Forty eminent religious and political leaders, scholars and representatives of international organizations from diverse backgrounds today called for urgent action to address mounting fears, inequalities and alienation in the midst of global crises.
Meeting in Tehran on 12-14 October 2008 for a conference on “Religion in the Modern World,” the call comes in response to expectations around the world for new vision and ethical leadership on growing challenges.
Conference participants were conscious that their meeting takes place against the background of ongoing food, energy and financial crises, and violence by state and non-state actors in new and protracted conflicts. These circumstances threaten to exacerbate social and identity-based divisions in and between societies.
The conference addressed the role of religious and political leaders in these circumstances and considered what steps they can and should take to alleviate these challenges. “We recognize that a reassertion of ethical values is needed to deal with the problems of inequality and poverty, of climate change, denial of fundamental human dignity, rights and freedoms, and increasing fears, polarization and violence,” said Kjell Magne Bondevik, former Prime Minister of Norway and head of the Oslo Center for Peace and Human Rights, a co-organizer of the conference.
Participants called on religious leaders to be mindful of their moral responsibility to be the voice of conscience, and their capacity to heal divisions and contribute to advance social justice and human rights and to prevent war and violence. They urged them also to challenge political leaders and support them as appropriate.
“We political and religious leaders from different faiths recognize that our common concerns and shared values are more significant than our differences. We must focus on the values of justice, responsibility and respect for human dignity and human rights, as we face these challenges,” said Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland, former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and Vice President, Club of Madrid.
“We must commit ourselves to dialogue as a means to explore issues of concern and discover our common humanity and undertake to continue these dialogues and work together to contribute to overcoming polarization and violence and building shared societies for a fair and just world order,” said Seyed Mohammad Khatami, former President of Iran and President of the Foundation for Dialogue among Civilizations.
The participants agreed on 12 practical measures to be taken individually and collectively. These include establishing a joint task force; convening a resource group of religious and political leaders, who can work with current leaders and decision-makers to address global and regional conflicts; organizing roundtables with current government leaders and officials to share the vision of dialogue and its contribution in conflict prevention and resolution; compiling examples of best policies and practices on dialogue and co-existence between religions and cultures; organizing interactions between youth and religious and political leaders; establish local partnerships through networking and liaison with national civil society organizations; engaging the private sector; and widely disseminating the principles of dialogue through web sites, newspaper editorials; and explore publication of a periodic “Religious and Cultural Dialogue Watch Report.” They also include cooperation with other global initiatives and organizations such as UN Global Agenda on Dialogue among Civilizations, UN Alliance of Civilizations, Club de Madrid’s Global Forum on Leadership and Shared Societies, and UNESCO.
The conference is the fifth in a series of dialogues, the culmination of a two-year collaborative effort between the Oslo Center for Peace and Human Rights and the Foundation for Dialogue among Civilizations, in collaboration with the Club de Madrid. All five events were co-chaired by former President of Iran, Seyed Mohammad Khatami, and the former Prime Minister of Norway, Club of Madrid Board member, and Oslo Center President Kjell Magne Bondevik. President Robinson led a group of Club of Madrid members – all former heads of State and Government– which included Sadig al-Mahdi (Sudan), Lionel Jospin (France), Chandrika Kumaratunga (Sri Lanka), Zlatko Lagumdzija (Bosnia-Herzegovina), Romano Prodi (Italy) and Jorge Sampaio (Portugal) – who is also the UN High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations. Former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, an Honorary Member of the Club of Madrid , former President of Switzerland, Joseph Deiss, and Bishop John Chane (Bishop of Washington) also spoke to the conference.
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The Geneva-based Foundation for Dialogue Among Civilisations is an international foundation established in 2007 to promote the institution of regular dialogue between the world’s peoples, cultures, civilisations and religions in order to promote peace, justice and tolerance.
The Oslo Center for Peace and Human Rights is an independent, not-for-profit foundation established in 2006. Its mission is Peace and Human Rights, with activities directed towards the government level, through contacts and dialogue with leaders in both public and private sector.
The Club of Madrid is an independent organization dedicated to strengthening leadership for democratic development around the world by drawing on the unique experience and resources of its Members – 70 democratic current and former heads of state and government from 50 countries.
For more information, contact:
Abdolreza Khalili, Foundation for Dialogue Among Civilizations: +41.22.310.6610
Oistein Mjaerum, Oslo Center for Peace and Human Rights: +47.2313.6671
Victor Arango, Club of Madrid: +34 915.906.701
