Civilizations and the Challenge for Peace

Obstacles and Opportunities

Dear colleagues,

We would like to draw your attention to the upcoming UN General Assembly
informal debate on "Civilizations and the Challenge for Peace: Obstacles and Opportunities" to be held next week on 10 and 11 May at UN Headquarters.

The main objective of the debate is to explore the reasons behind the growing level of mistrust between people of different religions and cultures; and to examine how and why cultural and religious differences increasingly fuel, and are often used to justify, conflicts.

A number of prominent commentators, academics and political figures will participate over two days in four separate panel discussions on the following themes:

• Respect for Cultural Diversity as a Prerequisite for Dialogue
        Religion in Contemporary Society
• The Responsibility of the Media
• Civilizations and the Challenge for Global Peace and Security

The full list of panelists is included in the attached programme and bios are available here:
http://www.un.org/ga/president/61/follow-up/thematic-civilizations/programme.shtml

Some of them may be of interest to local media in your regions and could be interviewed by media in advance of or after the session. For interview requests, please contact Renata Sivacolundhu via phone (+1 212 963 2932) or e-mail (sivacolundhu@un.org).

Further information on the debates is available at:
http://www.un.org/ga/president/61/follow-up/thematic-civilizations/programme.shtml