AZERBAIJAN'S ALTERNATIVE

A little over two weeks remains before the first European Games are held in Baku. And in 2017 the Islamic Solidarity Games will also be taking place in Azerbaijan. In other words, the country will be hosting two sporting events of different civilizations in two years - first European, then Islamic. This essentially unique event could be seen as an indication of the role that Azerbaijan can play in maintaining a dialogue between two civilizations in the broadest sense of the word.

Azerbaijan's geographical position at the crossroads of Europe and Asia - of civilizations, cultures and religions - is reflected, first and foremost, in the country's rich intangible heritage. One has only to look at the historical monuments in the country to be aware of the cultural variety that is peculiar to Azerbaijan. One of the oldest mosques, built in 743, and what is regarded as one of the most ancient churches of the Caucasian Albanians exist here side by side. Muslim mosques, Christian churches, Jewish synagogues and the Fire Worshippers' Temple form a vivid mosaic of the cultural heritage of modern Azerbaijan.

Being a part of Muslim civilization, Azerbaijan is at the same time a secular state and maintains strong links with Europe and other Christian states. It was here in 1918 that the first democratic republic in the Muslim world was created, offering women the right to vote earlier than in some European countries.

In other words, along with large reserves of natural resources, Azerbaijan possesses a wealth of non-material benefits and deep roots of multiculturalism, and official Baku takes maximum advantage of these opportunities to make its contribution to the preservation of global peace and security. As a result of these efforts, the country has become a moderator in the dialogue between civilizations and a centre of cross-cultural communication. And discussions are being held simultaneously at several major platforms - the International Humanitarian Forum, the World Summit of Religious Leaders and the World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue, which have become integral parts of a single process.  

"It was our initiative to invite ministers of the Islamic Cooperation Organization to the session of the cultural ministers of the Council of Europe in 2008. This was the first such occasion, because Azerbaijan is one of the few member-countries of both organizations. Later - in 2009 - the cultural ministers of the Council of Europe were invited to the session of the cultural ministers of the Islamic Cooperation Organization. These were our initiatives, which have already been called the "Baku Process", Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said at the opening of the World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue in Baku on 18 May.

The head of state expressed his profound regret and concern at what is happening today in various parts of the world. He said that negative trends were prevailing in the world and open discussions of this nature were important in eradicating them.

 "Easing tension and enmity is one of the most important issues on the international agenda. The traditions of multiculturalism have always been strong in our country and the creation of an International Centre of Multiculturalism was another step by our government aimed at encouraging these values," the president stressed.

Such an approach acquires even greater importance in a situation where there is an increase in extremism, ethnic crime and xenophobic attitudes, where conspicuous tolerance and political correctness are going out of fashion and marginalized, extreme-right nationalists are increasing in popularity among the European electorate.

Azerbaijan sees no alternative to multiculturalism. This was once again emphasized by President Ilham Aliyev, who does not share the pessimism of some European leaders about the policy of multiculturalism. On the contrary, he believes, if you give up on efforts on a dialogue between cultures, the situation in the world could deteriorate. Replying to a rhetorical question: "What's the alternative?" the head of state also listed such dangerous trends as isolation, discrimination, xenophobia, Islamophobia, anti-Semitism and neo-fascism, which have more than once brought civilizations and peoples to catastrophe.

If one looks closely, Azerbaijan's economic initiatives also go well beyond the region, linking different countries and continents. This applies to both energy and transport projects. Along with pipelines, which are expected to play an important role in ensuring the energy security of the countries in the region and Europe, today, in the context of the restoration of the historic Silk Road, a new rail link is being created between Asia and Europe. President Ilham Aliyev described this as investments not only in economic development and an improved transport infrastructure, but also in international contacts, regional cooperation and mutual understanding between peoples and countries.

We should point out that in September of this year the UN is planning to set 17 sustainable development goals, which will be a continuation of the eight "Millennium Development Goals" for the next 15 years. As Nassir Abdulaziz al-Nasser, the UN High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations, noted at the forum in Baku, the 16th sustainable development goal consists of the need to build peaceful and inclusive societies. In this context, he said, the Baku forum is of important significance for broadening collective measures and a dialogue, preventing radicalism, extremism and other phenomena which encourage conflicts. 

Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO, regretted to have to draw attention to conflicts during which mosques, churches and historical and cultural monuments are destroyed and human rights violated. She stressed that in countering all these calamities the positions of the Baku Process and UNESCO coincide in strengthening an international dialogue.

Iyad bin Amin Madani, Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, thanked President Ilham Aliyev for providing such an opportunity. He said that if our century is to be a century of distinctive character and identity, then it must also be a century of tolerance and recognition of other people's cultures.

In the opinion of  Abdulaziz bin Othman al-Twaijri, General Director of ISESCO, the Baku forum is already achieving its goals in eradicating tension and crises. "We believe that this forum on an intercultural dialogue should not be perceived as an ordinary event. This forum should be used to help adopt political measures and overcome conflicts in the world today. That is our goal," the ISESCO general director said.

So, Azerbaijan is consolidating its status as a centre of international dialogue and a platform where all questions of inter-cultural and inter-civilization dialogue and multiculturalism are discussed. Today the Baku Processes is being equated with the Davos economic forum, and the expression "Humanitarian Davos" has already been consolidated in the vocabulary of many politicians. And the arrival of 500 leading representatives from over 100 states to the III World Forum on an Intercultural Dialogue only confirms the significance that the world attaches to Azerbaijan's initiative.