General Assembly Session 56 meeting 41

Mr. Sun Joun-yung (Republic of Korea)

Allow me to begin by expressing my delegation's appreciation to the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran for preparing the draft resolution entitled "Global agenda for dialogue among civilizations" (A/56/L.3). I would also like to thank the Secretary-General for preparing a succinct yet informative report, and his Personal Representative for the United Nations Year of Dialogue among Civilizations, Mr. Giandomenico Picco, for his tireless efforts to promote the spirit of dialogue among civilizations. In particular, we commend him for launching yesterday the book entitled Crossing the Divide: Dialogue among Civilizations, the fruits of a two-year collaborative effort undertaken by 18 members of the Group of Eminent Persons.

Last year we ushered in the new century with great confidence and high expectations for the years to come. This optimism derived from the anticipation that, with the end of the cold war, barriers among nations would erode and economic prosperity would spread around the globe, aided by the information technology revolution and the onset of globalization.

The reality, however, is that the benefits of globalization and the information revolution have been unevenly distributed throughout the world. In addition, thanks to rapid advances in telecommunications technology, different civilizations now interface more frequently than ever before, but this generally occurs in an asymmetrical manner. Such developments have inevitably produced side-effects, which may shed more light on the economic disparities and diverse perspectives that exist among various regions belonging to different civilizations.

Rather than allow the information technology revolution and globalization to drive a wedge between civilizations, the international community should take advantage of their potential to enhance contact among diverse groups. To do so, we should devise a normative framework that would foster the spirit of tolerance and understanding through expanded contact among people.

In this context, the Government of the Republic of Korea appreciates all the initiatives taken by the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran since 1998. We believe it would be a very welcome and fitting step to adopt the draft resolution on the Global Agenda for Dialogue among Civilizations during the very year the United Nations has designated for such dialogue.

Looking back upon a succession of recent conflicts, it becomes evident that many conflicts can be attributed to a lack of communication and consequent misunderstandings between different groups, be they national, ethnic or religious. However, we need to beware of those who exploit such differences and diversity for political purposes, particularly those who espouse hatred under the guise of safeguarding civilization. Those are the people who draw fault lines between civilizations. To prevent such fault lines from becoming more deeply inscribed, dialogue among civilizations should be more vigorously encouraged in the future.

In conducting such dialogues, no one can deny that a spirit of tolerance and an acceptance of diversity are essential. Unless guided by the spirit of tolerance, increased contact among people in the era of globalization might arouse fear of those who are different. If left unchecked, such fear can turn into hatred. In this regard, dialogue among civilizations has become all the more important in the wake of the terrorist attacks of 11 September.

As indicated in the preambular part of the Global Agenda, we should not lose sight of the fact that interaction among civilizations has enriched humanity throughout history. In fact, rich diversity among the world's civilizations can and should be an asset and a stimulus to mutual development, rather than a source of conflict.

Although an acceptance of diversity and a spirit of tolerance are essential ingredients in any dialogue among civilizations, we cannot deny the existence of certain universal values. These universal values are the embodiment of the collective wisdom, insights and experiences emanating from different civilizations over the course of humankind's long history. In some sense, they provide fertile soil in which diverse seeds from different civilizations can together be planted and encouraged to flourish. At the same time, my delegation would like to stress that dialogue does not mean appeasement of the arrogance of power or of the blind courage of ignorance. Rather, dialogue should be based on the fundamental principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations.

In this context, my delegation believes that the United Nations serves as a unique forum where a broad array of civilizations, represented by Member States, can pursue dialogue, accepting diversity as well as universal values. We appreciate the efforts that the United Nations system, including the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), has made so far to foster dialogue among civilizations. Furthermore, we believe that long-term projects promoting dialogue and tolerance in the fields of education and culture should be further encouraged throughout the United Nations system. While we recognize that the United Nations Year of Dialogue among Civilizations will come to an end in less than two months, we hope that the momentum gained throughout the Year will be sustained and revitalized in the years to come.

Having consecutively inherited Buddhist and Confucian civilizations in the past, and more recently elements of a Christian culture, the Korean people consider themselves well equipped to engage in a dialogue among civilizations on the basis of their enriched cultural and spiritual heritage. Indeed, the Korean Government held a successful seminar on dialogue among civilizations in Seoul last year, in cooperation with UNESCO.

The Republic of Korea looks forward to making more constructive contributions to the cause of dialogue among civilizations in the years to come.

Mr. Moushoutas (Cyprus)

The Charter of the United Nations considers dialogue to be a means of harmonizing international relations and resolving differences among States. It places dialogue at the highest peak of human endeavours, for the promotion of peace and the solution of international problems. The item under consideration aims at these lofty goals, as well as at strengthening the bonds within and among civilizations, emphasizing the common destiny of humankind. Promoting cooperation, interchange, tolerance and understanding among peoples, and coexistence among countries, cultures and religions, is not only a good policy; it is also an imperative choice for survival.

Our societies and our cultures are not, and cannot be, isolated entities. A local crisis in a place far removed from our borders or shores unfailingly and immediately affects us all. We are part, it seems, of the same global village, where our actions or omissions, our deeds or misdeeds, are affecting everyday life everywhere. And here lies the contradiction of our present day: instead of drawing closer to each other in this interdependent world, we continue to experience much conflict and human misery from segregation, separation and divisions.

The twentieth century has been marked more by rivalry than by cooperation. It has been rightly observed that the majority of conflicts in which United Nations peacekeeping operations take place are based on ethnic, tribal or religious grounds. Separatism, especially militant separatism, forms one of the root causes of conflicts in our world. As the Personal Representative of the Secretary-General for the Year of Dialogue among Civilizations has said,

"Just as, during the 1990s, many who went to war used the threat of diversity as a justification for conflict, perhaps in the future those who seek peace will use the spirit of dialogue among civilizations as a means to move forward." (A/54/546, annex, para. 14)

Common sense dictates that the calamities we have brought upon ourselves should be avoided, and that peace and cooperation should replace confrontation and conflict. To achieve that goal we must institutionalize dialogue among peoples of different cultures and civilizations. As the Secretary-General notes,

"It is the perception of diversity as a threat that is at the very origin of war." (A/55/492, para. 4)

The many positive and mutually beneficial interactions among civilizations and the mutual enrichment of civilizations must be cultivated and form the basis of educating the young, especially children. We are all part of creation, linked by common destiny and facing a challenging future. It is time for the beauty of integration and peaceful coexistence through diversity to be promoted and further addressed. Tendencies to portray specific cultures as threats to peace must be rooted out of our teaching and schoolbooks.

In this United Nations Year of Dialogue among Civilizations, we celebrate the unity and diversity of mankind. We agree that our survival ultimately depends on our success to promote tolerance as the accepted mode of behaviour, despite the obstacles of intolerance and aggression. Again, let us not forget Mr. Picco's words:

"History does not kill. Religion does not rape women, the purity of blood does not destroy buildings ... Only individuals do those things."

It is through dialogue that my Government is committed to solve the problem of Cyprus. We strive for a peaceful solution through which the two communities on the island may live in peace and harmony, as they did for centuries in the past without occupation troops and barbed wire.

It is with those thoughts in mind that we have again co-sponsored draft resolution A/56/L.3, which was pioneered by the Islamic Republic of Iran and also co-sponsored by a great number of Member States representing every regional group. It contains all the elements for promoting dialogue among different civilizations. It underlines the importance of inclusion and the enhancement of mutual understanding and provides a programme of action for cultural, educational and social events by Governments, regional groups and non-governmental organizations.

In that regard, we commend the initiative of the visionary and wise President of Iran, Mr. Mohammad Khatami. To the members of the Permanent Mission of Iran to the United Nations, which undertook the heavy task of promoting this lofty cause within the United Nations, we extend our deep appreciation, while we welcome among us the Group of Eminent Persons.

Mr. Kerim (The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia)

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