UNAOC 6th Global Forum Concludes with View to Appreciate Diversity

by Aditya E.S. Wicaksono Nusa Dua, Bali (Antara) - The 6th Global Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) ended with a shared and common view among delegates and participants on the importance of respecting cultural diversity in a multidivergent civilization. "We have realized that economic development is essential for peace, which can only be achieved when the conditions for wealth creation exist in a country, when economic progress can be shared with the community, and when cultural diversity is respected," High representative of UNAOC Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser said on his closing speech at the Global Forum in Nusa Dua, Bali, here on Saturday. Al-Nasser underlined that humans stood on common values regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, culture, or nationality. "From that view, let us work together for greater peace," Al-Nasser said. Meanwhile, Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Marty Natalegawa called on the delegations of governments and youth participants to work together in creating reconciliation and tolerance and reminding others about the cost of intolerance through the four pillars of UNAOC: youth, media, migration, and education. "Yesterday, we had discussed about how to bring forward dialogue, education that could enable youth to contribute not only for creation of tolerance but also for celebrating diversity," Natalegawa noted. The world is rife with conflicts and intolerance, and "facing such a situation, should we remain silent or rise against these?" he demanded.(*)