Civilizational dialogue proving a remote possibility as realpolitik rages
Looking back over the years since the 9/11 catastrophe, it could be said that barring former Iranian President Mohammad Khatami no world political leader of note has made an earnest effort to change the nature of global political discourse for the better. Khatami won world acclaim for his pronouncement that the time is right to […]
In the years following the 9/11 attacks, no global political leader has made a meaningful effort to foster a 'Dialogue among Civilizations', according to former Iranian President Mohammad Khatami. Khatami's call for such dialogue was met with widespread acclaim, leading to UN General Assembly's proclamation of 2001 as the 'Year of Dialogue among Civilizations'.
This marked an effort to emphasize peace-making over the notion that war and conflict are inherent to human nature. While peace-making has not achieved the desired results, the speaker argues that it is due to the challenges and length of the path to peace, rather than a lack of human inclination towards peace. The speaker highlights the US administration's risky 'quick-fix' war against Iran, which has now led to a military quagmire in West Asia, emphasizing the high costs of war.
The speaker also notes the persistence of international divisions, with East versus West and South versus North working in separate collectives, hindering progress towards enhanced international understanding. The recent Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit in Kyrgyzstan, while echoing these trends, saw Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi advocating for peace and unity.
The speaker praises Modi's call for moving away from endless war and rebuilding the world through peaceful means. He urges the US to reconsider its actions, particularly its savage approach towards Venezuela, and suggests that the US would benefit from adopting a more peaceful stance. The speaker also urges Russia to learn from India's experience, given the ineffectiveness of its invasion of Ukraine.
Overall, the speaker advocates for a shift towards value-based politics and a renewed focus on peace, unity, and international cooperation to address the pressing global issues.
Written by urgent.news from The Island Sri Lanka's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
