Before the era of Globalization, we used to live far from each other. Our differences whether they be religious or cultural were unnoticed. Each society would solve its problems on its own. However, today we are living on a small planet. Globalization, which I believe is a sort of ‘inevitable evil', has imposed itself on our contemporary world and is trying to mold the whole world in the image of its creators (especially America). However, it offers the opportunity and the impetus for all nations to think seriously about how they should coexist peacefully. It should make different nations think seriously about and a fruitful dialogue adapted to bringing harmony and peace to their global ‘small village'. Unofficial contacts, including people-to-people exchanges, are today of great importance in the lives of ordinary people. As a result, people's values, way of thinking, preferences, habits in any country of the world are increasingly influenced by the way people think, act and judge in other places of the world. It has indeed become a smaller planet. These developments have led to the globalization of our problems too. A clear example of this is the issue of terrorism. We must reach a common understanding of these problems to solve them. But how can we do this if we, due to our cultural differences, have different understanding of these issues? I think the solution lies in cultural dialogue for which we have a common ground. Indeed, there are differences between us. But beneath our cultural diversity lies a fundamental ethical and moral unity. Behind cultural differences stands the primordial ethical sense with which all men are born before acculturation makes them adherents of this or that cultural and religious tradition. The explorations into these ethical-religious common grounds seem to be a worthwhile effort. Because, we can use these grounds as a basis for our cultural dialogue. It goes without saying that if we must strengthen the dialogue on a globally sustainable basis we must understand that we have – inter alia – to imply the universal values inscribed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Such common values are represented in many different areas: art, culture, philosophy and history. This dialogue must be built on a mutual respect and understanding. Each culture must respect cultural diversities instead of trying to eliminate them. This gives our world its taste. We need to implement such communication revolution which we have towards more understanding and toleration not to more prejudice and intolerance as the terrorist groups tend to do. It is healthy to have a clear cultural identity such as a Saudi, English, American etc as long as such identity does not lead to prejudice against other cultural identities. To think that you are a better human being because you come from one part of the world or another and that other human beings are less valuable is racism. We know that such racial notion led to many wars and conflicts around the world. A clear example is World War II. Nowadays it is very easy and cheap to communicate your ideas and values to a – potentially – global audience. All what you need is a website. Then you can advertise your cultural elements (cultural dialogue). In order for the cultural dialogue to be fruitful, we need to ensure that: u Dialogue should not be used as an end in itself, but rather a means to an end: a mutual understanding and a mutual respect between those involved in it. u Mutual respect should be understood as respect of others' religion, culture and traditional values. u Need for tolerance, which means that each side can stick to its own culture or religion but it has to at the same time accept the coexistence of other cultures and accept to deal peacefully and interact creatively with them. u There must be a desire to change your ideas if convinced by others. u There must be a recognition of pluralism and cultural difference as basic human rights, which means that no culture or civilization should try to impose itself as a superior or perfect model to be emulated by peoples of other cultures. – SG The writer can be reached at [email protected] __
