A Key Global Initiative: Islam, Media and the West
Tuesday, December 19th, 2006Background
In July 2005 The United Nations Secretary General H.E. Kofi Annan launched The Alliance of Civilizations under the Sponsorship of Spain and Turkey and convened a High Level Group (HLG) that was “intended to respond to the need for a committed effort by the international community — both at the institutional and civil society levels — to bridge divides and overcome prejudice, misconceptions and polarization”.
At the opening of the second meeting, hosted by Their Highness’s Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa and Sheikh Ahmad ibn Ali al-Thani, The Emirs of the State of Qatar and welcomed by His Highness Abdallah al-Thani, Prime Minister of Qatar, the Secretary General of the United Nations stated, “The passions aroused by the recent publication of insulting cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad, and the reaction to it, show only too clearly that such threats are real, and that the need for a committed effort by the international community is acute”.
Co-Chaired by Mr. Federico Mayor and Prof. Mehmet Aydin, the Alliance of Civilizations, in its mandate seeks:
* “To foster awareness in all societies that security is indivisible and is a vital need for all, and that global cooperation is an indispensable prerequisite for security, stability and development.”
* “To cultivate cooperation among current initiatives aimed at enabling those in the mainstream majority — who are overwhelmingly moderate and reject the views of extremists — to set the agenda.”
* “To establish partnerships that will help diverse societies to better understand their differences while emphasizing and acting on their commonalities.”
At the conclusion of the second meeting in Qatar, The Alliance of Civilizations sought, among others, to cooperate with and support similar initiatives aimed at addressing some of the greatest threats to Peace, Security, and Stability.
