On The Chair of The Alliance of Civilizations

The official inauguration of the Chair of the Alliance of Civilizations, which I have the honor to preside over, took place at the Euro-Mediterranean University of Fez, established by the 43 member states of the Union for the Mediterranean. 

This is the first chair of its kind created by the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations. The event was attended by 1,800 people, including prominent global figures such as Mr. Miguel Ángel Moratinos, High Representative of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations; Mr. Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy; and representatives from international organizations such as UNESCO, the Vatican, ISESCO, the United Nations, religious leaders, and international experts.

The establishment of this global chair in the city of Fez and at the Euro-Mediterranean University is rooted in the historical role of Fez as a capital of the alliance of civilizations and cultural diversity.

It also honors the historical contribution of the world’s oldest university, Al-Qarawiyyin University, which has institutionalized human and civilizational values over the centuries.

The world is not in a good state. It is unstable, with regions facing ongoing crises in the Middle East, Europe, and Africa. The number of actors in the complex international environment has increased, and the global system is now characterized by selfishness, betrayal, uncertainty, the dominance of power, double standards, the erosion of post-World War II international organizations, and mutual distrust.

 As Mr. Josep Borrell noted during the inauguration, actors in the new international relations use trade, investment, internal strategic interests, mobility, and services as weapons. Western democracy, once celebrated by philosophers, politicians, and writers, is shrinking in favor of new authoritarian and patriarchal rules, as seen in several European countries.

The crises in Ukraine and the Middle East have undermined the global system as defined by the United Nations Charter after World War II. The resurgence of "isolationism" in U.S. foreign policy, prioritizing “America First” over traditional governance norms, has left America's strategic allies in Europe and NATO in a difficult position.

This has eroded trust among international actors, within the global system, and in the principles of global trade and the economy, as well as within societies. Hence, the theme of the international conference held alongside the inauguration of the Chair of the Alliance of Civilizations was "Rebuilding Trust for a Unified and Diverse World." 

The conference emphasized the importance of collective action to restore trust in the future, strengthen trust within societies, and revive trust as a cornerstone of cooperation among nations.

Diagnosing the global system in such bleak terms without action is unacceptable. We must focus on the future of generations by rebuilding trust and making it a determinant in international relations, societies, and education systems. We must address barriers that hinder peaceful coexistence, find solutions to eliminate social inequalities and crises that make secure living difficult for millions, and influence policies that shape the present and future with risks and fears.

Reforming cognitive frameworks that guide human thought and behavior is essential.

We need to educate a generation that believes in the supremacy of balanced, credible, and realistic international law and applies it in practice. Equal partnerships, balanced relationships, and mutual respect are necessary.

For these reasons, the Chair of the Alliance of Civilizations offers specialized university training in this field. It has established master's programs in international conflict resolution, attended by students from various countries, and taught by international judges, senior representatives of international organizations, academics, and global experts who believe in coexistence.

It also has a doctoral school where students of diverse nationalities conduct research on the Alliance of Civilizations and peaceful conflict resolution. Additionally, the chair organizes training programs, international forums, and workshops, encouraging young people worldwide to engage in positive theorizing and influence the future of the world.

This chair believes that the Alliance of Civilizations and intelligent, pragmatic conflict resolution are both an urgent necessity and a moral and humanitarian duty. It embodies the highest values of global civilization and the traits of a balanced human personality. It fosters mutual understanding among peoples and communities, leading to the convergence and cross-pollination of civilizations. This is the path of the wise, the choice of the prudent, and a shared human responsibility borne by our generation and future generations to build a unified and diverse global community.