Analysis : Diversity of Cultures
Alice in Concreteland

"Make universal solidarity a reality by fostering friendship and peace": this is the objective set by the fruitful workshop Respect, Tolerance, and Dialogue among Cultures. "Don't worry, this is not just a matter of dealing with concepts: we have to make specific proposals, which will be included in a Paper that will be given to the authorities."
Sure, but how are these good intentions going to be translated into something specific? At this workshop, His Grace Ruiz, a Mexican bishop, was talking to a young Palestinian; Chinese and Kazakhs were sitting together. And it was Alice, a young Czech university student, who suddenly became aware of the incredibly fruitful experience all the participants were having. "We need to make specific proposals, right, but why don't we start talking here and now, among ourselves? It is here, among ourselves, that we can start this thinking process: each participant can tell the others of their experiences in their countries." This comment immediately changed the day's agenda. Alice, first, spoke of her work with young people in the Czech Republic who do have lost their values, who want quick and immediate answers to their problems." Since the fall of the iron curtain, young people, here and there, dream of getting easy money, of consuming unrestrainedly." Is behaving like Americans what happiness is about?" asked Alice.
Alice had no answer to the question, but her conviction could be seen in her eyes. Nonetheless, the debate was open because it concerned virtually all the civilizations longing for development.
Through the impetus given by Alice, the workshop became a vast forum. Luis, a Mexican priest, spoke of the difficult dialogue, even today, with the native populations of Central America; Nadir, a Palestinian, wondered how a dialogue was going to be possible in the Middle East, where, he said, "fundamental rights are not respected." A Chinese artist, on his part, encouraged all the participants to avoid by any means "saying no to the world. The solution is to participate." And quoted the proverb about faith and moving mountains.
Anyway: Thank you, Alice!