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Dialogue Among Civilizations: Understanding and Cooperation

In Being a World Citizen, Conflict Resolution, Cultural Bridges, Current Events, Middle East & North Africa, NGOs, Peacebuilding, Solidarity, The Search for Peace, Track II, United Nations on April 21, 2026 at 7:05 AM

By René Wadlow

With the acute tensions and the danger of violence concerning Iran and the Strait of Hormuz, it is useful to recall that it was President Mohammad Khatami of the Islamic Republic of Iran who proposed that the United Nations (UN) proclaim an International Year for a Dialogue among Civilizations. President Khatami stressed, “It is incumbent on those who uphold peace in the world to work for dialogue among cultures, religions, and peoples. Fight ignorance with knowledge, dispel darkness with light, defeat the logic of war with the logic of peace.”

The aim of the International Year was to highlight knowledge of civilizations, their diversity, their uniqueness as well as their universality. The Year would build bridges between different ideologies, cultures, and religions to create common ground for creative discussions. The theme of Dialogue among Civilizations would draw in participation from Nongovernmental Organizations, universities, and museums. The Year was to build upon efforts already undertaken at UNESCO on understanding among cultures. Also, earlier in 2000, political leaders of Africa and Europe had sat together to promote cultural cooperation and to safeguard African cultural forms.

(C) UN Chronicle

The UN General Assembly set the Year of Dialogue for 2001-2002. However, on September 11, 2001, New York City’s Twin Towers were hit by two hijacked planes. The United States- led “War on Terror” began. Dialogue among Civilizations was replaced by what the then UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, called “a sense of equality in vulnerability.”

Today, there are obvious tensions among States based in part on their cultures and values. The need for understanding and cooperation is great if we are not to descend a spiral of violence. Thus, we should see how the efforts for a dialogue among civilizations could be revived and this time, carried out.

Prof. René Wadlow is President of the Association of World Citizens.

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The AWC Calls for UN Action on Lebanon Conflict

In Middle East & North Africa, Current Events, Solidarity, Conflict Resolution, The Search for Peace, United Nations, World Law, Being a World Citizen, NGOs, Track II, Nonviolence, Peacebuilding on April 13, 2026 at 6:00 AM

By René Wadlow

The armed conflict in Lebanon is multidimensional and growing more violent as the conflict spreads to more areas of the country. Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs) in Consultative Status with the United Nations (UN), such as the Association of World Citizens (AWC), are calling for speedy UN action to bring the fighting to a halt.

Israel’s current attacks in Lebanon against the armed militia Hezbollah are related to the United States (U.S.)-Israeli attacks against Iran, but they are separate from the U.S.-Iran negotiations that just took place in Pakistan. Hezbollah had fired rockets at Israel in support of Hamas. In the Gaza Strip, Hamas is also backed by the Iranian government.

(C) Time

Now in Lebanon, more than 1,000 persons have been killed and a million people displaced in a country of six million inhabitants. The Israeli attacks may be the beginning of an Israeli invasion and subsequent occupation of southern Lebanon.

The political-strategic situation in the wider Middle East is complex. In light of the dangers and uncertainties, NGOs are calling for action by the UN. There are some possibilities of UN mediation and good offices. We support these NGO calls for UN action.

Prof. René Wadlow is President of the Association of World Citizens.

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Iran War: Peace Action Needed

In Being a World Citizen, Conflict Resolution, Cultural Bridges, Current Events, Humanitarian Law, International Justice, Middle East & North Africa, NGOs, Nonviolence, Peacebuilding, Solidarity, The Search for Peace, Track II, United Nations, United States, World Law on April 6, 2026 at 8:00 AM

By René Wadlow

Since the month-old United States (U.S.) and Israeli military attacks against the Islamic Republic of Iran began, the Association of World Citizens (AWC) has called for negotiations in good faith to bring the war to a halt. The war is destructive of life and property. From the very start, it has been in danger of spreading to other countries. There are real dangers of miscalculations by the military that will lead to deeper military escalation.

The AWC has stressed that the war is a violation of international law as structured in the Charter of the United Nations. The war has also led to violations of international humanitarian law as structured in the Geneva Conventions. There have been attacks on schools, health facilities, and essential economic infrastructure. The war has led to a large number of persons being displaced.

(C) The Independent

U.S. President Donald Trump has recently warned the Iranian authorities that the USA could bomb Iran “back to the Stone Age” if the Iranian authorities did not meet U.S. demands for an agreement. In reality, Iran and Persia before it had long left the Stone Age and made important contributions to world culture.

Thus, strong efforts must be made through both the United Nations and Nongovernmental Organizations such as AWC for an end to the armed conflict and the start of a harmonious regional society. Your help in these vital efforts is much appreciated.

Prof. René Wadlow is President of the Association of World Citizens.

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