Unity in diversity: The integrative approach to intercultural relations / Hans Köchler.

Format:

Book

Government document

Author/Creator:

Köchler, Hans, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

United Nations.

Local Subjects:

United Nations.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (4 pages)

Contained In:

UN Chronicle Vol. 49, no. 3, p. 7-10 49:3<7 1564-3913

Place of Publication:

[Place of publication not identified] : United Nations, 2012.

System Details:

text file

Summary:

In the history of institutionalized relations between states, the preservation of peace and stability has always been a predominant concern-an ideal that is also enunciated in the Preamble to the Charter of the United Nations. The gap between the idea of peace and the reality of tension and conflict, however, has proven to be a major challenge to the world organization ever since its foundation after World War II-and that challenge was not only due to conflicting political and economic interests. Situations of conflict often arise in a complex setting of historical, social, cultural and political interaction between communities; accordingly, they must be dealt with in a multifaceted and integrative manner. In order to "practice tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbours", as the peoples of the United Nations proclaim in the Preamble to the Charter, we first have to understand each other, or appreciate each other's way of life and socio-cultural identity. This is only possible if we are knowledgeable about our distinct cultures, traditions and value systems. This truth is also reflected in the Constitution of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) according to which "ignorance of each other's ways and lives has been a common cause, throughout the history of mankind", of suspicion and mistrust through which their differences have "all too often broken into war".

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