Doha Forum Report
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THE FOURTH GLOBAL UN ALLIANCE OF CIVILIZatIONS FORUM DOHA | DECEMBER 11-13, 2011 THE FOURTH ALLIANCE OF CIVILIZATIONS FORUM | DOHA 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgments .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 4 Foreword .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 6 Overview .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 8 Outcomes: Announcements and Proposals for New Initiatives ......................................................................................................... 14 Highlights and Recommendations ........................................................................................................................................................................ 18 Opening Session ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 19 Day 1- How does cultural diversity matter to development? ....................................................................................................... 21 Day 2- Tolerance and trust, as key conditions for development and peace ........................................................................ 31 Day 3- New Strategies for Intercultural Dialogue, Understanding and Cooperation................................................... 43 Closing session ........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 50 Group of Friends - Ministerial Meeting .......................................................................................................................................................... 52 PUBLISHED BY: UN Alliance of Civilizations ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 405 Lexington Avenue, 5th Floor Youth at the Doha Forum 60 New York, NY 10174 USA The Intercultural Innovation Award ..................................................................................................................................................................... 64 www.unaoc.org Side event: The Nyon Process session ............................................................................................................................................................... 66 DESIGN AND LAYOUT: Sangmi Lim The Doh’Art Intercultural Festival ....................................................................................................................................................................... 70 PHOTOS: List of Participants ............................................................................................................................................. 72 UNAOC & Qatar Committee of the AoC / Agence Publics List of Organizors ............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 87 DISCLAIMER: This report seeks to capture key elements of the proceedings and discussion during the Fourth Global UN Alliance of Civilizations Forum. It does not purport to be a transcript and is necessarily selective. It should not be taken as a complete or authoritative record of any individual statement or intervention, nor expressing the views of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations. Participants should be consulted directly for an authoritative statement of their views. Copyright © 2012 UN Alliance of Civilizations 2 THE FOURTH ALLIANCE OF CIVILIZATIONS FORUM | DOHA THE FOURTH ALLIANCE OF CIVILIZATIONS FORUM | DOHA 1 2 THE FOURTH ALLIANCE OF CIVILIZATIONS FORUM | DOHA THE FOURTH ALLIANCE OF CIVILIZATIONS FORUM | DOHA 3 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I should like to start this Foreword by expressing my heart- As this report shows, the Doha Forum was about highlighting felt thanks to those who made the 4th Annual Forum of the the social justice agenda that was lost when the Millennium Alliance of Civilizations, held in Doha on Dec. 11-13 pos- Declaration was translated into the eight MDGs. It was sible: to the State of Qatar for hosting our reunion and for about highlighting the role of cultural diversity, culture and the generous hospitality extended to its participants; to Her intercultural dialogue to achieve growth and prosperity, to Highness Sheikha Mozah for her strong vision about the counter discrimination and exclusion and build tolerance and role of the Alliance of Civilizations in building consensus solidarity among citizens. across divides, bolstering development and building a more This is a most timely topic, in particular when we look peaceful world; to Mr. Ban Ki-moon, the United Nations around and see the huge ongoing social transformations in Secretary General for making time to spend with us and this region. showing his continuous commitment to and his permanent support for the Alliance; and indeed to everyone from all What is at stake is a new social contract that brings together over the world – representatives of governments and inter- active citizens, energetic civil society organizations, including national organizations, civil society, private sector and the the private sector, and responsive States – not only at national huge number of young people – who made the journey to level, but also at the global level. What we are witnessing in Qatar to attend the Forum. the Arab world is that democracy is the only option for bringing stability, security and tolerance to the region. But I should like to thank you all for your commitment, deter- greater solidarity and a genuine partnership of equals at mination and enthusiasm. After all, the Alliance of global level is also indispensable. Diverse societies do not Civilizations is, in fact, all of you. The Alliance relies on have to be divided societies. Cultural and religious differences your strength. It is at your service. You are the people of the do not produce exclusion unless they are hardened by dis- Alliance, you are the Alliance. crimination; they do not generate conflict unless prejudices When more than one year ago I held initial consultations and stereotypes perpetuate marginalization. with Her Highness about this Forum, we very quickly The Alliance is aimed at addressing these challenges. Ten reached an agreement on shaping it at the intersection of the years after 9/11, the Alliance proclaims the value of diversity, Millennium Development Goals’ (MDGs) Agenda and the the role of dialogue and consensus and the invaluable sense of Alliance’s mission and objectives. As is well known, the human dignity. It stands for the fourth pillar of sustainable MDGs and the corresponding targets and indicators stand development. for the values and principles of the Millennium Declaration signed at the turn of this century by 189 world leaders. The 4th Forum of the Alliance was the “D Forum”: D for diversity, dialogue, development, human dignity and democ- This milestone Declaration is based on a set of fundamental racy; and D, of course, for Doha. values that include freedom, equality, tolerance and soli- darity. Together, these spell out the promise of a more just This Report helps to revisit the D driven Journey that we society in a world where the right to development would be accomplished in Qatar from Dec. 11-13. Furthermore, it a reality for everyone. should help to open up the path from Doha to Vienna, our next stop. I wish the reader inspiring reading! President Jorge Sampaio High Representative for the UN Alliance of Civilizations Lisbon/ New York March 2012 4 THE FOURTH ALLIANCE OF CIVILIZATIONS FORUM | DOHA THE FOURTH ALLIANCE OF CIVILIZATIONS FORUM | DOHA 5 FOREWORD From 11 to 13 December, 2011, Qatar had the pleasure to understanding and cooperation among different cultures and host the 4th United Nations Alliance of Civilizations Forum civilizations. under the theme “Intercultural Dialogue to Boost Our meeting in Doha in December 2011 was very timely, Development”. occurring at a time of political and social change in the Arab Designed as a turning point for the UNAOC’s agenda, the world. People throughout our region have demanded and Doha Forum was held in the spirit of true partnership. Over fought for freedom, social justice, human rights and good 2,500 participants, including political and corporate leaders, governance. Discussions at the Doha Forum sent out a civil society, youth groups, faith communities, research cen- clarion call to remind the world that those rights can only be tres, foundations and journalists, came together to agree on secured when peoples have the wherewithal – material and joint actions to improve relations across cultures, combat human – to lead a fulfilling and useful life. prejudice and bring about lasting peace. Cultural diversity is a fact of life. It is