BALKAN
CULTURAL
CO-OPERATION
CULTURAL
CO-OPERATION
At the Ohrid Regional Forum on Dialogue among Civilisations the mission and vision of BalkanKult has been approved.
MESSAGE FROM OHRID ADOPTED BY THE REGIONAL FORUM ON THE DIALOGUE AMONG CIVILISATIONS
OHRID, 29 AND 30 AUGUST 2003
....
There are no superior or inferior civilizations. Neither are there superior or inferior races,
languages and religions. We stress the equality of each cultural tradition and recognize
the value of each civilizing experience as an invaluable and integral part of the commonly
shared human experience. Cultural pluralism gives policy expression to the reality of
cultural diversity. Indeed, diversity is not a threat.
...
The challenge for South East European countries lies in associating cultural heritage with
development policies and demonstrating how much this powerful symbol of a people's
identity can become a unifying force for national and regional reconciliation. This may
well serve as a foundation for a shared future.
...
Once respect for cultural heritage allows people to understand themselves, it will also be
a key to understand others. 54 cultural and natural sites from the region are currently
inscribed in UNESCO's World Heritage List, which attests to an enormous cultural
richness and diversity. It is therefore imperative to develop a culture of conservation and
preservation. This will help avoid that cultural heritage becomes a symbolic target of
aggression and intentional destruction.
....
The Ohrid Forum welcomes the project Cultural Routes in Southeast Europe and
endorses the proposal and offer by President Georgi Parvanov to convene and host in
2004 a meeting of Heads of State of all countries of South-East Europe to be devoted to
the rich cultural and historical heritage of the region.
...
Drawing lessons from history, we agree that reconciliation is the path for our common
future. Dialogue must become a new refrain that will echo throughout the region and the
world at large.
Published: 2003-09-09
Updated: 2003-11-10
Copyright © 2003 BalkanKult. All Rights Reserved.
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