Agree to Differ

Book excerpt: The International Decade for the Rapprochement of Cultures (IDRC) builds on the strong momentum created by and the achievements of both the International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World (2001-2010) and the International Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures (2010). It is to be understood as a commitment for addressing the urgent need to take into account and clearly demonstrate new articulations between cultural diversity and universal values. The rapprochement of cultures implies that international security and social inclusion cannot be attained sustainably without a commitment to such principles as compassion, conviviality, hospitality, solidarity and brotherhood which are the corner stones of human coexistence inherent in all faiths and secular ideologies. The current surge of flaring conflicts, acts of violence and intolerance demands urgent actions. Peoples and nations have to join forces for the development of a universal global consciousness free from racial, ethnic and social prejudices. The United Nations have proclaimed the period 2013-2022 as "International Decade for the Rapprochement of Cultures" to address these global challenges, with UNESCO as the lead agency for the United Nations system.