I am convinced that getting to know the cultures of others, listening to what they have to say, dispels hatred, ignorance and mistrust and helps to build peace. We must learn to recognize what each culture owes to all other cultures. We know that civilizations endlessly change as they redefine themselves in the light of new surroundings. Many nations and peoples nurse long-standing memories of historic grievances and cultural slights. Only dialogue stands a chance of resolving them and not law or our aggressive behaviour.
Dialogue alone can lead to long-term understanding, reconciliation and peace.
Dialogue alone brings these truly into the open where they may be assessed with true intellectual honesty and deep concern for one another's merits. Cultural dialogue thus helps to sow the seeds of peace. The dialogue it fosters is predicated upon universal acceptance and observance of basic human rights as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of 1948 to which all members of the Organization are committed. Within this broad moral framework each culture knows that its voice is heard, weighed and respected. Cultural tolerance and open-mindedness are called for in order to learn from others.