The conference was held in Lisbon on the 21st July and was organised by the UN High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations, President Jorge Sampaio. The debate that followed was introduced by Ambassador Maximo Cajal, the Spanish Focal Point for the Alliance of Civilizations.
Mounting tensions and internal contradictions that affect all societies in the Arab world and in the West, new confrontations, identity and culture, religious, ethical and social values at the core of Muslim societies, and the Muslim and Western agendas for the future were some of the topics addressed by Professor Serageldin. In his concluding remarks, he stressed that despite the radicalisation of some sectors of Muslim societies, the reform in Arab and Muslim world is necessary and achievable, provided it is underpinned by a comprehensive vision, covering political, economic, social and cultural aspects. In Professor Serageldin’s views, freedom of expression, human rights and democracy are driving forces to push forward reforms and realizing security, peace, justice, equity and inclusion.
Diplomats, scholars and opinion makers, who attended the Conference, raised several issues during the debate, such as: the importance of the rule of Law and Democracy in Islamic societies; how to answer to the challenge of modernizing without westernizing; and how to counter extreme violence and hatred.