The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations
(UNAOC) is an initiative of the Sec...
The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations
(UNAOC) is an initiative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, which
responds to a broad consensus across nations, cultures and religions that all
societies are interdependent, bound together in their development and security,
and in their environmental, economic and financial well-being. The Alliance
seeks to forge collective political will and mobilize concerted action at the
institutional and civil society levels to overcome prejudice, misperceptions and
polarization that militate against such a consensus. UNAOC hopes to contribute
to a coalescing global movement which, reflecting the will of the vast majority
of people, rejects extremism in any society.
The complex, demanding dialogue of
civilizations, cultures, and religions is necessary, possible, and fruitful. It
is a critical tool against isolation, mistrust, and confrontation and it is
also the most powerful incentive for understanding, and tolerance. History has
shown that dialogue is not a simple process, but that if we fail to teach and
cultivate it, the situation can give way to a monologue or to mutism, which is
conducive to conflict and violent extremism.
UNAOC was created to serve as a soft-power
political tool of the United Nations Secretary-General for conflict prevention
and conflict resolution. It is a coalition against extremist forces; a movement
to advance mutual respect for cultures, traditions and religious beliefs, and a
platform to bridge divides and overcome prejudice, misconceptions,
misperceptions, and polarization. UNAOC was intended to promote collective
action in society as a means of addressing the threats that emerge from the
hostile perceptions that foment violence, overcoming cultural and social
barriers, reducing tensions and improving relations between societies and
communities with diverse cultural and religious backgrounds, and combatting
violent extremism.
The High-Level Group’s report, published on
13 November 2006, put forth recommendations that became the guiding principles
for the implementation of the Alliance. In particular, it identified four priority
areas of action for the Alliance of Civilizations, which all play a critical
role in reducing cross-cultural tensions and building bridges between communities,
and to which the Alliance of Civilizations should bring a multidisciplinary and
multi-perspective approach: Youth, Education, Media,Migration, and Women.