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Alianza de Civilizaciones - Medeniyetler İttifakı
Alliance of Civilizations - Alliance des Civilisations

United Nations Alliance of Civilizations
www.unaoc.org

Alliance of Civilizations: UN Sponsored Advisory Group 2006

Turkey Declares 2006 Latin American Year

Dispute with Muslims Over Caricatures Depicting Prophet Muhammad
Hz. Muhammed'in Karikatürleri
Caricaturas del Profeta Mahoma
Caricatures du Prophète Mahometa


JANUARY 2006 News  ENGLISH Part 1  ENGLISH Part 2 (Cartoon Crisis)
January 2006 News  TURKISH  (TÜRKÇE)
January 2006 News  SPANISH  (ESPAÑOL)
January 2006 News  FRENCH  (FRANÇAIS)

FEBRUARY 2006 UPDATE
MARCH 2006 UPDATE
APRIL 2006 UPDATE

MAY 2006 UPDATE
JUNE 2006 UPDATE (Pew Poll)
JULY 2006 UPDATE (MidEast War-Israeli Attacks)
AUGUST 2006 UPDATE (International Crisis)
SEPTEMBER 2006 UPDATE (UN/Turkish Troop Deployment)
SEPTEMBER 2006 CRISIS UPDATE (1) (Pope - Islamic World Crisis)
SEPTEMBER 2006 CRISIS UPDATE (2) (Pope - Islamic World Crisis)
SEPTEMBER 2006 CRISIS UPDATE (3) (Pope - Islamic World Crisis)
OCTOBER 2006 UPDATE (UN General Assembly)
NOVEMBER 2006 UPDATE (Istanbul)
DECEMBER 2006 UPDATE PART 1
DECEMBER 2006 UPDATE PART 2

TURKEY & SPAIN CALL FOR RESPECT AS PROTESTS GROW
Zapatero y Erdogan hacen un llamamiento conjunto al "respeto y la calma"
Erdoğan ile Zapatero, gazetede ortaklaşa yayınladıkları açık mektupta karikatürleri kınadı
Initiative Turco Espagnole

English    Türkçe    Español    Français

Global Leaders Dialogue with Muslims

Medeniyetler İttifakı (Türkçe)

Spain to Create Muslim & Arab World International Research Institute

Statement attributable to the Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General
on the Alliance of Civilizations

(New York, 14 July 2005)   

         STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE SPANISH GOVERNMENT, MR. JOSE LUIS RODRIGUEZ ZAPATERO, TO THE GENERAL DEBATE OF THE 59TH PERIOD OF SESSIONS OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY
(New York, 21 September 2004)

DISCURSO DEL PRESIDENTE DEL GOBIERNO, DON JOSÉ LUIS RODRÍGUEZ ZAPATERO,
ANTE LA 59 ASAMBLEA GENERAL DE LA ORGANIZACIÓN DE LAS NACIONES UNIDAS  

(New York, 21 September 2004)   

El País - Alianza de Civilizaciones  (Español)
(El País, 2005)

Alliance des civilisations & Euromed contre le terrorisme  (Français)
(Novembre 2005)

SPAIN AND TURKEY TO BRIDGE DIVIDE
AS “ALLIANCE OF CIVILIZATIONS” LAUNCHED

(Turkish Daily News, November 22-23, 2005)

Euro-Mediterranean Code of Conduct on Fighting Terrorism
(Summit 27-28 November 2005)

Euro-Med Summit Adopts Anti-Terror Code
(Summit 27-28 November 2005)

Euro-Mediterranean 5 Year Work Program
(Summit 27-28 November 2005)

Barcelona Process: Euro-Mediterranean Partnership Reaches Agreement
(Barcelona, November 28, 2005)

Alliance of Civilizations & Euro-Mediterranean Partnership
(Mallorca - Barcelona, November 2005)

Spain sets example by calling for an Alliance of Civilizations
(Turkish Daily News, July 12, 2005)

Euro-Mediterranean Summit & Alliance of Civilizations
(Turkish Daily News, November 24, 2005)

Real Instituto Elcano - Barcelona Process
(November 30, 2005)


SECRETARY-GENERAL APPOINTS TOMAS MASTNAK DIRECTOR
OF OFFICE FOR ALLIANCE FOR CIVILIZATIONS


     UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan has named Tomas Mastnak as the Director of the Office of the Alliance for Civilizations.  He will take office towards the end of December.  Shamil Idriss has also been named Deputy Director of the Office and is officer-in-charge.

     Professor Tomas Mastnak, a Slovenian national, is Director of Research at the Institute for Philosophy at the Scientific Research Centre of the Slovene Academy of Sciences and Arts.  After finishing his studies at the University of Ljubljana, he conducted his post-doctoral research at Edinburgh University, Cambridge University, and the Johns Hopkins University.  He has been a research fellow at the European University Institute, Oxford University, American University of Cairo, Harvard University, and New York University.

     His most recent book is Crusading Peace:  Christendom, the Muslim World, Western Political Order ( Berkeley and Los Angeles: University of California Press, 2002; Arabic translation, Cairo: al-Majlis al-A‘lá lil-Thaqafah, 2004).  He is the author of a wide range of books and articles in the history of political thought and political theory.  In the past 15 years, his main area of research has been the emergence and articulation of conflictual relations between East and West, Christendom and the Muslim world, and between Europe and the non-European world.

* * * * *

International Day of Peace
21 September


The observance of the 25th annual "International Day of Peace" comes on September 21 2006
as the United Nations is engaged in ever-more efforts to bring peace and security to people around the world.

The Day was established in 1981 by A/RES/36/67 [PDF, 112K] of the United Nations General Assembly to coincide with its opening session every September. The General Assembly in 2001 voted unanimously to fix observance of the Day on 21 September as a day of non-violence and ceasefire by A/RES/55/282 [PDF, 91K].

The United Nations works in a wide cross-section of areas to address the root causes of conflict, including in poverty reduction, HIV/AIDS prevention, humanitarian assistance, promotion of human rights, development of international agreements and legal instruments, peace operations, electoral assistance, support for democratization, preventive diplomacy and economic and social development.

On 21 September, the Day will be observed at UN Headquarters with the traditional ceremony in which Secretary-General Kofi Annan will ring the Peace Bell for the last time during his term in office. Numerous commemorative events and activities are planned around the world by United Nations offices, governmental and non-governmental agencies, and civil society and religious groups to promote the ideals of peace and non-violence.

This year, the UN will use the Day to note the many ways it works for peace and to encourage individuals, groups and communities around the world to contemplate and communicate thoughts and activities on how to achieve peace.

For further information, please contact the Peace and Security Section, Strategic Communications Division, Department of Public Information. Tel: 1 (212) 963- 1742; Fax: 1 (212) 963-9737. Prepared by the UN Web Services Section.

Please take a minute to look the postcard available on this website and tell us how you think you can contribute to the attainment of peace.  www.un.org/events/peaceday/2006/

* * * * *

International Day of Tolerance
November 16

Secretary-General Kofi Annan marked the International Day of Tolerance on November 16, 2005 by calling for greater understanding and respect throughout the world. "In a world of intense economic competition, shifting populations and shrinking distances, the pressures of living together with people of different cultures and different beliefs from one's own are very real," Annan said.

In 1996, the General Assembly invited Member States to observe the International Day for Tolerance on 16 November, with activities directed towards both educational establishments and the wider public (resolution 51/95 of 12 December). This action came in the wake of the United Nations Year for Tolerance, 1995, proclaimed by the Assembly in 1993 (resolution 48/126). The Year had been declared on the initiative of the General Conference of UNESCO; on 16 November 1995, the UNESCO member States had adopted the Declaration of Principles on Tolerance and Follow-up Plan of Action for the Year. 

The 2005 World Summit Outcome document (A/RES/60/1), outlines the commitment of Heads of State and Government to advance human welfare, freedom and progress everywhere, as well as to encourage tolerance, respect, dialogue and cooperation among different cultures, civilizations.

Declaration of Principles on Tolerance

Proclaimed and signed by the Member States of UNESCO on 16 November 1995

Click for SPANISH / ESPAÑOL or for  FRENCH / FRANÇAIS


    Preamble
    Article 1 - Meaning of tolerance
    Article 2 - State level
    Article 3 - Social dimensions
    Article 4 - Education
    Article 5 - Commitment to action
    Article 6 - International Day for Tolerance


The Member States of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, meeting in Paris at the twenty-eighth session of the General Conference, from 25 October to 16 November 1995,

Preamble

Bearing in mind that the United Nations Charter states: 'We, the peoples of the United Nations determined to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, ... to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, ... and for these ends to practise tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbours',

Recalling that the Preamble to the Constitution of UNESCO, adopted on 16 November 1945, states that 'peace, if it is not to fail, must be founded on the intellectual and moral solidarity of mankind',

Recalling also that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights affirms that 'Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion' (Article 18), 'of opinion and expression' (Article 19), and that education 'should promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups' (Article 26),

Noting relevant international instruments including:

  • the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,
  • the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights,
  • the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination,
  • the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide,
  • the Convention on the Rights of the Child,
  • the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol and regional instruments,
  • the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women,
  • the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment,
  • the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance Based on Religion or Belief,
  • the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities,
  • the Declaration on Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism,
  • the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action of the World Conference on Human Rights,
  • the Copenhagen Declaration and Programme of Action adopted by the World Summit for Social Development,
  • the UNESCO Declaration on Race and Racial Prejudice,
  • the UNESCO Convention and Recommendation against Discrimination in Education,

Bearing in mind the objectives of the Third Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination, the World Decade for Human Rights Education, and the International Decade of the World's Indigenous People,

Taking into consideration the recommendations of regional conferences organized in the framework of the United Nations Year for Tolerance in accordance with UNESCO General Conference 27 C/Resolution 5.14, as well as the conclusions and recommendations of other conferences and meetings organized by Member States within the programme of the United Nations Year for Tolerance,

Alarmed by the current rise in acts of intolerance, violence, terrorism, xenophobia, aggressive nationalism, racism, anti-Semitism, exclusion, marginalization and discrimination directed against national, ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities, refugees, migrant workers, immigrants and vulnerable groups within societies, as well as acts of violence and intimidation committed against individuals exercising their freedom of opinion and expression - all of which threaten the consolidation of peace and democracy, both nationally and internationally, and are obstacles to development,

Emphasizing the responsibilities of Member States to develop and encourage respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, without distinction as to race, gender, language, national origin, religion or disability, and to combat intolerance,

Adopt and solemnly proclaim this Declaration of Principles on Tolerance

Resolving to take all positive measures necessary to promote tolerance in our societies, because tolerance is not only a cherished principle, but also a necessity for peace and for the economic and social advancement of all peoples,

We declare the following:

Article 1 - Meaning of tolerance

1.1 Tolerance is respect, acceptance and appreciation of the rich diversity of our world's cultures, our forms of expression and ways of being human. It is fostered by knowledge, openness, communication, and freedom of thought, conscience and belief. Tolerance is harmony in difference. It is not only a moral duty, it is also a political and legal requirement. Tolerance, the virtue that makes peace possible, contributes to the replacement of the culture of war by a culture of peace.

1.2 Tolerance is not concession, condescension or indulgence. Tolerance is, above all, an active attitude prompted by recognition of the universal human rights and fundamental freedoms of others. In no circumstance can it be used to justify infringements of these fundamental values. Tolerance is to be exercised by individuals, groups and States.

1.3 Tolerance is the responsibility that upholds human rights, pluralism (including cultural pluralism), democracy and the rule of law. It involves the rejection of dogmatism and absolutism and affirms the standards set out in international human rights instruments.

1.4 Consistent with respect for human rights, the practice of tolerance does not mean toleration of social injustice or the abandonment or weakening of one's convictions. It means that one is free to adhere to one's own convictions and accepts that others adhere to theirs. It means accepting the fact that human beings, naturally diverse in their appearance, situation, speech, behaviour and values, have the right to live in peace and to be as they are. It also means that one's views are not to be imposed on others.

Article 2 - State level

2.1 Tolerance at the State level requires just and impartial legislation, law enforcement and judicial and administrative process. It also requires that economic and social opportunities be made available to each person without any discrimination. Exclusion and marginalization can lead to frustration, hostility and fanaticism.

2.2 In order to achieve a more tolerant society, States should ratify existing international human rights conventions, and draft new legislation where necessary to ensure equality of treatment and of opportunity for all groups and individuals in society.

2.3 It is essential for international harmony that individuals, communities and nations accept and respect the multicultural character of the human family. Without tolerance there can be no peace, and without peace there can be no development or democracy.

2.4 Intolerance may take the form of marginalization of vulnerable groups and their exclusion from social and political participation, as well as violence and discrimination against them. As confirmed in the Declaration on Race and Racial Prejudice, 'All individuals and groups have the right to be different' (Article 1.2).

Article 3 - Social dimensions

3.1 In the modern world, tolerance is more essential than ever before. It is an age marked by the globalization of the economy and by rapidly increasing mobility, communication, integration and interdependence, large-scale migrations and displacement of populations, urbanization and changing social patterns. Since every part of the world is characterized by diversity, escalating intolerance and strife potentially menaces every region. It is not confined to any country, but is a global threat.

3.2 Tolerance is necessary between individuals and at the family and community levels. Tolerance promotion and the shaping of attitudes of openness, mutual listening and solidarity should take place in schools and universities and through non-formal education, at home and in the workplace. The communication media are in a position to play a constructive role in facilitating free and open dialogue and discussion, disseminating the values of tolerance, and highlighting the dangers of indifference towards the rise in intolerant groups and ideologies.

3.3 As affirmed by the UNESCO Declaration on Race and Racial Prejudice, measures must be taken to ensure equality in dignity and rights for individuals and groups wherever necessary. In this respect, particular attention should be paid to vulnerable groups which are socially or economically disadvantaged so as to afford them the protection of the laws and social measures in force, in particular with regard to housing, employment and health, to respect the authenticity of their culture and values, and to facilitate their social and occupational advancement and integration, especially through education.

3.4 Appropriate scientific studies and networking should be undertaken to co-ordinate the international community's response to this global challenge, including analysis by the social sciences of root causes and effective countermeasures, as well as research and monitoring in support of policy-making and standard-setting action by Member States.

Article 4 - Education

4.1 Education is the most effective means of preventing intolerance. The first step in tolerance education is to teach people what their shared rights and freedoms are, so that they may be respected, and to promote the will to protect those of others.

4.2 Education for tolerance should be considered an urgent imperative; that is why it is necessary to promote systematic and rational tolerance teaching methods that will address the cultural, social, economic, political and religious sources of intolerance - major roots of violence and exclusion. Education policies and programmes should contribute to development of understanding, solidarity and tolerance among individuals as well as among ethnic, social, cultural, religious and linguistic groups and nations.

4.3 Education for tolerance should aim at countering influences that lead to fear and exclusion of others, and should help young people to develop capacities for independent judgement, critical thinking and ethical reasoning.

4.4 We pledge to support and implement programmes of social science research and education for tolerance, human rights and non-violence. This means devoting special attention to improving teacher training, curricula, the content of textbooks and lessons, and other educational materials including new educational technologies, with a view to educating caring and responsible citizens open to other cultures, able to appreciate the value of freedom, respectful of human dignity and differences, and able to prevent conflicts or resolve them by non-violent means.

Article 5 - Commitment to action

We commit ourselves to promoting tolerance and non-violence through programmes and institutions in the fields of education, science, culture and communication.

Article 6 - International Day for Tolerance

In order to generate public awareness, emphasize the dangers of intolerance and react with renewed commitment and action in support of tolerance promotion and education, we solemnly proclaim 16 November the annual International Day for Tolerance

www.unesco.org/tolerance/declaeng.htm


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