K. Roerich Art School in preparation for the student exhibit of "Traditional and Contemporary Art" dedicated to the St. Petersburg tricentennial celebration.

14. Express deep appreciation to Valery Vitaliyevich Petrov and Igor Vasilievich Saharov, the first donors to the Roerich Family Museum/Institute.