Update:Transcripts for the session are available now in two parts. Read part 1 & part 2.
The Clinton Global Initiative is running its annual meeting this week, and while I’m not quite familiar with their work so far, one of their focus areas is Mitigating Religious and Ethnic Conflict, which got my attention as it seems to be related to some of the general topics I discuss here. In particular a session entitled “Bridging the Transnational Cultural Divide”:
This session will move to the broader level of intercultural communication, misunderstanding and conflict [...] and of growing cultural stereotypes, with westerners seen by Muslims as patronizing and domineering, and Muslims seen by westerners as fanatical and intolerant
While transcripts are not available yet, there is at least one person blogging live from the event. My favourite news program “The Daily Show” had Bill Clinton as a guest to promote the event:
I was particularly impressed with the pragmatism of the organization and its 52 ways to make a difference, among which the following seemed bang on for those who follow this space:
- Attend a religious service other than your own.
- Organize screenings of films dealing with issues of cross-cultural conflict and tolerance.
- Organize inter-ethnic or inter-religious community work efforts.
- Bring people with diverse backgrounds together via sports/company social activities.
- Learn about different religions and educate employees or community members about them.
- Create a program to share “best practices” on ethnic diversity
I’m tempted to update the “participate” page on this site to include some of these.
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