Against the backdrop of the worsening crisis the Middle East, international political, civic, and cultural leaders will gather in Morocco to take part in the fourth annual Interdependence Day in Fès and Casablanca from September 9 to 12, 2006. The fourth Interdependence Day (September 12) celebration will bring what has become a major international event to Africa and the Islamic world for the first time.
With the tragic conflict unfolding in the Middle East, this gathering will offer a crucial opportunity for much needed frank, but respectful, dialogue. The gathering's theme, "Religion and Globalization," speaks directly to the crisis in Israel, Lebanon and Palestine. Four days of focused colloquia and events will affirm global interdependence as a civic strategy for justice and peace in a world in turmoil. Bringing together leaders of the Muslim, Christian, and Jewish communities, the event will culminate in the signing of the Declaration of Interdependence on Interdependence Day, September 12, in Casablanca.
International speakers will include Solidarity co-founder Adam Michnik (Poland); Bernard Kouchner (France), co-founder of Doctors without Borders; Philosopher Cornel West (United States); International Negotiator Lord Frank Judd (United Kingdom); former Finance Minister Dominique Strauss-Kahn (France); Congressman Dennis Kucinich (United States); Jean Daniel (France), Editor of Nouvel Observateur, Professor Jin Carong (China); Dr. Rita Sussmuth (Germany), former president of the upper house of the German parliament, Lord Bhiku Parekh (India/ United Kingdom) former Chairman of the British Racial Equality Commission; and U.S. Public Television journalist Tavis Smiley (United States). In addition, world-famous master cellist Yo-Yo Ma will be making a special video appearance.
Moroccan speakers will include Ahmed Abbadi, Director-General of Islamic Affairs, Ambassador Assia Alaoui, Nourddine Ayyouch, President of the Zakoura Foundation for Micro-credit, Aïcha Belarbi, former Ambassador to the European Union, Rachid Benmokhtar, President of Al-Akhawayn University, Abdou Filali Ansary, Director of the Institute of Dialogue of Muslim Civilizations in London, social activist Amina Laraki, and business leader Brahim Slaoui.
According to Faouzi Skali, Director-General of the Spirit of Fès Foundation and host of Interdependence Day, "The consciousness of interdependence leads to the emergence of a veritable international community taking part, in solidarity, as a collective universal goal. The development of intercultural diplomacy and projects is the best way to create the necessary human bonds in order to make a true global community."
Dr. Benjamin Barber, author of the international best-seller Jihad vs. McWorld and founder of Interdependence Day, said "Interdependence Day was chosen as the day following September 11, a memorial day for the terrorist attacks, to confront the brutal new realities of interdependence: global warming, SARS, international crime, terrorism, war, and anarchic global markets; but also to offer an alternative to unilateralism, nationalism and war as a response to terrorism."
He continued, "In Morocco, we will have the chance to explore together alternatives to the extreme politics of war being conducted in the Middle East. This year's Interdependence Day will bring together global citizens from East and West, from the Islamic and Christian-Judaic worlds, from the United States and Europe, Africa and the Muslim world, for a conversation that is truly needed at this moment. We hope that this event will offer a small but significant chance for open, respectful and frank dialogue during these difficult months of impasse and non-communication, for Muslims and Arabs on the one hand, and Westerners on the other."
History of Interdependence Day
The first Interdependence Day was celebrated in Philadelphia in the United States and Budapest, Hungary. The second celebration took place in 2004 in Rome, Italy, supported by Pope John Paul II and hosted by Rome Mayor Walter Veltroni and European Commission President Romano Prodi (the present Prime Minister of Italy). It included the signing of a new European Charter of Interdependence.
In 2005, the third Interdependence Day was co-sponsored in Paris by Collegium International, founded by former French Prime Minister Michel Rocard, Slovenia President Milan Kucan, Ambassador Stephane Hessel, and Benjamin Barber. The fourth Interdependence Day in 2006 is a project initiated by the New York-based CivWorld and the Spirit of Fès Foundation, of Morocco with its U.S. based arm named The Spirit of Fès.
The Spirit of Fès Foundation is, a Morocco-based non-profit organization with the mission to act on both a national and international level, to initiate, coordinate, plan and present cultural and educational activities in Fès to promote peace and intercultural dialogue. With its international programs it aims to transport the message of peace and fellowship beyond Morocco's shores to the world. Its goals include: the initiation and development of a system of cooperation and partnerships with like-minded organizations to encourage global citizenship.
CivWorld's mission is to raise public awareness of these forces of interdependence and, along with the Declaration of Interdependence and an Interdependence Civics Curriculum being developed for schools, to forge a powerful organization of individual citizens and groups committed to global governance and international cooperation. Its principal initiative is the inauguration of a new international policy think-tank in New York City.
INFO for media and the public.
All events are open to the press and the public. Members of the press who wish to obtain credentials are asked to send a request to media@civworld.org or ghizlane.kounda@fesfestival.com. Forum participants will be available for print and broadcast media interviews. Further information about the schedule of events can be found at www.civworld.org. All colloquium sessions will be simultaneously translated into French, English and Arabic. Members of the public who desire to attend should email info@civworld.org.
Tags: Morocco Fes, Maghreb news
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