UNITED NATIONS, New York The United Nations special representative on dialog among civilizations, Giandomenico Picco said on Friday that the idea of dialog among civilizations contains the seed and the possibility to become a new paradigm for international relations at the threshold of the new millennium.
In an exclusive interview with IRNA, Picco said that it is very appropriate that the idea of dialog among civilizations has emerged at the end of the nineties, because this decade in a way was opened with the idea of clash of civilizations and added, "It is fitting that the suggestion came from the Islamic world which has suffered so much because of the idea of clash of civilizations devised by professor Samuel Huntington." He emphasized that if the dialog is developed in a successful way two major benefits could be derived: First it would help the UN to rediscover one of its fundamental elements, i.e.
appreciation of diversity, and second, it should encourage all of us to reassess the concept of enemy which if done well would change the face of the world.
Picco further elaborated, "It is very important that after 10 difficult years for the world, of speaking about the baseless theory of clash of civilizations, the idea of dialog has replaced it," and added "I think civil societies around the world have received the idea of dialog among civilizations very well." Picco added, "President Khatami's proposal on proclaiming year 2001 as the year of dialog among civilizations, has mobilized the United Nations' organs." He told IRNA that on behalf of Kofi Annan, he is following two goals: First, with the help of some eminent persons to put together a book by the end of next summer on the subject of dialog among civilizations, which will be transmitted to the next General Assembly by Annan.
Second, he stressed that the best way to convey the message of dialog is by examples, and in this line the UN is preparing 12 short films, 30 seconds each, to be broadcast on TV stations around the world, one per month.
"Annan in his report has mentioned, among other issues, the issue of digital divide," said Picco, and continued: "The Secretary General has made suggestions to facilitating affordable access to Internet for children around the world in their own language through schools," to take one more step towards people to people communication.
Annan's special representative indicated "ever since the launching of the motto dialog among civilizations, the response from civil societies, NGOs and different political leaders around the world has been great." He stressed that the people of the world have also responded to the idea with great enthusiasm.
On the other activities, Picco said that the UN is setting up a Website on the Internet "undialog", to inform people of the progress made in this line, and mentioned that UNESCO also has planed a series of measures and events.
Andrew Radolph, UNESCO's representative to the UN in this regard said: "President Khatami's proposal contains the existing seed of UNESCO, and the Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization of the UN would capitalize on the idea to realize its goals".
Giandomenico Picco went on to say that selected leaders from five continents will, on Sept. 5, launch the meeting on dialog among civilizations.' Picco said: "The September 5 meeting will be the official launching of the dialog among civilizations in the UN context," and added, "With the participation of President Khatami, God willing, heads of states will have the opportunity for the first time to express their opinions about the whole proposal." The UN special representative also said that Kofi Annan will attend the meeting himself, and added, "Launching the dialog just before the beginning of the Millennium Summit is of great symbolic significance." He highlighted the fact that five to 10 heads of states from 5 different continents, based on the geographical division of the world, have been invited to participate in this symbolic meeting.
Picco commented that if the idea of dialog among civilizations' is successfully given practical implementation, such as in the form of political suggestion, the response by the mass media would also be great. He expressed his hope he would witness such a response during the course of year 2001.
"World leaders support President Khatami's proposal for such a dialog" Picco added.
Picco lauded the unique proposal, saying "the world is really cheering for President Khatami," adding that they are "impressed by what Khatami has been presenting, his vision of the world and his vision of the future." He stressed: "So many governments I talked to are interested in supporting President Khatami and everybody wants to have the best possible relation with the Iranian people," comparing the relation as a two-way street that allows great expectations for Iran to become better and better.
"Everybody is looking at Iran very, very carefully," said the UN special representative, "Not because they want to interfere, but because everybody cheers for the people of Iran, to become a greater and greater people, and this is what we need for the world," he concluded.
On the issue of diversity, Picco remarked: "Having a country like Iran which is not afraid of looking at diversity is of utmost significance." He advised countries to "remember that diversity is not a threat; the bigger the country, the less it should be afraid of diversity." The UN special representative further emphasized: "Those who are afraid of different opinions are, and have always been, the weak." Meanwhile, on the eve of his departure for New York to attend the United Nations Millennium Summit, Khatami met and conferred with the Leader of the Revolution, Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei on Saturday .
Presenting guidelines, the Leader wished the President success at the summit to be held at the United Nations headquarters in New York.
More than 160 world leaders are expected to attend the UN Millennium Summit scheduled for September 6 to 8.
Khatami left Tehran for New York before noon on Sunday for the UN millennium summit.
The UN Dialog Among Civilizations Conference will be officially opened on Sept. 5, with an address by the architect of the initiative, President Khatami.
Before departing, President Mohammad Khatami said that the UN Millennium Summit would prepare the ground for dialog among heads of state and termed the event a suitable opportunity for both the Islamic Republic of Iran to present its viewpoints and for interested countries to be so informed.
Speaking briefly to reporters in Mehrabad International Airport, the architect of the idea of dialog of civilizations pointed to Iran's initiative in this connection and expressed hope that it will achieve success.
The President underlined the importance of the UN Millennium Summit, saying it would have an opportunity to assess events of the past as well as prospects of the future.
Pointing to the message of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution to the Millennium World Peace Summit, President Khatami said that the holding of the gathering was an indication of mankind's concern for spiritual values.
He highlighted the role of parliaments as an appropriate venue for people to decide their own fate and underscored the importance of the IPU conference in New York.
He said it was necessary to elucidate on Iran's orientation within the short span of time allotted him in the summit to other heads of state.