World leaders endorse peace pledges amid wars in Gaza, Lebanon and beyond

Harnessing the power of artificial intelligence (AI) and combating hate speech as well as false and misleading information is part of our plan to strengthen peace and mutual understanding as Head of State States and governments, including kings, presidents and prime ministers from Cape Verde, Senegal and Spain, unanimously adopted the Cascais Declaration.

Named after the city hosting the 10th Global Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations from November 25 to 27, the declaration outlines a series of actions and focuses on solutions for the Trust is eroding and anti-Semitism, nationalism and online hate are on the rise.

UN says: “These are very difficult times” Secretary General António Guterres at the opening session of the forum. “In such a context, we need peace” now, in Gaza, Lebanon, Sudan and Ukraine and beyond.

The adoption of this declaration is at the heart of the 10th Global Forum, which includes a driving force Youth forums and film festivals on Monday, the Center for Intercultural Innovation ceremony on Tuesday and vibrant workshops throughout, addressing current challenges ranging from the rise of anti-Semitism to youth power.

“We need voice and action at all levels,” said Mr. Guterres, including in communities, online, and across cultures and institutions, using all tools available.

Learn more about the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations and its Global Forum in our explainer This.

Highlights of the Cascais Declaration

The 25-paragraph declaration highlights a series of innovative actions and keys to achieving this much-needed peace. It notes the potential for using AI as a tool to promote intercultural and interreligious dialogue, and emphasizes the importance of countering misinformation, disinformation and hate speech while enhancing information integrity.

The Cascais Declaration also emphasizes the importance of intergenerational dialogue for peace, sustainable development and human rights; recognizes the contribution of “sports diplomacy” as a tool to promote dialogue and emphasizes the need to support and strengthen the role of women as negotiators, mediators and architects create peace.

According to the provisions of the Convention, world leaders and partners commit to:

• Emphasize the need to combat all forms of religious intolerance
• Recognizing the central role of inclusive, quality and transformative education in promoting dialogue, peace and human rights
• Recognize the role of religious leaders in conflict mediation and development cooperation
• Emphasize the positive impact that safe, orderly and regular migration can have on countries of origin and destination, including through promoting cultural pluralism and encouraging vision Youth creativity to prevent xenophobia and highlight positive stories of cultural diversity, social inclusion and mobility
• Please pay attention to the adoption of these Pact for the futurerecognizes the role of revitalized multilateralism and the importance of the voices of religious leaders and religious organizations in promoting a culture of peace

The declaration also emphasized the importance of encouraging implementation of the United Nations Plan of Action for the Protection of Religious Sites and called for implementation of the recommendations and commitments to be made at the Global Conference of the United Nations on the protection of religious sites, will convene on Wednesday during the conference. 10th Global Forum

War in Gaza is not civilized

Before the declaration was adopted, the head of the United Nations and world leaders spoke, including Prime Minister Aminata Touré of Senegal, who drew attention to the brutal war taking place. in Gaza.

“When we see what is happening in Gaza, with more than 42,000 victims, mostly civilians, what does civilization mean in such a context?” she asked. “As civilization is about ‘you kill one of my people, I’ll kill 34.16 of yours,’ so far, that’s been the rate of Israeli retaliation for attacks that have been widely condemned and intolerable in October 2023. Don’t seeing these unbearable scenes on television make any discussion of civilization irrelevant?”

She said that there is no other way to solve the problem of civility than to discuss based on the equal rights embedded in UN Charter and international framework.

King Don Felipe VI of Spain told delegates that “in the 21st century, diplomacy is an instrument of peace, but its traditional tools are outdated and need to be supplemented by operational areas.” new, bolder, more creative and more pragmatic movements.

‘We must raise our sights’

“We must raise our sights to understand more deeply what binds us together,” said King Don Felipe VI. “The Alliance of Civilizations is about practicing what is called values ​​diplomacy, tearing down walls and building bridges,” he added. “Our action must go beyond conference rooms, schools, places where people gather and marketplaces.”

In this regard, social media has the potential to be a catalyst for this issue, he said, pointing to the Union’s Youth Solidarity Fund, featured on first day of the 10th Global Forum.

However, he said there is still a lot of work to be done. At a time when dehumanization is a growing problem, he emphasized that efforts must be aimed at eradicating stereotypes and ensuring that the richness of human diversity people will bring benefits to everyone.

‘Rebuilding trust is essential’

Similarly, UN Secretary General Guterres said that the lack of peace is leading to an erosion of trust, making the work of the Alliance of Civilizations more important than ever.

“Rebuilding trust is our essential task,” he said.

“Hate-filled madness is perpetuating prejudices and misconceptions,” the UN chief said. Unregulated digital platforms and AI have given hate speech a speed and reach never seen before. We must restrain hate speech and misinformation from spreading online.”

Next step: A global alliance for peace

Union High Representative Miguel Ángel Moratinos renewed his call for a coalition for peace to end violence, extremism and war in the 21st century.

“Biodiversity needs to be protected, but what about human diversity?” he asked.

“We need to be at peace with nature and we need to be at peace with ourselves,” he said, stressing that the Alliance is the best platform to do that.

Stay tuned for more updates as the 10th Global Forum continues, with the Center for Intercultural Innovation ceremony later on Tuesday and convening sessions through Wednesday on issues Current topics range from sports diplomacy and religious mediation for peace to the soft power of AI and leveraging this role of women of peace.