Globalization and cultural identity were the topics that dominated discussions at the closing sessions of the second National Meeting for National Dialogue entitled “Identity and Globalization in Cultural Discourse”. The event ended Wednesday in Riyadh, with the final sessions chaired by Sheikh Saleh Bin Abdul Rahman Al-Hussayyen. Over 700 male and female intellectuals and thinkers took part in the two-day event. Participants at the forum tackled two issues including “Globalization and Saudi Society in Cultural Discourse” and “The Future of Cultural Discourse”. Dr. Rashed Al-Rajeh, Chairman of the Committee at King Abdul Aziz National Dialogue Center in Riyadh, said the Saudi leadership supports a deepening of a culture of dialogue in society. Al-Rajeh said that globalization has become a global phenomenon, but that Saudi society still has a strong connection to its national principles which includes its Islamic belief and national unity. “All the opinions raised in these sessions focus on two facts, (which on the one side state) that globalization has become a reality which we should benefit from and on the other side advocate the opinion that cultural globalization means domination of Western culture over our cultural achievements.” Dr. Muneer Al-Qassim, an interlocutor, said: “We cannot speak about the Saudi cultural discourse separate from globalization and changes in the world. We have to realize that we are not living in isolation. However, this requires that we preserve our cultural identity and stick to it (in the face of) these changes.” Noora Al-Sharekh, a participant, said: “Globalization is not a new phenomenon in our society, the new thing is the modern mechanism of globalization. In the light of the development of telecommunications and information technology, which has turned the world into a global village, we find that the impact of our local cultural discourse is weak because it has a very limited presence on world cultural platforms.” Dr. Ali Al-Khushaiban, another participant, said that there is still an opportunity to run Saudi cultural discourse with professionalism. He said that globalization means it is necessary to strike a partnership with the world, and develop Saudi Arabia as an influential partner. Dr. Dalal Al-Harbi said: “Globalization is not a one-way street. Our local society still has a good opportunity to advocate its culture to the world and benefit from globalization.” Faisal Bin Abdul Rahman Bin Mu'ammar, Secretary General of King Abdul Aziz National Dialogue Center, said that local society has started to feel the impact and benefit from efforts by the center to improve dialogue and consolidate opinion on a number of issues.
