The Director-General of Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) Dr. Salim Bin Mohammad Al-Malik, called for restoring universal human values, which must prevail over all ideologies that still divide peoples, stressing the need to prepare future generations, to become thinkers and creators and to be part of a culture of peace. In a speech delivered during the opening session of the G20 Interfaith Forum 2021 in Bologna, Italy, Monday, taking place in the participation of a large number of Arab and European officials, Dr. Al-Malik added that the organization performs per a comprehensive work methodology to address peace issues in the educational, economic, cultural, environmental and social dimensions, including focusing on integrating the values of affection and compassion in the educational curricula of the member states of the organization. Dr. Al-Malik stressed that the organization is ready to join efforts to achieve world peace through the power of education and religious and cultural diversity, as it launched ambitious programs aimed at promoting peace, especially by mobilizing youth, women and religious leaders through its program to train the youths on leadership for peace and security, and through its Regional Center for Education for Peace and Security, which was established in 2008, embodying its strong commitment to promoting a culture of peace. During the session on "Education and Religious Diversity," held on Monday, which brought together many Arab and European officials and ministers, Dr. Al-Malik explained that ICESCO's new vision goes beyond the idea that peace is the absence of war or its opposite. The ICESCO chief stressed the importance of peace institutions and bodies around the world, which provide the necessary mechanisms to prevent conflict that may results in war as these institutions are one of the key milestones in human history to establish peace and prevent wars. The three-day forum is being held under the theme (Peace Among Cultures, Understanding Between Religions), preceding the G20 Leaders Summit. It is one of the group's most important initiatives offering a space for meeting and dialogue between stakeholders. Al-Asoumi appreciates Saudi's pioneering role The Arab Parliament Speaker Adel Bin Abdulrahman Al-Asoumi praised the pioneering role being played by Saudi Arabia, under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and the Crown Prince, in promoting interreligious dialogue and peaceful coexistence, citing the efforts King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue (KAICIID) is exerting. This came in Al-Asoumi's speech before a high-level panel discussion held in Italy, organized by the Global Council for Tolerance and Peace (GCTP), on the role of parliamentarians in promoting interreligious dialogue. — SPA
