Resolutions 3-Day international conference on Inter-Civilisational Dialogue IN A GLOBALISING WORLD

An international conference on “Inter-Civilisational Dialogue in a Globalising World” organised in New Delhi under the auspices of the Institute of Objective Studies, New Delhi on 8-10 April, 2005 sought to highlight the imperative of inter-religious, inter-cultural and inter-civilisational dialogue and cooperation in the context of a rapidly globalising world. It noted that the process of globalising has brought into relief the scale and ramifications of political, social and ethnic conflicts across the world and their horrifying consequences. At the same time, globalisation has also afforded, thanks to the incredible advances in information and communication technologies, enormous opportunities and prospects for interaction, exchange and cooperation  among different peoples, cultures and civilisations.

In the light of the presentations made at the conference and the deliberations and discussions that followed, the following resolutions were approved by the delegates and participants.

       1.         There is an urgent need to harness the creative potential and energies of religious traditions in the service of global peace and harmonious coexistence among different peoples, religious communities and ethnic groups. An important  prerequisite of inter-civilisational dialogue is creating and sustaining an atmosphere  of mutual trust, compassion and humanism.

       2.         Asian religious and cultural traditions have made an enormous contribution to inter-religious tolerance, peaceful coexistence and cultural synthesis. This continuing legacy has immense relevance and salience for inter-cultural and inter-civilisational dialogue, which needs to be projected and highlighted in the contemporary world.

       3.         In order to broaden the base of inter-cultural understanding and dialogue and to disseminate the message of inter-cultural and inter-religious harmony and amity among large sections of the society, there should be the widest possible cooperation and collaboration among institutions and agencies that are engaged in promoting inter-cultural understanding at different levels and in different parts of the world. This has become necessary in the context of the growing importance of the institutions of civil society.

       4.         Modern information and communication technologies should be harnessed for disseminating the message of inter-cultural understanding and harmonious coexistence and for networking with like-minded individuals, institutions and NGOs. It will be fruitful to start a website for the purpose of fostering intercultural, inter-religious and inter-civilisational dialogue and reconciliation.

       5.         The Conference recommends the setting up of a Centre for Inter-Cultural Dialogue and Reconciliation at New Delhi, which will serve as a nodal agency for addressing the concerns articulated at the conference.