
„DIALOGUE AMONG CIVILISATIONS
- THE KEY TO A SAFE FUTURE"
23-26 April, 2003
The Gromada Hotel & Congress Centre,
Warsaw, ul. 17 Stycznia 32
_______________________________________________________________
Dear Sir /
Madam,
In
September 2000, on the eve of the United Nations Millennium Summit the round
table debate on dialogue among civilisations was organised by UNESCO and UN. At
this occasion Koffi Annan, Secretary General of the UN, stated that alongside an
infinite diversity of cultures now evolves a new global civilisation. Its
fundamental principles are the celebration of cultural diversity, tolerance of
dissent, and universal human rights. The cultural diversity – in his opinion
– is not only the basis for the dialogue among civilisations, but also the
reality that makes dialogue necessary, since the perception of diversity as a
threat is the very seed of war.
Koïchiro
Matsuura, Director-General of UNESCO, added that active and mutually enriching
exchange between cultures is essential to furthering peace between nations.
Knowledge of the cultures of others and listening to what they have to say –
dispels hatred, ignorance and mistrust, and helps to build peace. Thus cultural
dialogue leads to long-term understanding, and helps to sow the seeds of peace.
Globalisation
could bring great benefits to many nations, but it could also result in
increasing sufferings, hatred and conflicts. It requires not only economic and
political co-operation, but also a new “architecture of dialogue” among
nations and civilisations. There are in the West politicians and intellectuals
who expect that the entire world will eventually be Westernised and will adopt
the Western values, institutions, social and political norms, etc. Others,
together with their numerous colleagues from non-Western countries, realise that
such expectations are unrealistic, or even harmful, at least for foreseeable
future. There will exist numerous civilisations which should enrich one another
and perhaps could even share some essential common values. People grown up in
them should increase their mutual understanding, and this requires a new
“education for dialogue” instead of the old education in the national
spirit. Closer international co-operation requires new information network
promoting cultural dialogue, mutual respect and understanding.
In
order to continue such efforts a world conference is organised in Warsaw, April
23-26, 2003. The conference, sponsored by UNESCO, will be held under the
heading: „Dialogue Between Civilisations - The Key to a Safe Future”. We
would like to discuss how the dialogue among civilisations and cultures could be
promoted and carried out, and which infrastructure for such a dialogue should be
created for granting peaceful and fruitful co-operation of all nations. We
intend to analyse the cultural dialogue in various aspects: economic, political,
social, cultural, philosophical, and religious. The representatives of all major
contemporary civilisations are invited, as well as of various international
organisations. The conference is essentially of a scholarly nature, although
professionals in various fields crucial to dialogue (like education,
information, and politics) are also invited. Some 600 participants are expected.
The Conference will be held under the national patronage of H.E. Leszek Miller.
Prime Minister of the Polish Republic.
The
Conference will be accompanied by various cultural events. And at the very end
of the Conference an inauguration of the International Academy of Dialogue among
Cultures and Civilisations will be held.
The
organisers invite other national and international bodies to join our initiative
and co-operate in this intellectual endeavour and in practical efforts to
promote such a cultural dialogue.
Conference
Language.
The official language of the Conference will be English.
Conference
Program. The
Conference will consist of four days of general and parallel sessions. Each of them will be devoted to topics
important to various cultures and civilisations. A detailed program will be sent
to all registered participants before the Conference.
Students. Graduate
students are encouraged to attend the Conference and take an active part in the
program. Special hotel accommodation and special registration fee will be
available at a lower rate for students.
Submission of
papers.
Papers presenting original, previously unpublished research, not
currently under review by another conference or journal, are solicited, in
particular concerning theoretical issues, experimental studies, or related to
practical applications. The submitted papers (or their preliminary drafts) will
be evaluated by the Steering Committee and included to the programme. The review
will be based on the merits of the work submitted.
The
authors shall consider one of the following general topics:
1.
“Economy
& development” group /Theme I/, morning session:
Globalisation and intercultural
dialogue – synergy or contradictions?
2.
“Economy
& development” group /Theme II/, afternoon session:
The economy of development –
paradigm on trial.
3.
“Sociology
& psychology” group /Theme I/, morning session:
The individual
in the modern civilisations and cultures.
4.
“Sociology
& psychology” group / Theme II /, afternoon session:
The human communities in the modern civilisations
and cultures.
5.
“Political sciences” group / Theme I /, morning session:
Traditions and models of power –
contemporary political dilemmas.
6.
“Political sciences” group / Theme II /, afternoon session:
Towards a new culture of dialogue:
the role of international and world organisations, of peacekeeping missions and
social diplomacy.
7.
“Religion
& philosophy” group / Theme I /, morning session:
Dialogue among civilisations and
the idea of universalism.
8.
“Religion & philosophy” group / Theme II /, afternoon session:
The fundamental philosophical and religious ideas
at the trial of a dialogue
9.
“Communication & education” group / Theme I /, morning session:
Education for dialogue: schools and mutual
understanding.
10.
“Communication & education” group / Theme II /, afternoon
session:
Information in the era of dialogue: images of the
world created by media.
11.
“Communication through arts” group/ Theme I /, morning session:
Arts in dialogue: symbols and myths.
12.
“Communication through art” group/ Theme II /, afternoon session:
The arts and non-verbal
communication: towards deeper understanding.
The
co-chairmen will present introductions, followed by several main reports and a
general discussion.
Papers
should be approximately of 10–15
pages in length (double-spaced text), in font no smaller than 10 points. The
Organisers expect the papers in an electronic
form, sent to our computer. Files shall be submitted in Microsoft Word (although
WordPerfect, or as a PDF file could also be accepted). Each author should
include an abstract of ca 150-250 words, and a short biographical note (the
present occupation and position, when and where he/she was graduated, where the
Ph.D grade was obtained, the most
significant former positions and the 3-4 major publications). Authors without
Internet access should submit a disk copy of the manuscript, of an abstract and
a biographic note, and of five (5) printed copies of the paper and of three
copies (3) of the accompanying documents.
1.
For all authors and co-authors:
A.
Names
B.
Institutional affiliations
C.
Mailing addresses
D.
E-mail addresses
E.
Telephone and fax numbers
2.
Your preference for spoken/poster presentation:
A.
Only wish to present a spoken paper
B.
Prefer spoken paper, willing to give a poster
C.
No preference; either spoken or poster is fine
D.
Prefer poster, willing to give a spoken paper
E.
Only willing to present a poster
3.
Title of paper
4.
An abstract of 150-250 words
Accepted
papers will be printed in the symposium proceedings.
E-mail
submission (prap@post.pl of abstracts is
requested, since this will facilitate compiling of Conference materials to be
distributed at the meeting.
Important Dates.
Announcements of
accepted papers are expected to be made on February 28th, 2003.
|
Paper
registration due: |
February
20th, 2003 |
|
Paper
submission due: |
February
20th, 2003 |
|
Notification
of acceptance: |
March
20th , 2003 |
However, in the particular cases, the Organisers could accept the papers
even after the deadline.
“Dialogue among Civilisations
– the Key to a Safe Future”
The Polish Asia Pacific Association
01-846 WARSAW, 77 Zeromskiego Street, apt 20
phone: +(48) 601 29 81 39, +(4822) 834 95 62 fax: (+48)
601 29 01 74, +(4822) 865 07 27
e-mail: prap@post.pl
Please take note that our Office is open from Monday to
Friday from 12.00 to 18.00.

„DIALOGUE AMONG CIVILISATIONS
-
THE KEY TO A SAFE FUTURE"
23-26 April, 2003
The Gromada Hotel
& Congress Centre,
Warsaw, ul. 17
Stycznia 32
Dear
Sir / Madam,
In April 2002, Warsaw was the site of
an international conference on „Dialogue
among Civilisations. New Challenges”. The conference
was held on the initiative of the Polish Asia and Pacific Council Association
– the main organiser of the event – as well as the
Polish National Committee for UNESCO and the Centre for East Asia Research of
the Institute for Political Studies at the Polish Academy of Sciences.
350 participants from home and
abroad, including scientists, politicians, businessmen and media representatives
congregated in the Polish Parliament building to consider the issue of common
cultural future of the West and Islam and the urgent need for deepening the
perception of Islam – its civilisation variety and specific nature. The key
themes of the conference were „Towards common future” and „Towards
better understanding of Islam”.
Polish Prime Minister Leszek Miller, who took patronage
of the conference, said in his opening speech: (...) Dialogue among civilisation centres at a time of
ever-closer international co-operation and globalisation processes has become
not just very necessary but outright indispensable. (...)
In
a follow-up development to this year's event, a world conference will be held in
Warsaw in April 2003, on the role of
contemporary dialogue between civilisations in generating international security
policies. The conference to be held under the heading: „Dialogue Between
Civilisations. The Key to a Safe Future” is being organised by the Polish
Asia and Pacific Council Association, the Polish National Committee for UNESCO,
the Institute for Political Studies at the Polish Academy of Sciences and
the Centre for East Asian and Pacific
Studies of Trier University (Germany) in
collaboration with a large group of scientific institutions from all the world's
great civilisations.
The
conference will be held under the national patronage of Polish Prime Minister
Leszek Miller and the United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan has been
approached by the organisers with the request to act as the conference’s
international patron.
The Honorary Committee
of the Conference is chaired by Professor Tadeusz Iwiński, Secretary of
State at the Prime Minister’s Chancellery. Professor Tadeusz Iwiński has
invited the following prominent personalities to act as his co-chairmen: HE Mr
Delfin Colome, Director General of the Asia-Europe Foundation (Singapore); HE Mr
Gareth Evans, President of the International Crisis Group (Brussels); Mr Edmond
Israel, President of the Edmond Israel Foundation and Governor of the
Asia-Europe Foundation (Luxembourg); HE Dr Ahmad Jalali, President of the
General Conference of UNESCO (Paris); Dr Seyyed Ataollah Mohajjerani, President
of the International Centre for Dialogue among Civilisations (Teheran); Dr F. A.
Nizami, Director of the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies (Oxford); HE
Giandomenico Picco, the Personal Representative of the UN Secretary General for
Dialogue among Civilisations (New York); HRH Prince Turki Al-Faisal (Rijad); Mr
N.N. Vohra, President of the India International Centre (New Delhi) and HE
Eugeniusz Wyzner, Deputy to the UN Secretary General (New York). Invitations
will also be given (among others) to the
Chancellor of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (Beijing) and other new members of
the Honorary Committee.
Some
600 guests and participants representing various cultures and civilisations are
expected to attend the conference.
Accompanying events:
During the conference, a number of
accompanying events will be held. The major ones will include:
§
The “Politics in
Dialogue” evening,
§
The “Music of Dialogue”
concert by foreign and Polish artists,
§
Multicultural Gala,
§
Series of exhibitions and
thematic displays,
§
“The Colours of the Sun”, a review of feature films.
The inauguration of
the International Academy of Dialogue among Cultures and Civilisations,
established under the patronage of the Polish Asia and Pacific Council
Association, will be another major event closely connected with the
Conference.
PARTICIPATION IN THE CONFERENCE
Persons interested to attend the Conference are
required to contact the
Conference
Organisation Office:
“Dialogue among Civilisations
– the Key to a Safe Future”
The Polish Asia Pacific Association
01-846 WARSAW, 77 Zeromskiego Street, apt 20
phone: +(48) 601 29 81 39, +(4822) 834 95 62 fax: (+48)
601 29 01 74, +(4822) 865 07 27
e-mail: prap@post.pl
Please take note that our Office is open from Monday to
Friday from 12.00 to 18.00.
„DIALOGUE
AMONG CIVILIZATIONS.
THE KEY TO A SAFE
FUTURE”
Warsaw, Poland, 23-26 April 2003
Please
fax the duly filled form below to fax nr: +48
0 339 06 29
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Participant’s address
............................................................................................................................................
...............................................................................……………………...............................................................
Name of institution represented
...........................................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................................................................................
Address of institution represented
........................................................................................................................
Mailing address ...................................................................................................................................................
telephone
.........................................…………….................……..fax
.....................................…...............……
e-mail
................................................……...........................….....
www .............................................................
□
conference fee (covering participation in the deliberations, publications
and documents, coffee-break
facilities) in the amount of $400.00
□ hotel
accommodation (bed and breakfast) on
□ 22/23, □ 23/24,
□ 24/25, □ 25/26,
□ 26/27, □ 27/28
April 2003 at hotel:
□ Hotel Gromada
(32 17 Stycznia St.) – at the conference site
(rates: □ $115.00
for a single room and □ $90.00 for a
double room)
□ Airport
Hotel Okęcie (24 17 Stycznia St.) – located 300 meters from the
conference site)
(rates: □ $
95.00 for a single room and □ $70.00
for a double room)
□ Hotel Profesorski
(9 Bobrowiecka St.) – located 6 kilometers from the conference site
(rates: □ $45.00
for a single room and □ $25.00
for a double room)
□ accommodation
arrangements will by made by myself
□ lunch
during the break in the proceedings at the Gromada Hotel (fixed menu at $15.00)
on
□ 23,
□
24, □
25,
□ 26,
□
27 April 2003
□ dinner
(a la carte) at the hotel of stay on
□ 22, □ 23,
□ 24, □ 25,
□ 26, □ 27
April 2003
□ participation
in the ceremonial banquet on the first day of the conference (price: $30.00)
□ participation
in the gala concert on the second day of the conference (price: $10.00)
□ participation
in the farewell dinner on the fourth day of the conference (price: $30.00)
□ dietary
restrictions: □ vegetarian
menu □ kosher menu □ other
...........................................
I
am interested in the following additional services:
□ transfer:
□ from/to
the airport or □ from/to
the railroad station to/from my hotel
on:
□ 23 April at........hours, □ 24 April at........hours, □ 25 April at..........hours,
□ 26
April at..........hours,
□ sightseeing
tour of Warsaw (please provide detailed information)
□ other
...............................................................................................................................................................
I would like to take part in the
following discussion groups:
□ economy & development, □ sociology & psychology, □ political sciences, □ religion & philosophy,
□ communication & education, □ communication through art.
I declare that the amount of $...................will
be transferred to the Ars Nobile account
No. 50-10205558-1111111601200152 at Bank PKO BP COI in the following
installments: 45% of the total at the time of the sending of this submission,
together with a copy of the transfer confirmation and the remaining 55% upon the
receipt of the VAT invoice. I understand that the remittance of the amount
stated above in toto at least seven days prior to the opening of the conference
is a requirement for registration at the conference. I authorize Ars Nobile to
issue the VAT invoice without the customer’s signature. I accept the terms of
participation in the conference.
1. In the case of cancellation of the conference at the organizer’s
fault or a written withdrawal of this submission by 9 April 2003, a full refund
of the amount paid will be promptly made to the participant.
2. In the case of a written withdrawal of this
submission by 16 April 2003, a refund of 50% of the amount paid will be made.
3. The organizers reserve the right to make changes in
the program of the conference.