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 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, and Migration.