Serageldin participates in guiding the “Alliance of Civilizations” initiative
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Alexandria, 5 September 2005—Dr. Ismail Serageldin, Director of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, has been selected as a member of the High-Level Group (HLG) set to guide the “Alliance of Civilizations” initiative, which was launched by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, in support of a call by Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero of Spain, and which is co-sponsored by both the Prime Ministers of Spain and Turkey.
The “Alliance of Civilizations” initiative aims to counter the mounting tensions between societies, as these tensions pose a threat to international stability and orderly relations between states. It responds to the need for a committed effort by the international community, both at the institutional and civil society levels, to overcome prejudice, misconceptions, misperceptions, and polarization.
The 18 HLG members are drawn from all regions and civilizations with leaders in policy-making, academia, civil society, and media. They include Mr. Federico Mayor, President of the “Culture of Peace” Foundation and Former Director-General of UNESCO; Professor Mehmet Aydin, Minister of the State of Turkey and Professor of Theology; Ayatollah Mohamed Khatami, Former President of Iran; Her Highness Sheikha Mozah, Consort of the Emir of the State of Qatar and Chairperson of the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development; Mr. Moustapha Niasse, Former Prime Minister of Senegal; Mr. Hubert Vedrine, Former Minister of the Foreign Affairs of France; Mr. Ali Alatas, Former Foreign Minister of Indonesia; and Dr. Mohamed Charfi, Former Education Minister of Tunisia.
It is expected that the HLG convene four times over the next year, and present a report to the Secretary-General of the UN in late 2006, with recommendations and a practical plan of action. The recommendations will include practical policy and action-oriented measures addressed to states, international organizations and civil society.