Clash of civilizations

Neglected indigenous food can be important tool to fight hunger – UN official

Indigenous foods which have been neglected by the food industry and urban consumers can be an important tool to alleviate hunger and malnutrition, a United Nations official said today. 

www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=42129&Cr=hunger&Cr1=

Ban urges Alliance of Civilizations to fight extremism, promote tolerance

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged members of the Alliance of Civilizations today to combat extremism and promote tolerance at a time when universal values are being tested in many parts of the world, particularly in countries undergoing political transitions.

“Again and again, we are reminded that our differences are nothing compared to our shared humanity,” Mr. Ban said in his remarks to the opening session of the fourth United Nations Alliance of Civilizations Forum in Doha, Qatar.

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=40697&Cr=alliance

Clash of civilizations

Role of Alliance of Civilizations more vital than ever, say UN officials

With its ability to foster cross-cultural understanding among peoples and societies, the Alliance of Civilizations initiative is crucial in the struggle to combat intolerance, extremism and bigotry worldwide, United Nations officials stressed today. 

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=39725&Cr=tolerance&Cr1=

UN official extols role of mother languages in spreading knowledge The head ...

UN official extols role of mother languages in spreading knowledge

The head of the United Nations agency tasked with preserving the world's cultural heritage and promoting education today highlighted the importance of mother languages, stressing their role as sources of human knowledge and creativity, and vehicles of cultural expression.

“Mother languages, along with linguistic diversity, matter for the identity of individuals. As sources of creativity and vehicles for cultural expression, they are also important for the health of societies,” said Irina Bokova, the Director-General of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), in a message to mark International Mother Language Day.

This year's Day focuses on the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) for safeguarding and promoting languages and linguistic diversity.

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=37578&Cr=UNESCO&Cr1=

NEWSMAKER: UN messenger Paulo Coelho rejects idea of clash of civilizations...

NEWSMAKER: UN messenger Paulo Coelho rejects idea of clash of civilizations

United Nations Messenger of Peace Paulo Coelho gives short shrift to those who claim there is a clash of civilizations.

“I don’t believe in it. It’s something some political leaders tried to use, and that the media tried and are still trying to sell us, in order to simplify the world and their work,” the renowned Brazilian author told the UN News Centre in an interview.

“When they talk about a ‘clash of civilizations,’ it’s just a way to separate things but the reality, and what I see, is that we are much closer than we think. I was in China recently. I spoke to normal people and heard the same stories I would hear in Brazil. So where is the clash of civilisations? There is none.”

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=37146&Cr=civilization&Cr1