Berlin Communiqué
on Dialogue and Coexistence among
Civilizations and Cultures

In accordance with the United Nations General Assembly resolutions to proclaim 2000 year of the Culture of Peace, and 2001 Year of Dialogue among Civilizations;

Within the framework of co-operation between the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (ISESCO), the Muslim World League, and the Khoei Charitable Foundation, and under the supervision of these three organisations and at their invitation; was held in Berlin, capital city of the Federal Republic of Germany, on 5 July 2000, an international symposium on "Dialogue and Coexistence among Civilizations and Cultures".

We the participants in the Symposium,

Seeking to reinforce the concept of dialogue and coexistence among civilizations and cultures, build up an integrated civilizational edifice, and give substance to our common will to muster up our efforts in order to forge a prosperous future for mankind;

Adhering fully to human values, and abiding by the principles of international law inspired from the gist of successive human civilizations and cultures throughout ages;

Being duty-bound towards future generations, and seeking to guarantee their right to free life in dignity on this globe in accordance with the values of justice, righteousness and peace;

Desirous to contribute to supporting the efforts exerted by the international community on many levels to affirm peace and security world-wide and spread a climate of tolerance and coexistence among peoples and nations through enhancing objective, unbiased dialogue among civilizations and cultures;

We affirm the following principles :

First : Dialogue is an inevitable necessity, indeed a human duty and a prerequisite for peaceful coexistence. In addition to the convergence of wills, this dialogue requires commitment to all the objectives likely to foster human values and principles that constitute the common denominator of all civilizations and cultures.

Second : Dialogue and coexistence among civilizations and cultures contributes, to a large extent, to rapprochement among peoples and nations as well as to removal of obstacles arising from mutual misunderstanding and value judgements that stem from erroneous misconceptions. Niched deep in the collective memory, these value judgements are nurtured by the people of a given culture vis-à-vis the culture of another people. Consequently, continuing dialogue and expanding its scope is a mission that lies with intellectuals and all cultural and scientific figures. In fact, it is the responsibility of all those concerned with the future of mankind.

Third : To be more efficient and useful, dialogue mandates the creation of further international forums in many regions. This initiative must be taken by institutions and organizations with similar interests as well as by universities and cultural and academic circles. However, these forums must focus efforts on the dissemination of dialogue and coexistence values in order to pave the way before rapprochement and understanding and strengthen the ties linking peoples and nations.

Fourth : It is necessary to continue co-operation with a view to organizing further regional and international symposia on dialogue and coexistence among civilizations and cultures. It is also primordial to foster interaction with Western organizations, institutions and universities in order to take part in this co-operation, the aim being to achieve mutual human interests and enhance international co-operation in this vital intellectual and cultural concern.

Fifth : Dialogue among cultures and civilizations must not be dominated by historical concerns. Only then can we ward off issues extraneous to the modern times. It must rather deal with topics preoccupying mankind, and must seek solutions inspired from different civilizations and cultures.

Sixth : It is imperative to build dialogue among civilizations and cultures on the basis of mutual respect amongst all heirs of these cultures and civilizations. In addition to safeguarding the principles of right, justice and equity, this dialogue must give impetus to the international community's endeavour to enhance tolerance and maintain peace, security and comprehensive cultural and civilisational coexistence amongst all humankind.