AT LEAST view the last few sentences of this.
Also, this was taken directly from the AoC site.
The Alliance of Civilizations is a United Nations Secretary-General initiative intended to galvanize collective action across diverse societies in order to combat extremism, overcome cultural and social barriers between mainly the Western and predominantly Muslim worlds, and to reduce the tensions and polarization between societies which differ in religious and cultural values.
The Alliance of Civilizations is expected to be voted into action by the end of 2009, and may initially be implemented in the Middle East in conjunction with the framework of the EU's European Neighborhood Policy.
Mutual suspicion, fear and misunderstanding between Islamic and Western societies has been increasing since the beginning of the new millennia. The heightened instability of coexistence between these groups of people with divergent backgrounds has led to exploitations by extremists throughout the world: the severest form of this being violent acts of terrorism. It has been the opionion of many political leaders that efforts should be made to reach a common ground between diverse ethnic and religious groups based on the tolerance, understanding, and respect of the fundamental set of values and beliefs of each group. In this way, and by the attempt to quell "extremism", a comprehensive coalition can be established to work toward a peaceful coexistence between diverse groups around the world, and thereby support international stability.
The final 2006 report of the HLG was structured in two parts. Part I presented an analysis of the global context and of the state of relations between Muslim and Western societies. It concluded with a set of general policy recommendations, indicating the HLG's belief that certain political steps are pre-requisites to any substantial and lasting improvement in relations between Muslim and Western societies.
Part II of the report reflected the HLG's view that tensions across cultures have spread beyond the political level into the hearts and minds of populations. To counter this trend, the Group presented recommendations in each of four thematic areas: Education, Youth, Migration, and Media. The Report concluded with outlined suggestions for the implementation of its recommendations.
A key issue regarded by the AoC is the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the resolution of which is considered paramount.
The report also recommends combating "exclusivism" and extremism. It defines exclusivism as, those who feed on exclusion and claim sole ownership of the truth". Thus, religious groups who assert one specific truth to the exclusion of other religious doctrines are considered undesirable by the AoC. Furthermore, the report identifies the primary global groups in this issue as the three monotheistic faiths.
Also, this was taken directly from the AoC site.
The Alliance of Civilizations is a United Nations Secretary-General initiative intended to galvanize collective action across diverse societies in order to combat extremism, overcome cultural and social barriers between mainly the Western and predominantly Muslim worlds, and to reduce the tensions and polarization between societies which differ in religious and cultural values.
The Alliance of Civilizations is expected to be voted into action by the end of 2009, and may initially be implemented in the Middle East in conjunction with the framework of the EU's European Neighborhood Policy.
Mutual suspicion, fear and misunderstanding between Islamic and Western societies has been increasing since the beginning of the new millennia. The heightened instability of coexistence between these groups of people with divergent backgrounds has led to exploitations by extremists throughout the world: the severest form of this being violent acts of terrorism. It has been the opionion of many political leaders that efforts should be made to reach a common ground between diverse ethnic and religious groups based on the tolerance, understanding, and respect of the fundamental set of values and beliefs of each group. In this way, and by the attempt to quell "extremism", a comprehensive coalition can be established to work toward a peaceful coexistence between diverse groups around the world, and thereby support international stability.
The final 2006 report of the HLG was structured in two parts. Part I presented an analysis of the global context and of the state of relations between Muslim and Western societies. It concluded with a set of general policy recommendations, indicating the HLG's belief that certain political steps are pre-requisites to any substantial and lasting improvement in relations between Muslim and Western societies.
Part II of the report reflected the HLG's view that tensions across cultures have spread beyond the political level into the hearts and minds of populations. To counter this trend, the Group presented recommendations in each of four thematic areas: Education, Youth, Migration, and Media. The Report concluded with outlined suggestions for the implementation of its recommendations.
A key issue regarded by the AoC is the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the resolution of which is considered paramount.
The report also recommends combating "exclusivism" and extremism. It defines exclusivism as, those who feed on exclusion and claim sole ownership of the truth". Thus, religious groups who assert one specific truth to the exclusion of other religious doctrines are considered undesirable by the AoC. Furthermore, the report identifies the primary global groups in this issue as the three monotheistic faiths.
