Representatives of the world’s cultures will come together in Baku, Azerbaijan, on 5th and 6th May for the 4th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue, held to boost and support efforts in favour of cultural diversity and inclusive societies through dialogue among all stakeholders.

According to an official press statement, Ilham Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan, and Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO, will open the forum, which is hosted by the Government of Azerbaijan, in partnership with UNESCO. The event will provide an opportunity to examine effective responses to challenges facing human security, including massive migration, violent extremism and conflicts.

A boom in the world’s population, the power of technology, more salient human mobility, and the increased flow of goods and ideas across borders has brought cultures much closer together in the 21st century in ways unimaginable only a few decades ago. But as some doors have opened, others have closed in particular in the minds of women, men and children living with increased and more complex manifestations of diversity. This has strengthened prejudice, intolerance, racism, xenophobia, discrimination, radicalisation and violent extremism.

In this context, the forum will bring together heads of government and ministers, representatives of intergovernmental organisations and the private sector as well as policy-makers, cultural professionals, journalists, intellectuals and civil society activists, to reaffirm the imperative need to expand, consolidate and intensify dialogue among peoples and cultures, religions and beliefs

source : wam