Azernews.Az

By Gulgiz Dadashova

A declaration was adopted on the results of the Third Baku International Humanitarian Forum, which brought together politicians, scholars and representatives of culture, education, civil society and the mass media from around the world in Baku on October 31- November 1.


In the declaration, the participants recognized that the current level of development of information technology, world communications and transport systems and the growing opportunities for the global mobilization of human potential create the conditions for a new level of dialogue between cultures and civilizations.

They drew attention to the fact that the stimulus of the economy, founded on the uninterrupted increase of consumption, should inevitably have its resource, ethical and humanitarian limitations. In this regard, the participants called on the political, cultural and scientific elite, international organizations and representatives of civil society to strengthen cooperation in the era of globalization in line with the demands of the new humanitarian ethics that are coming into their own.

"We note that the contemporary challenges and threats related to the convergence of managerial and production technology have acquired a global character and demand increased attention from the international community from the point of view of the exposure of new dominant factors in the development of society," the document reads.


The participants also recognized that the development of human potential through the transformation of scientific innovations in the education system occupies a central place in efforts to ensure the sustainability of the development process and that reinforcing cooperation in this area is the most important humanitarian component of development;


The document also notes the achievements of many countries, including Azerbaijan, in multiculturalism and considers it necessary to study the experience acquired as a component of the state policy of different countries aimed at achieving consensus in society.


Special attention in the document is paid to the need to cover the problems of multiculturalism in the media in order to avert xenophobia, racism, intolerance, and also in order to shape a culture of tolerance.


The participants of the forum also expressed conviction that in the postmodern era a careful and respectful attitude towards different manifestations of national self-awareness, patience, dialogue and cooperation in an atmosphere of trust and mutual understanding are the best guarantees of peace and security.

The document affirmed the need to use the principles of sustainable development and call on all countries to ensure planning and consumption at a level of sensible sufficiency and to achieve a way of life that meets the demands of ecological civilization.

The participants once again called on international structures and different humanitarian organizations to systematically hold forums, conferences, discussions and round tables with the aim of holding a dialogue of cultures and creating an atmosphere of tolerance.

"We note the need to hold this type of forum every year and express our deep gratitude to the President and government of Azerbaijan, the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and all the organizers of the Baku International Humanitarian Forum for holding such a major event, turning Baku this year into a centre of discussion of humanitarian problems," the document reads.


The participants of the forum considered it necessary to pass this declaration and use it with the aim of organizing international humanitarian cooperation and assistance to ensure effective coordination in this regard.

Baku International Humanitarian Forum is a high-profile global scientific and political platform for tackling the challenges facing humanity in the 21st century, holding dialogue, discussions and exchange of views on a wide range of issues of humanitarian cooperation.

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.

With its rich traditions of cooperation among different cultures, civilizations and religions, Azerbaijan is the ideal venue for holding such events.