W
hile
inaugurating a 2- day
International
Ministerial level
conference
on "Dialogue Among
Civilizations : Quest for New Perspectives", organized by the MHRD under the Chairmanship of
Prof.
Murli Manohar Joshi, at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi, the
Prime Minister Shri
Atal Bihari Vajpayee said that broadening, deepening and sustaining the
dialogue process could only create
a future without wars and violence and
achieve sustainable development. The dialogue is the only answer to
preserve cultural identity and to advance the cause
of human rights,
economic and gender justice. The Prime Minister emphasized that humanity’s
future would witness a concert or confluence of civilizations. He
further pointed out that presently there is an excessive focus on material
progress and the ‘human element’ is lacking
in this progress. The pheno-
menon of dialogue among civilizations is the result of the modern man’s
search for answers for ideal and peaceful society which meets all
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human needs of body, mind and soul. The world is
becoming increasingly inter-dependent and the study of cultures and
civilizations and the faiths are very much required in search for a better
and peaceful world. The conference was chaired by Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi,
Minister for Human Resource Development, Science & Technology and
Ocean Development and addressed by Mr. Koichiro Matsuura,
Director-General, UNESCO and ministerial delegates from over 50 countries
besides philosophers, academics and representatives of International
organizations.
Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi in his presidential address said that the
obstacles in the progress of human civilization are – intolerance and
aggression, engendered by ignorance. The ignorance can be cleared by a new
mode of awareness and action that promotes diversity, interchange,
assimilation, synthesis and enrichment. He emphasized that the dialogue is
the most fruitful instrument
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to overcome these obstacles. He further stated that
concerted action is needed to develop a curriculum which can provide to
the students the lessons that the entire humanity should be seen as one
vast surge of adventure. The future progress of humankind is bound up with
the development of a new science and art of living together which
necessitates adherence to the law of mutuality rather than conflict and
the law of varied expression rather than any uniform monotone. Education
should aim at strengthening democratic and universal human values and
respect human rights. Education is the most powerful instrument for
preparing a mind which can promote the culture of dialogue, Dr. Joshi
added.
During the two days conference deliberations were held on themes of
education and cultural diversity; instruments of global dialogue; science
and technology, humanities and social sciences; the new frontiers for
global unity and connectivity between civilizations; and ethical and
spiritual values underlying the dialogue of civilizations.
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The Committee met on 29 th
July, 2003 and deliberated on various aspects of mutual co-operation and
joint programmes to promote academic activities in the areas of
Humanities, Arts & Languages. The following points for mutual
co-operation and joint programmes were deliberated :
1. In which areas can we explore the possibilities of
joint academic activity with the respective Councils?
2. What are the methods by which we can promote
interest among students in the areas of human sciences, arts and
languages? Just as the various academies of sciences in the country are
adopting methods for identifying young talents to go for higher education
in sciences, is there a possibility to identify such talents in these
areas also and to provide them a few scholarships, bursaries etc. in each
of the subjects?
3. What are the steps we need to take for restructuring curriculum and
reorganizing undergraduate and post-graduate education? Why not the
various National Councils be partners with the UGC for the
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academic coordination of these disciplines?
4. Identification of thrust areas for research in
Social Sciences, Humanities, Languages and Arts for focused support.
5. Coordination of efforts of UGC and the National
Councils in academic and cultural exchange programmes, national and
international.
6. Collaboration of UGC with the National Councils in
the organization of workshops, seminars in universities & colleges.
The Committee identified the following action points.
1. Seminars/Conferences for college and university
teachers could be organized jointly in subjects of common interest.
2. Assistance towards travel for participation in
conference & seminars could be made 100% by co-ordinating the funding
through different Councils. There should be exchange between faculty of
universities and colleges and that of various institutes of the different
Councils.
3. In order to promote interests among students in the areas of
Humanities, Arts
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and Languages, under graduate scholarships may be
created by the different Councils and UGC.
4. Post Graduate scholarships may be instituted and
good publication works could be rewarded.
5. Thrust area programmes in the various subjects
coming under the Councils may be identified jointly by the UGC and the
respective Councils for research support by UGC.
6. Two or three centres for integrated studies in
Humanities, Social Sciences, Arts and Languages may be established in
different parts of the country as has already been done by the Commission
for Sciences.
7. A Co-ordination Committee to be formulated with
representatives from different Councils which may further work out the
possibilities of joint programmes, to identify the thrust areas and
formulate specific plan of action.
8. The expertise available with various National Councils may also be
utilized in Refresher Courses conducted by the UGC.
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