It is an honor and a peat pleasure to be here and I am deeply grateful for the invitation to moderate the panel. I have been looking forward to the event with anticipation as the theme has a special significance for me.
I would also like to express my appreciation to the coordinators of this panel for their generous support and guidance. Thank you.
Excellencies, Distinguished Guests and Speakers, Greetings.
The heading today, ladies and gentlemen, is dialogue as a precondition for Multiculturalism to claim its place as a source of strength and stability for contemporary societies.
As a prelude to the remarks of our esteemed panelists, I'd like to share with you a few perspectives that have come to mind as I prepared for this panel and which have prompted me to reflect on the following: people are closer to each other than ever nowadays, too close for comfort perhaps. While the causes for this closeness point to political and economic turbulences, they are also the consequence of modem technologies in the form of remote, electronic and visual communications as well as swift and affordable modes of travel. Yes, in addition to finding refuge in other countries, people also vacation in foreign lands, invest abroad, study and work across borders. Hence, a dynamic migratory traffic, be it legal or illegal. These travels and tribulations have taken people to the doorstep of each other's communities. These close encounters have afforded people an uncanny ability to identify each other at a glance by dress code language or accent, cuisine, music, dance, art and religion. Yet, while some of us relate to and appreciate this diversity, others do not accept it, dismiss it, deny it, and, in far too many cases, feel threatened by it to the point of reacting fiercely. These reactions have manifested into phenomenal distortions with accelerated impacts across the globe. Socio-cultural confrontations are creating incredible consequences and growing rifts, spreading devastating instability and unbearable insecurity.
The tolerance level is alarmingly low. Social misconceptions, cultural assumptions, ill will and manipulative agendas are predators to the vulnerable and the disfranchised. It is practically impossible nowadays to find anyone who has not faced or witnessed uncomfortable socio-cultural situations at home or abroad or to find anyone who is not affected by the news that they hear, read, watch, on television, on the internet and on their cell phones. Worldwide media is available to everyone both at the dispatching and at the receiving end. Everyone can have a "space" somewhere to propagate. Unfortunately the predominant message is negative, offensive, destructive, invasive, and an imposition, sending a ripple effect that resonates from the international stand point to the family nucleus.
Why cannot we get along? Are cultural freedom, social welfare and economic comfort so incompatible?
Communications channels are open people know how to reach each other, and, in seconds. Most of what we bear see and respond to are resounding resentment, angers abuse, rebellion anxiety, fear, sorrow, despair, desperate actions. Is this becoming the modus vivendi of the 21st Century? The development of multiculturalism - and globalization, for that matter-is being seriously derailed. This state of affairs previews quite a debilitating promise for future generations.
People strive to remain who they are, but are they allowing others to do the same?
The concept of diversity, cultural preservation, social unity, is a precious and fragile global commodity that comes at a very high price to people in today's tumultuous world. Its realization will need further resolute efforts from the political, business, cultural, religious, the media and academic sectors, and the civil society. Effective application of the concept requires integrity, sensitivity, respect, affirmative action, and creative outreach strategies. This can be done; for it is imperative that people regain their sense of worth and dignity to open up to constructive dialogue, share understanding for each other's origins, cultures religious traditions and circumstances.
I will conclude by saying that out of this chaotic situation it seems that a new global order has begun to unfold for it is not all gloom and doom. There are success stories out there that should be looked into for inspiration. They are closer than we think.
Furthermore, the positive trends of globalization are bound to prevail and win over the malaise caused by a few of their arbitrary applications in this transformational phase. The frantic pressure to perform globally will eventually subside and stabilize. Societies need to be ready then.
Thank you.