UNESCO and the Dialogue among Civilizations, Cultures and ...



UNESCO and the Dialogue among Civilizations, Cultures and Peoples[1]

(This document was produced in 2005)

‘Dialogue among cultures and civilizations is a necessity in today’s world in order to overcome obstacles, prejudice and the resurgent forms of ignorance, and to understand and learn from others and their experiences.’

(Koïchiro Matsuura, Director-General of UNESCO)

‘I see.. dialogue as a chance for people of different cultures and traditions to get to know each other better, whether they live on opposite sides of the world or on the same street.’ (Former United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan)

1. Introduction: Dialogue among Civilizations or Clash of Ignorances?

‘Our village or district has become global, and we cannot choose our neighbours. Maybe we do not like some of these neighbours, but we need mechanisms of pacific cohabitation.’

(Jiri Dienstbier, former Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister of Czechoslovakia)

The quest for a dialogue among civilizations and peoples is associated with interaction among countries, cultures and civilizations, especially in a multilateral context. It echoes the spirit of the UN Charter calling for the discovery of shared beliefs and concerns, the regulation of disputes through communication and cross-cultural reconciliation in order ‘to develop friendly relations among nations’.

UNESCO’s Constitution adopted in 1945 explicitly recognises ‘[..] that ignorance of each other's ways and lives has been a common cause, throughout the history of mankind, of that suspicion and mistrust between the peoples of the world through which their differences have all too often broken into war [..]’ and therefore commits the Organization to the promotion of dialogue, mutual knowledge and understanding in order to ‘build peace in the minds of men’. From its inception, UNESCO has thus actively addressed the issues and problems associated with a dialogue among civilizations and conducted a number of major programmes aimed at enhancing intercultural and interreligious exchange in its fields of competence (education, the sciences, culture and communication).

Today, globalization and the emergence of new challenges and threats to humankind have made the need for dialogue among peoples more important than ever. In our interconnected world, there is increased interaction among all cultures. This has given rise to new forms of exchange and understanding among people and unprecedented opportunities for the transmission of ideas. In fact, our world has never been more ‘connected’: information and communication technologies, increased integration and dynamic migration flows allow people in many parts of the world to learn about each other, to communicate their differences, exchange ideas, knowledge and values.

However, at the same time as globalization encourages exchange and interaction, we also witness the emergence or re-emergence of disturbing forms of ignorance and conflict. These new ‘ignorances’, reflected in misunderstandings, stereotypes and xenophobia, reveal an ignorance of cultural diversity. They also reflect a deep-seated ignorance of the increasingly acute social differences between continents, countries and within countries and of other visions for the future development of our world. Outbreaks of violence and the emergence of ‘new’ types of conflict in various regions of the world have even led to speculations about a ‘clash of civilisations’: the world is seen by some as divided into opposing cultures, ideologies and religious outlooks that are in increasing conflict with one another.

In a context where some perceive the diversity of human cultures as a threat, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously proclaimed the year 2001 as the ‘United Nations Year of Dialogue among Civilizations’ and subsequently adopted the ‘Global Agenda for the Dialogue among Civilizations’. This proclamation expressed the strong need to affirm the existence of universal values common to all societies and cultures and to make dialogue a path leading to the reconciliation of multiple perspectives rather than focus on just one vision of the world. Because we are all different - and because this diversity is our strength - we have to reject the binary logic of those who want to draw civilizations into an absurd global clash of cultures. We have to reinterpret our diversity as a positive force for a humanistic dialogue.

What is diversity? What can people do to open the lines of communication and provide examples for the meaning of diversity? What does a dialogue among civilizations mean? (United Nations Year of Dialogue among Civilizations, 2001)

2. The meaning of the ‘Dialogue among Civilizations’

‘Dialogue among civilizations is a process between and within civilizations, founded on inclusion, and a collective desire to learn, uncover and examine assumptions, unfold shared meaning and core values and integrate multiple perspectives through dialogue.’ (UN General Assembly Res. 56/6 ‘Global Agenda for Dialogue among Civilizations’, 2001)

‘No civilization by itself can claim to represent all humanity and to assume full responsibility for it. Neither can one single civilization claim exclusive rights to provide a universally valid vision of how to be a good human being and how to live wisely in today’s world.’ (Valdas Adamkus, President of the Republic of Lithuania)

The concept of the ‘dialogue’ runs counter to the notion of a clash between civilizations. As globalization is a challenge that invites us to embrace our interdependence and rich cultural diversity, it is crucial to develop new forms of ‘learning to live together’. Learning to live together in a globalising world means recognizing difference and diversity as an opportunity, not a threat, and as a valuable contribution to the common good. Dialogue is vital in this endeavour since it is about opening up spaces for a deeper understanding of the diversity of peoples. It implies a commitment to mutual knowledge, sustainable development, increased exchanges between people, the development of shared values and the recognition of and learning about diversity.

In fact, civilizations have been and are being enriched by each other and have always evolved through contact, exchange and dialogue with other civilizations, and for that matter, peoples. Civilizations are inherently intercultural, while preserving the uniqueness of their own identities. A principal objective of the ‘dialogue among cultures and civilizations’ is to bridge the gap in knowledge about other civilizations, cultures and societies as well as peoples, to lay the foundations for dialogue based on universally shared values and to undertake concrete activities, inspired and driven by dialogue, especially in the areas of and through education, cultural diversity and heritage, the sciences and communication, information and the media.

3. UNESCO’s actions towards a ‘Dialogue among Cultures and Civilizations’

‘Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defences of peace must be constructed.’ (UNESCO Constitution)

‘Dialogue begins at home… it is an imperative at both international and national levels.’ (Olusegun Obasanjo, President of Nigeria)

The promotion of dialogue in order to build ‘peace in the minds of men’ lies at the heart of UNESCO’s Constitution and its mission. This mandate and orientation has become all the more important in recent years and even weeks. Following the proclamation of 2001 as the ‘International Year of Dialogue among Civilizations’, UNESCO was assigned the lead role with regard to its promotion through cultural, social and educational programmes. It has since intensified efforts that foster a better mutual understanding between cultures through the discovery of a common heritage and shared values.

This task has also gained in significance as UNESCO is equally the lead agency for the promotion of the ‘International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-violence for the Children of the World’ (2001-2010).[2] The mandate for the Decade (designated by the UN General Assembly) specifically emphasizes the need for the international community to implement strategies to focus on and ensure assistance for children exposed to harmful and violent situations. It emphasizes two main aspects to which Member States must commit themselves during the Decade, namely, education for a culture of peace with children at the centre, and a strategy sustaining a global movement of partnership and exchange.

In order to mobilize and advance a dialogue among different groups of society, UNESCO has organized and supported a series of international meetings and conferences in all regions of the world, some of them in zones with a history of conflict and tensions. The important declarations resulting from these international forums all highlight a commitment to common and universal values which constitute the very basis of the dialogue among civilizations. These values include tolerance and respect for the other, the respect for cultural diversity, sustainable development and the commitment to democratic practices and peace. These declarations (e.g. ‘New Delhi Declaration’[3], ‘Message from Ohrid’[4]) also provide a framework for concrete activities which guide UNESCO’s action to ensure that the dialogue among cultures and civilizations promotes diversity and pluralism, acts as an effective instrument of positive transformation and yields practical results and action.

Indeed, the greatest challenge is to turn theory into practice and to translate statements into reality through concrete action! An important result of the series of summits and international conferences organised around the ‘dialogue’ is the recognition that if it remains limited to declarations of general principles and statements of good intentions, a dialogue among civilizations will have few consequences for how people actually live together, interact, and understand one another.

In 2003, the UNESCO General Conference therefore adopted a resolution calling for new perspectives in the dialogue among civilizations (32C/ Resolution 47, p. 87)[5] and a strengthening of UNESCO’s activities, particularly at the regional and sub-regional levels. This resolution also explicitly calls upon governments and civil society to ensure the empowerment and involvement of women and youth in efforts to foster the dialogue among cultures and civilizations. Following this resolution and in order to take dialogue ‘from the conference hall into policies and practices’, UNESCO has committed itself to concrete activities in all its areas of competence.

CURRENT DIALOGUE ORIENTED ACTIVITIES

Education

In the field of education; emphasis is placed on the pursuit of the specific aspects of the six Education for All (EFA) goals and efforts to promote quality education. Concrete activities to promote a quality education integrating dialogue-oriented values include, for example:

• support to Member States in the revision of textbooks, learning materials and curricula in order to foster cultural and linguistic diversity, an unbiased portrayal of other cultures and a multi-perspective history teaching which is free from stereotypes and factual errors;

• the introduction of dialogue components into non-formal education and teacher training;

• promotion of values and respect for difference and diversity through the Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (2005-2014)[6], for which UNESCO is the lead agency (UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development);

• the promotion of school-to-school partnerships and student exchanges (ex. ‘Mondialogo’)[7]

Culture

The respect for cultural diversity is at the heart of the dialogue among civilizations. UNESCO’ s activities therefore focus in particular on the preservation of cultural heritage, both in its tangible and intangible form and on the promotion of intercultural dialogue as one of the surest guarantees of development and peace. Concrete actions in this regard are:

• promoting UNESCO’s ‘Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity’ (‘All different, all unique: Young people and UNESCO’s Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity’)[8];

• preserving tangible and intangible cultural heritage (‘World Heritage in Young Hands’)[9] and focusing on its potential as a tool for reconciliation and better understanding;

• interregional intercultural projects which foster encounter between peoples and exchange of knowledge and interaction (Silk Roads Project[10]);

• fostering cultural and artistic creativity as a tool for mediation and communication and to promote cultural diversity in creative works (DIGIARTS)[11].

Sciences

In the field of sciences, dialogue-oriented initiatives focus on the link to sustainable development, the promotion of the natural and social sciences as a means for social transformation and increased networking and cooperation.

Examples of current activities are:

Natural Sciences:

• Support to regional cooperation mechanisms, e.g. joint water management networks;

• Building of dialogue between traditional and local knowledge holders and scientists (LINKS)[12];

• Scientific networking and cooperation (establishment of the World Academy of Young Scientists[13], university collaboration through the UNITWIN network)

Social and Human Sciences:

• ‘Interregional Philosophical Dialogues’ to promote philosophical reflection and exchange between different regions and traditions;

• Promotion of dialogue on ethics of science and technology;

• Celebration of 'International Philosophy Day’;

• Activities that help mobilize societies against racism, xenophobia and intolerance (International Coalition of Cities against Racism/Canadian Coalition of Municipalities against Racism and Discrimination)[14].

Information and Communication

The media and new information and communication technologies are pivotal in shaping our conception of the world and in broadening our understanding of cultural diversity. UNESCO therefore encourages actions which:

• strengthen the freedom of expression as the foundation for true intercultural dialogue and supporting independent, pluralistic and professional media;

• develop curricula for media professionals to address dialogue issues and potential · promote virtual dialogues and exchanges;

• promote the use of ICTs for empowering young people and increasing their participation;

• The promotion of dialogue among cultures and civilizations is a fundamental part of UNESCO’s overall action. Its draft programme and budget for 2006-2007 (33 C/5) foresees action related to the Dialogue among civilizations and peoples in many of the Organization’s core activities.

The next steps will be to further expand the scope of the dialogue, to reach more people from all parts of the world, to design more effective actions and programmes and to better adapt it to specific regions. How can a dialogue be seen as important if it is not ‘something that all parts of society can relate to and become involved in: from primary school children to university professors, from government officials to civil society organisations, from scientists and engineers to artists and writers’ (Koïchiro Matsuura, Director-General of UNESCO)?

The recent Rabat Conference on ‘Fostering Dialogue among Cultures and Civilizations through Concrete and Sustained Action’[15] (June 2005) has laid out very concrete entry points in this regard. Thus, the time has therefore come for new approaches and concrete action to ensure the dialogue among civilizations becomes a true and sustained dialogue among people(s) with real effects on how we live together and that the vision, ideas, experiences and energies of young people become an integral part of this exercise.

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[1] Source : ? (Note prepared by UNESCO – BSP/YTH, 28 July 2005)

[2] Decade’s Website:

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6] Decade’s Website :

[7] For more information on Mondialogo :

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11] DigiArts Website :

[12] LINKS

[13] WAYS

[14] International Coalition of Cities against Racism Website ; Canadian Coalition of Municipalities against Racism and Discrimination

[15]

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