Ambassador Mussie Hailu, Regional Director of URI Africa, attended the 11th annual session of the World Public Forum’s “Dialogue of Civilization” in Rhodes, Greece October 2-6.
“I was invited by the executive board of the forum, which gave me an opportunity to represent URI,” said Ambassador Hailu. “I look forward to establishing a future working partnership between the World Public Forum and URI.”
The main goals of the Forum are to unite the efforts of the global community to protect the spiritual and cultural values of humankind and to create a space for constructive dialogue. The work of the Forum is aimed at defining, developing, and promoting dialogue, as well as introducing the spirit of cooperation and understanding into everyday life.
The World Public Forum’s “Dialogue of Civilization” is a consultative body that brings together various international and national non-governmental organizations in a single network, as well as representatives of public and state institutions, civil society organizations and faith-based groups, academics, representatives of cultural, spiritual, business, and media spheres from different countries, members of diverse civilizations and cultural traditions, and individuals who share the principles of openness mutual respect which form the basis of the contemporary dialogue of civilizations.
Implementation of the “Dialogue of Civilizations” program is closely connected with inter-confessional dialogue that brings together representatives of world religions to face the global challenges of extremism and terrorism.
The history of the World Public Forum dates back to 2002, when civil society representatives from Russia, India, and Greece organized the International Program “Dialogue of Civilization.”
World Public Forum’s “ Dialogue of Civilization” has become a practical realization of the United Nations General assembly`s resolution on a “Global Agenda for Dialogue among Civilizations,” accepted on November 9th, 2001, on the initiative of former President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Mohammad Khatami.
The first annual session of the Forum took place in September 2003 on the Greek Island of Rhodes. It confirmed the necessity for a broad international discussion devoted to reaching mutual understanding among representatives of different civilizations, cultures and religions. It has been held annually ever since.
The Golden Rule is the road map for peaceful co-existence among different civilizations, cultures, traditions, religions and faith groups.
