Mikhail Gorbachev’s Address to the Forum organized by the Center for Dialogue among Civilizations

I am grateful for the invitation to attend this conference. In today’s complex world, at a time when events develop at a rapid pace and often quite unpredictably, forums that bring together statesmen, experts and representatives of the public are particularly important. I hope that this conference, held as part of the Fahad Al Salem’s Center’s initiative for Dialogue among Civilizations, will produce interesting ideas of practical value to international politics.

Today, the idea of dialogue among civilizations is of extraordinary relevance. As one region after another embarks on a path of change, it is acquiring a political dimension.

In the phrase “dialogue among civilizations” both parts are important. I am referring, first and foremost, to the very concept of civilization as a unique community of people, its cultural and historical heritage, way of life and thinking. It is extremely important to preserve the world’s civilizational diversity. We must not allow globalization to become a steamroller that would erase the special character of civilizations and cultures.

But – and this is equally important – civilizations should not turn in on themselves. To develop and adjust to the demands of the times, dialogue, interaction and mutual enrichment are vitally important. They reveal both what unites us on the basis of the universal human values of humanism, freedom and solidarity, and those unique characteristics that enable each nation to create its own history.

We must all learn to live in a global world, to build relations within countries and on the international arena in line with democratic principles. We must understand that in a rapidly changing world all of us need to change and that no one has a monopoly on truth. In relations with other countries, peoples and cultures, no one is entitled to impose their will as “the only correct solution.”

What we need above all is respect for every nation and every human community, an understanding of their historic and cultural specificities. This principle is of key importance for the prevention and settlement of conflicts, both within and between countries. Ignoring it has often resulted in major political errors and miscalculations. Being aware of this principle and implementing it in practice: this is where the idea of dialogue among civilizations directly links up with security.

Dialogue among civilizations could also play an important role in the search for answers to the other main challenges confronting mankind in the twenty-first century – eradicating backwardness and poverty and solving the problems of the environment.
I am convinced that common tasks will bring nations and civilizations closer together on a common path to a safe and just future.

It is significant that the initiative to hold this conference as part of the Dialogue project was born in Kuwait – a country that I hold in high regard and hope to visit.

The Arab world, being a part of the ancient Islamic civilization with a great history and, without doubt, great potential, has now reached an important watershed in its development. Change is always difficult and calls for responsible action. What is particularly important now is for all political forces in the countries of the Middle East and Northern Africa, as well as all those present here, to be guided by the real interests of the nations of this key region, rather than by anyone’s vested interests or selfish goals.

For too long the development of this region was thwarted and undermined by the actions of those who pursued their own narrow self-interest, by conflicts and contradictions that were often injected from outside.

At this crucial stage much will depend primarily on the choices to be made by the peoples and political leaders of the countries in the region. I have serious grounds to believe that their choice will be mature and that it will ultimately enable the Arab Islamic world to take a proper place in mankind’s movement to a better future.

The role to be played by outside forces will also be important. Their most vital contribution to successful development of Arab societies and to progress toward democracy would be to help find a long-overdue resolution of the Middle East conflict, which for decades has been poisoning the lives of people in the region and hindering its socio-economic development.

As someone who is familiar with this region and has visited it on a number of occasions and as former co-chairman of the Madrid peace conference on the Middle East, I am convinced that a settlement is possible. The fundamental principles agreed in Madrid and further developed in the well-known “road map” are simple and indispensable. During my visits I have often been asked whether I think we must “return to Madrid.” My reply is that, at the very least, all the positive elements inherited from those years should be retained.

Peace in the region will take an enormous psychological burden off people’s hearts and will fully reveal the humanistic content of the great religion of Islam, which, like all world religions, carries the message of peace and conciliation. At some point in time and under certain circumstances, this factor might prove decisive. I hope one day this will indeed happen.

I wish participants in the forum every success. May all of you enjoy a lively and fruitful debate.