Turkish State Minister Mehmet Aydin said that economic growth could not be defined as development without the culture.
Saturday, 27 November 2010 12:36
Turkish State Minister Mehmet Aydin said on Friday that Alliance of Civilizations project was not a part of Greater Middle East Initiative, as it was claimed.
Aydin delivered a speech in a conference titled “Alliance of Civilizations and the Middle East” hosted by Sheikha Mozah of Qatar as part of “Alliance of Civilizations Istanbul Conferences”.
Aydin said that big international organizations supported Alliance of Civilizations initiative, adding that it drew attention from all parts.
Turkey signed nearly 70 projects which are related with this initiative in the last one year, added Aydin.
Noting that today culture was more important than it was in the past, Aydin said that economic growth could not be defined as development without the culture.
If there is a clash among civilizations, its main reason is ignorance, he noted.
The Alliance of Civilizations was established in 2005, at the initiative of the governments of Spain and Turkey, under the auspices of the United Nations.
A High-level Group of experts was formed by former Secretary-General Kofi Annan to explore the roots of polarization between societies and cultures today, and to recommend a practical programme of action to address this issue. The Report of the High-level Group provided analysis and put forward practical recommendations that form the basis for the implementation plan of the Alliance of Civilizations.
On 26 April 2007, former President of Portugal, Jorge Sampaio, was appointed as the High Representative for the AoC by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to lead the implementation phase of the Alliance.
The AoC Secretariat, which is based in New York, works in partnership with States, international and regional organizations, civil society groups, foundations, and the private sector to mobilize concerted efforts to promote cross-cultural relations among diverse nations and communities.
AA