No clash of civilizations, says UN report

That sentiment was echoed in an editorial published in the Houston Chronicle on Sunday by three of the report's authors, who also said that political repression in the Muslim world contributes to extremism.

"Denying peaceful opposition movements the freedom to express their views and jailing their supporters generate anger and resentment, encouraging some to join violent groups,'' wrote Mr. Tutu, former Indonesian foreign minister Ali Alatas, and Andri Azoulay, an advisor to Morocco's King Muhammed VI.

"When Western governments lend their support – tacitly or overtly – to authoritarian regimes, they become part of the problem," the authors wrote.

The overall objective of the paper is to set out problems between the Muslim and the West as a matter of politics, and not of culture, and tends to see anger and misunderstanding as largely a problem of inadequate education.

For instance, the authors point to a recent Gallup poll that found 57 percent of Americans either responded "nothing" or "I don't know" when asked what they most admired about Muslim societies, as evidence for a need for education systems in both the West and Muslim countries to provide a "basic understanding of religious traditions other than their own."

The authors also point to another recent survey that found 30 percent of US government money for cultural exchanges go to programs with Europe – the societies with which the US has the most in common – while just 6 percent go to programs with the Middle East, arguably the place where such efforts could do the most good.

The UN's High Level Group report includes a set of concrete recommendations for the international community. Among the recommendations:

• The international community should draft a white paper to analyze the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

• An international conference should be convened to reinvigorate the Middle East peace process.

• Ruling parties in the Muslim world should provide space for the participation of peaceful political groups.

• Leaders and shapers of public opinion should behave responsibly and work to promote understanding among cultures.

• The UN should appoint a high representative to assist in defusing cross-cultural tensions.

• The UN should establish a forum for the alliance of civilizations under its auspices.

• Journalists should receive improved training in intercultural understanding.

• Media content should aim to promote intercultural dialogue.

• Educational materials and media literacy programs in schools should face a critical review.

• Governments should increase the number of international youth exchanges and youth-oriented websites.

• The international community should create media campaigns to combat discrimination.

Source: United Nations Fourth High Level Group, www.unaoc.org

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