Latvian ex-president says understanding of different cultures is necessary
The list of human values will increase many times if its fundamental concepts are expanded to encompass democracy, free markets and so on, former Latvian president Valdis Zatlers said.
"The system of values under which various cultures and nations live, can be different and we need to learn and understand different cultures. We face with such differences in daily life. It is very important to know differences between cultures of various nations. For instance, it is often necessary to give a tip, but in Tokyo it is considered an insult," he said at the third Baku International Humanitarian Forum, which is being held from October 31 to November 1.
According to him, one of the components of human development is identity. Primary identity is determined in family and further, in the process of education, communication, existence in an environment another identity of a man, national identity is formed.
"A question arises: Is it possible to change the identity of an
individual, to reduce him to a common denominator? The only
experience in this sphere, the Soviet experience, crashed. In this
regard, the idea of multiculturalism and higher human values draws
attention," he said.
Meanwhile, Zatlers believes that alongside differences between
cultures, they have much in common and all - state, religion,
society- are responsible for understanding and improving relations
between the cultures.
Baku International Humanitarian Forum is an annual event that brings together outstanding representatives of political, scientific and cultural elite of the world, including well-known statesmen, Nobel Prize winners in various fields of science and heads of influential international organizations.
The purpose of the forum is to hold discussions and exchange views on a wide range of issues of concern to the entire humanity. The event aims to create a platform for constructive discussions, exchange ideas, theoretical and practical knowledge.
President Aliyev and former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev initiated the Forum in 2010.
Representatives of natural, social sciences and humanities, as well as the cultural elite of the world who have set the ambitious task of forming a new humanitarian agenda with a view to further considering it on the worldwide scale are the organizers and participants of the forum.