Særlig alliance mødes for første gang i Asien – den skal med “bløde midler” bekæmpe konflikter, medvirke til forsoning og skabe grobund for miljømæssig skånsom udvikling udfra en fast grund af dialog mellem kulturer og verdens store religioner.
BALI, 29 August 2014 (UN News Service): United Nations officials Friday highlighted the important role played by the initiative known as the Alliance of Civilizations (http://www.unaoc.org) in building bridges to peace, especially amid the current instability in many parts of the world, as they kicked off a global forum in Bali, Indonesia.
“The Alliance is here for you to serve as a soft power tool for conflict prevention, reconciliation, and to advance sustainable development,” said the High Representative of the Alliance of Civilizations, Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser.
Launched in 2005 through the initiative of Spain and Turkey, under the auspices of the UN, the Alliance seeks to promote better cross-cultural relations worldwide.
Samfundene slås med identitets-spændinger
Addressing the opening of the 6th Global Forum of the Alliance of Civilizations, Mr. Al-Nasser said the crises in Iraq, Gaza, Syria, the Central African Republic, Nigeria, Burma, and Sri Lanka clearly demonstrate that societies are grappling with identity-based tensions.
“Globally, there is a persistent need for the work of the Alliance if we really want to pursue the future we want,” he told the gathering of government officials, business representatives, faith leaders, media professionals and young people from around the world.
Mr. Nasser noted that the Alliance retains a strong commitment to innovative approaches. For example, it is working with the UN Development Programme (UNDP) to promote digital games and apps as avenues for cross-cultural dialogue and conflict resolution.
It is also working with private sector organizations such as the BMW Group and others to promote dialogue and intercultural understanding, while making vital contributions to prosperity and peace.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon noted that too many of the world’s worst crises are driven by those who exploit fear for power.
“Too many societies are fracturing along cultural, religious or ethnic lines,” he stated, adding “We have much work ahead of us across a landscape of tension.”
In this context, the many grassroots initiatives supported by the Alliance are making a real difference around the world, from encouraging Muslim-Christian volunteerism in Mindanao to helping Pakistani university students take the lead in healing sectarian divisions.
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Begynd fra: “This is the first time the Forum is being hosted in….”
