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Prince El Hassan Encourages Greater 'Cultural Communication' within the Middle East
(Amman – Majlis El-Hassan)
HRH Prince El Hassan bin Talal of Jordan, co-founder with Professor Ihsan Doğramaci, of the Parliament of Cultures, addressed the conference of the Parliament of Cultures on Commonalities between Cultures on Wednesday (October 28, 2009) in Ankara, Turkey.
In his speech, HRH encouraged the promotion of common awareness and understanding "to humanise the other and create a better understanding of our fears and concerns".
HRH said that it is important to focus on the commonalities between cultures in order to fight discrimination in all its forms, and to establish (in the region) a process of recovery similar to the Helsinki Process.
HRH pointed out that states should realize the responsibility to protect their people and focus on reconciliation and reconstruction during times of crisis. He also noted that fruitful dialogue should be encouraged between ordinary people, rather than limited only to the elites.
HRH also underlined the need to develop awareness of regional and global commons in order to stop the fragmentation of states. He added that "moral authority in the holy places must be restored in order to elevate religion above politics, so that we can lay a basis for virtuous realities which can help humanity to face its crises".
"Culture is a seed that needs to be tended, nurtured and cared for. It is only through respect for human life, justice, tolerance and honesty, that we will be able to rid the world of some of its many crises. Such a process should be based on a clear collective position regarding the key issues in the region, such as civil liberties, the sanctity of human life, human security and so forth," HRH said.
HRH also added that we must work towards 'a law for peace' in order to bridge the gap in human dignity and to look at the hopes and aspirations of peoples.
Professor Ihsan Doğramaci opened the conference stressing the important role of intercultural communication between people. He pointed out the main themes of the Parliament of Cultures on which we need to focus in order to activate its future work.
Also participating in the conference, in Ankara and via video-conference, were a number of international thinkers, scholars and researchers.
While in Turkey, HRH also met with the Turkish President, Abdullah Gül.
While in Turkey, HRH also met with the Turkish President, Abdullah Gül.
Photos by: Boghos Darakjian
(Amman, 31 October 2009)
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