Cultures in Globalization [antikvár]

I am very pleased that, following our forums in Cairo, Tokyo and Beijing, our 2005 International Cultural Forum in New Delhi was not only our first event in India, but also one that took place in close, fortuitous cooperation with an Indian partner organization, the highly respected Rajiv Gandhi Foundation. The Bertelsmann Stiftung has been committed to encouraging social change in Germany since 1977. Through its reform efforts, the Rajiv Gandhi Institute for Contemporary Studies has also proven an important driver of social change in India. What could have been more appropriate than for both organizations to address together the key challenges of our time, within a European-Indian dialogue? I would like to thank all of those who contributed to making our forum a success. In particular, I would like to thank Sonia Gandhi, chair of the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, and the President of India, Dr. Abdul Kalam, who in personal conversations expressed their appreciation and support for our efforts to network the civil societies of Europe and India. Our partnership with the Nand & leet Khemka Foundation was also of inestimable value in ensuring the success of our New Delhi event. The Khemka family not only made an important contribution to the forum, they also supported us by creating an inspiring cultural setting for our discussions. The "Invocation to Peace" given by schoolchildren from New Delhi, as well as the concert by participants in the Neue Stimmen International Singing Competition, an event I originally initiated, and the musical and choreographic performances that brought a festive end to our forum have only reconfirmed my belief that music is our common language. It knows no bounds, whether national, religious nor cultural. In times of global interdependence it is all the more important to send a signal of trust - trust that cultural differences do not separate us as human beings, but enrich us. Such trust can only be won through dialogue. When we are in dialogue with each other, we come to know and understand our differences. When in dialogue, we also discover that many of humanity's core values have won an honored place in all of history's societies and cultures. When engaged in a dialogue among cultures, we become aware of these bridges, and they enable us to approach each other. With the International Cultural Forum in New Delhi we have taken a first step in this direction. Others will soon follow. Liz Mohn Chairwoman of the Bertelsmann Verwaltungsgesellschaft (BVG); Member of the Supervisory Board, Bertelsmann AG; Vice - Chairwoman of the Executive Board and of the Board of Trustees, Bertelsmann Stifäing, Gütersloh