Freedom of Speech and caricatures vs. Respect of Religions : Clash or Alliance of Civilizations?

A Zoom conversation with Mr. Miguel Moratinos, High Representative for UNAOC, organized by the Aspen Institute of France

Following the recent events in Conflans Sainte Honorine with the beheading of teacher Samuel Paty and in Notre Dame Cathedral in Nice, and the Vienna shooting a few days later, France and Europe are hit again by fanatic attacks and murders committed in the name of Islam. The reaction by President Macron saying that France would not surrender its core value and freedom of expression, and the preparation of a law on “Islamic separatism” has generated fury in the Muslim world and the boycott of French products.

Should there be some limit in the freedom of speech and expression? Are we heading towards a new wave of terror and escalation of tensions?
25 years after the publication of the Clash of Civilizations and all attempts made to prevent it by promoting dialogue and alliance of Civilizations, can we say that Huntington’s predictions have prevailed? What could be the responses and the measures to be taken to guarantee mutual respect among religions and faiths and peaceful societies?

The Aspen Institute will host Miguel Moratinos, the Head of the UN body against extremism and radicalization, to discuss these sensitive issues and to seek his views in the global context.

The Aspen Institute France is an educational and policy studies organization based in Paris. Its mission is to foster leadership based on enduring values and to provide a nonpartisan venue for dealing with critical issues.