However, it is important to distinguish between causes and effects, or between ends and means. But I do consider it important to be aware that encounters between different people and their communities bring both threats and opportunities. For that reason it is rewarding to study conflicts and their causes. Religions, cultural differences or more broadly civilisations certainly have their significance, but they ought not be mystified. For one things, most of the problems and conflicts that plague the globe are still clearly material in character.
Sustainable development is of crucial importance in preventing and resolving conflicts.
To promote it we need dialogue and collective efforts. We know how to eliminate these problems. Forgiving the debts of the poorest countries and programmes to boost development have a key role in combination with each other. It is essential to increase the amount of development aid and to focus it more effectively. Aid could be made conditional in ways that benefit the population, such as demanding health care and education or cooperating in the development of good governance.