In the Name of the Almighty

The NAM Ministerial meeting on Human Rights and Cultural Diversity

Tehran,September 3-4th 2007

Introduction:

  At the 14th NAM Summit in Havana (Cuba) in September 2006, proposal of the Islamic Republic of Iran for holding Ministerial meeting on Human Rights and Cultural Diversity was adopted by Member states. In its final statement the Havana NAM Summit welcomed the proposal of the Islamic Republic of Iran for hosting the Ministerial meeting on Human Rights and Cultural Diversity in Tehran in September 2007 and called for active participation of all member states in the said meeting.

  Following the required preparations,made in this respect,it was decided the NAM Ministerial meeting on Human Rights and Cultural Diversity to be held in Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran, within September 3-4, 2007.

Objectives and Principles:

 Cultural diversity is widely interrelated to a number of fundamental concepts including the right to self determination, respect for all, tolerance, intercultural dialogue and enrichment of universality of the human rights. Such key elements are deeply enriching and interdependent on each other.

 We believe all societies and nations with diverse cultural, historical and religious backgrounds while enjoying their own characteristics and adhering to their own cultural and religious values, share the role with respect to the general concept of universality of human rights. In this context promotion of intercultural dialogue for reaching a universal definition of the human rights shall be given high priority and to this end as a the first step, respect for cultural diversity will prepare the ground for this dialogue. The evolutionary trend of history is indicative of this fact that certain cultures have made communications with other cultures and in the course of centuries, while adhering to their principles engaged in mutually enriching process of cultural interaction.

In fact this cultural interaction among different cultures and the cultural exchanges among them have remarkably helped to the survival of different human cultures and civilizations. This diversity of cultures and exchange of views and values among them gradually paved the way for scientific and technological progress in certain parts of the world. This is what presently we call as the common human heritage. The common heritage which have provided the basis for the establishment of common and global values throughout the world.

  On the other hand the phenomenon of globalization, as its part, has had different impacts upon the cultural diversity. The globalization facilitated the process for cultural adjustment and imposition of foreign cultures. Advocates of cultural expansionist policies are trying to globalize their cultural system and eliminate other cultural values by presenting a distorted image of the latter to the world. Their persistence in this respect will only lead to separation and isolation of other cultures as well as promotion of intolerance and racism.

Initiative of the Islamic Republic of Iran in hosting and holding the NAM Ministerial meeting on Human Rights and Cultural Diversity is considered as an exquisite opportunity for raising viewpoints of developing countries on the above mentioned subject and other important related issues. Given the large number of NAM member states and the Ministerial level of this meeting, holding of this meeting is of paramount importance and sensitivity. The NAM Ministerial meeting on Human Rights and Cultural Diversity will bring about further promotion of solidarity among member states, promotion of NAM role in international interaction especially with respect to the human rights and cultural diversity and will be considered as a complement to the member states’ activities in other developing countries related international efforts.

The Level of Participation:

 The Tehran NAM Ministerial meeting on Human Rights and Cultural Diversity will be held at the level of Foreign Ministers and other concerned Ministers of NAM member states. For this purpose the related invitation has been extended by H.E. Manuchehr Mottaki, Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran, to Foreign Ministers of all NAM member states for their participation in the said meeting .

Venue of the meeting:

 The NAM Ministerial meeting on Human Rights and Cultural Diversity will be held at IRIB International meeting Center in Tehran, capital of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Date of the meeting:

 The NAM Ministerial meeting on Human Rights and Cultural Diversity will be held in Tehran on September 3-4th 2007.                                      

Contact information of Organizing Committee:

Address: Tehran, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bld. No. 8/2, -1 level, Room No. 12

Tel. no.

+ 98 – 21 – 61154355

+ 98 – 21- 6115 4369

+ 98 – 21 - 61154524

Telefax:

+ 98 – 21 - 61154528

Fax:

+ 98 – 21 – 66704763

e-mail:

teh.nam@mfa.gov.ir