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Round Table: Dialogue among Civilizations United Nations, New York, 5 September 2000 Provisional verbatim transcription

Address by Mohammed Javad Faridzadeh (Islamic Republic of Iran)

Mr. Faridzadeh (interpretation from Arabic): Mankind is imprisoned by history, by language, by certain historical and social circumstances, nevertheless it is the only creature that can decide what the cell will look like, whether wide, or tight and narrow, and only mankind can overcome the difficulties and challenges. Communication technology can broaden our information. At the same time it can lead to misunderstandings because what is relayed through them, through the Internet for example, is only one reflection of life and if we think that we can recognize every individual being through that, it will lead to much misunderstanding. We must understand the limitations that the Internet has within the context of our cultural and social lives. It is a tool that can create understanding and also misunderstanding. We can refrain from misunderstanding, by being more humble and not thinking that we can communicate everything through the Internet. We will therefore benefit from it and reach understanding.

[Next speaker Attiya Inayatullah]

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