January, 2002

Dialogue between Cultures: the Agenda of International Relations

Dr. Walid Abdel-Nasser

In 1998, the United Nations declared 2001 a year of dialogue between cultures. The declaration came in response to the claims of conflict and clash between civilisations. Following the adoption of the resolution, the UN secretary-general submitted annual reports that link the concepts of pluralism and diversification to dialogue between cultures. According to these reports, the rejection of pluralism and diversification lies behind many conflicts and wars in today's world, as well as ethnic prejudices, racism and religious fanaticism.

The UN General Assembly, on an annual basis, adopted a draft on the preparation for the year of dialogue between cultures. An increasing number of countries adopted the resolutions each year. The resolutions call upon governments to include in their scholastic curricula material that encourages students to respect cultural and linguistic pluralism and makes them aware of the achievements of other cultures with the aim of promoting mutual comprehension and acknowledgement.

Public discussion about dialogue between cultures in the period between 1998 and 2001 was marked with consensus on the need for cultural diversification for the sake of enrichment of human progress and cultural dialogue, and this sentiment has increased since the terrorist attacks of 11 September. According to the resolution, the confrontation of terrorism is impossible without the enhancement of cultural dialogue, elimination of conflict, and the ruling out of linking any one culture or civilisation, such as the Islamic civilisation, with terrorism.

The resolution elucidates the role of the UN in this regard and links dialogue to principles and objectives of the UN charter and human rights declaration. Delegates were called upon to show respect for all religious beliefs as well as for human dignity and justice. Several delegates - including non-Muslim ones - defended Islam and described it as a religion of peace and tolerance. They explained that Islam has always called for dialogue between cultures and for interaction and rapprochement between peoples, and that it has always been against fanaticism, introversion and hostility against other cultures.

Arab delegates in the UN General Assembly have assumed a prominent role during discussions. They expressed the belief of Arab countries in dialogue between cultures and their rejection of conflict. In the wake of the 11 September attacks, Arab foreign ministers have taken serious steps in this regard. These include approving an initiative put forth by the Arab League secretary-general to establish an Arab intellectual aggregation; crystallising a definite formula to confront the campaign against Arabs and Muslims; balancing cultural non-equilibrium inside the Arab world; and improving the image of Arabs and Muslims worldwide.

The Organisation of African Unity formed a team of governmental experts that set an executive programme to promote the unity of mankind and the common responsibility for disseminating the spirit of interaction and communication as well as a culture of dialogue and tolerance. The programme renders this the only alternative for confrontation, conflict, isolation and xenophobia before governments and nations. The programme calls for the convention of a number of meetings between representatives of different governments and organisations to spread the authentic meaning of pluralism and to explore common factors between different cultures without infringing privacy. The programme also calls for extensive dialogue on issues of social justice and the combating of injustice.

The francophone summit scheduled for October 2001 but postponed till October 2002 as a result of 11 September had formulated a programme of action that centred totally on dialogue between cultures and the promotion of values of tolerance, equality and cooperation. The project included a number of proposals for the activation of dialogue between cultures through programmes of education, translation of creative works and the financing of various cultural activities.

The Vatican implemented a number of initiatives to promote dialogue between religions and cultures. Pope Jean-Paul II said that the events of 11 September and their consequences mirror a clash between civilisations that runs counter to the authentic teachings of religions, which call for tolerance and reconciliation. A number of Islamic-Christian meetings were held to probe into the issue of dialogue between religions and cultures and these meetings recommended the enhancement of cooperation between cultures and religions to promote tolerance.

As a result of the events of 11 September, all initiatives of dialogue between cultures face a new challenge. Such initiatives must prove the credibility of dialogue and its multidimensional impact in decision-making circles, media, academic and research centres, associations of businessmen and civic society organisations. The impact and credibility of dialogue between cultures are the true criteria that determine the relationship between these initiatives and real life. They also provide a measure of the ability of these initiatives to bring about a positive change in methodologies of thinking, behaviour and dealing with others. When the concept of dialogue between cultures is fully embraced, societies will be able to act without rendering others as enemies or threats, and without overlooking the values of justice, equality and mutual respect and without monopolising rights.

Dialogue between both cultures and religions is most definitely intertwined, as religion is a significant composite of any culture. The Islamic world in this respect assumes a pioneering role in raising the issue of dialogue between cultures on the international level and through regional and international organisations. This is natural in light of the keenness of the Islamic countries to improve the authentic image of Islam as a religion and a culture of tolerance and coexistence.