Hosting the dialogue of cultures for the second time, Azerbaijan, a bridge between East and West, reflecting rich history and culture of centuries, has proved to be a place where different cultures encounter, intercultural solidarity is safeguarded. The idea to hold the forum was suggested just by Azerbaijan, which obviously proves tolerance dominates in our country.
Azerbaijan has a unique multinational model ruled by religious common life. Throughout centuries Azerbaijan has been a unified state for all nations and religions in these territories. Today, national minorities and ethnic groups live in the true sense of the word as one family in Azerbaijan. One of the factors stimulating Azerbaijan’s successful development is abolition of any kind of discrimination against other nations, protection of stable environment. Representatives of other nations and religions feel like an equal citizen of Azerbaijan.
The 2nd World Intercultural Dialogue Forum showed except preparing a base to holding the intercultural dialogue, Azerbaijan also makes contributions to the universal culture, mutual exchange of civilizations. Held under the motto “Peaceful common life in multicultural world”, the Forum brought together world famous representatives from up to 100 countries. Participants witnessed Azerbaijan’s development and achievements, confirmed it in their speeches. The main partners of the Forum are UNESCO, UN Civilizations Alliance, CoE, CoE North-South Centre, ISESCO, World Tourism Organization. This indicates the Forum’s importance and necessity that is recognized by the world community. The Forum proved conflicts, serious dangers can be settled via mutual exchange of views, understanding. Also the Forum demonstrated the solution of a number of problems can be reached only with common struggle and efforts, and achievements can be gained through common understanding and bringing states together for existence of the desirable future.
Such a high level forum allows countries across the world to build mutual cooperative relations with each other in different spheres. The Forum is a successful continuation of the policy of Azerbaijan to integrate into the modern world by joining the new initiatives in all spheres as a strong, trusty and desirable partner. The Forum provided an opportunity to get much more information on Azerbaijan’s rich history, culture, economy, in short, about the realities of Azerbaijan. Participants of the Forum valued Azerbaijan as a tolerant country, expressed opinions on Azerbaijan’s rapid and stable socioeconomic development. All this show the long-term successful policy of Azerbaijan directed for the future has results and is always the focus of international attention.
As a result, peace, tranquility and stability are related first of all to relationships between peoples and cultures based on mutual respect. Held at the initiative of President Ilham Aliyev, the Forum was a humanist challenge calling on to understanding, mutual cooperation and common discussions among states. The Forum will definitely play an important role in the propaganda of intercultural dialogue, contribute to the enhancement of intercultural relations.