Azerbaijan, Baku / Тrend corr S. Agayeva / "Today the world faces a dilemma - dialogue among religions and cultures or intolerance, violence and tensions," the First Lady of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva, who is also the president of Heydar Aliyev Foundation and an MP of the Azerbaijani Parliament, said on 1 November speaking at the Baku conference on 'Youth for the Alliance of Civilizations'.
According to her, the purpose of creation of the alliance of civilizations is to establish trust and dialogue, as well as to admit ethnic and cultural values and to respect them. Today terrorism and other negative phenomena most frequently occurring in the world cannot be annihilated by forces of only one country. Therefore, we should join our efforts. Since ancient times Azerbaijan has been known for its tolerance, both religious and ethnic, she said. "Tolerance is one of our key achievements and we a re proud of it," she said.
The President of the Qatar Science and Culture Foundation Shiekha Mozah bint Nasser Al-Missned noted importance of establishment of trust among generations and cultures. "We have to model such societies which have dialogue between different civilizations and cultures. We should avoid conflicts proceeding from disagreements". The youth should oppose all sorts of extremism, illiteracy and poverty. "We should value all people, regardless of race, ethnicity and religion. And the youth should contribute to dialogue among cultures and civilizations," she noted.
The messages of the Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan were read out for the participants of the conference including the former Portuguese President George Sampayo, ISESCO Director General Abdulaziz Othman Altwaijri, and other high-ranking guests.
During the conference to last 2 days well-known scientists will deliver reports on history, mutual relations among different civilizations and their political, social and cultural aspects - 'Culture and Relations among Cultures, 'Dangers of Phobias - Islamophobia and Westphobia', 'Development of Youth: from Poverty to Wealth', 'Educational Reforms in the Muslim World and in the West' and others.
The Conference will be concluded with the passing of the Baku Declaration on ' Alliance among Generations'. The document will be submitted to the annual 'Global Alliance' forum which is planned to be held under the auspices of the UN in Madrid in January 2008.
