Ohrid, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
29 - 30 August 2003

Message from Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura

UNESCO is pleased to co-sponsor the Regional Forum on the “Dialogue Among Civilizations” to be held in Ohrid, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, as an important contribution to current international efforts to broaden the scope of dialogue and reinforce its relevance for different regions, communities, and ethnic groups and, indeed, for the everyday lives of individual men and women. President Boris Trajkovski is to be congratulated for the energy and initiative that have gone into the preparation of this timely meeting. 

For UNESCO, the Forum is a significant event in its follow-up to the UN Year of Dialogue among Civilizations (2001) and to the United Nations Global Agenda for Dialogue among Civilizations, for which UNESCO has been designated as a lead agency. Indeed, fostering dialogue among cultures and civilizations has been identified by UNESCO’s General Conference as one of the Organization’s programmatic priorities.

It is increasingly clear that the “Dialogue among Civilizations” must be conducted simultaneously at several different but inter-connected levels. It must be undertaken and validated at the highest levels of political authority, where the exercise of responsible leadership can send a clear signal to the whole of society. This Dialogue must also take place within and between our institutions and in the dynamic interactions of civil society. And, perhaps most important of all, it needs find expression through the exchanges, conversations and transactions of people as they go about their daily business. The “Dialogue among Civilizations”, in fact, must become part of our way of life.

These thoughts are nowhere more relevant than in South-East Europe. Following a period of bitter conflict and widespread human suffering, all countries of the region have now committed themselves to democratic values and objectives, to full respect for human rights, and to mutual respect and tolerance among citizens of different ethnic origins. The fulfilment of these commitments is indispensable for achieving a civilized co-existence that is both sustainable and just. 

I see the Ohrid Forum as a key moment for consolidating and expanding these positive developments in the region. By addressing the question of how dialogue among cultures, communities and civilizations can best achieve concrete, practical expression, the Forum will help to foster and protect cultural diversity and its related policy expression – pluralism. To make it part of everyday life, the Dialogue needs to be diffused through processes of education, culture, science and communication, thereby stimulating the growth of a culture of reciprocity and cooperation - what has been termed a genuine “civic culture”. This was our purpose when we organized the High-Level Conference on Strengthening Cooperation in South-East Europe at UNESCO Headquarters, Paris, on 4-5 April 2002.

The cultivation of prosperity and harmony in South-East Europe has great significance in both regional and international terms. The Ohrid Forum promises to make a substantive contribution to this process. I can assure you that UNESCO, drawing upon its knowledge, expertise, experience, and determination, will do all it can to support this endeavour.