ALIGARH, April 21: A Extra Mural lecture entitled 'Cultural diplomacy and conflict resolution' was organized under the auspicious of Centre of West Asian Studies, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh. In his welcome speech, Prof. Mohd. Gulrez, Chairman, Department of West Asian Studies, highlighted the activities of the centre. He emphasized that while in depth study of history, economy, polity and culture of a given state is vital to our understanding, new factors like economic, diplomacy, trade, new regionalism, decline of UN, rising tide of ethnicity and terrorism have added new dimension to our studies in the centre. He welcomed the gust speakers, which include Maulana Dr. Kalbe Sadiq, and H.E. Ambasador Bal Anand and tanked them for choosing the topic for the discussion of such vital importance.
Speaking on the topic of 'Cultural Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution' H.E The Ambassador Bal Anand (former Ambassador & Diplomat to Armenia, Saudi Arabia, Romania, New Zealand and Nicaragua Aramenia) said that the impact of culture on the conduct of modern diplomacy is unquestionable. Culture is a powerful instrument in the hands of diplomats to pursue national interest in an un intrusive, intelligent, convincing and cost-effective manner. Culture is utilized actively in bilateral and multilateral diplomacy to foster intercultural understanding and meaningful dialogue between nations. He was, however of the opinion that it is also a tool of conflict resolution and comes under the domain of public diplomacy. To him Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was a good architect of cultural diplomacy because of his own understanding of the world culture and civilization. During his talk he further reiterated the establishment of Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ACCR) and Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) is the result of this forward looking outlook of our visionary leaders. He emphasized that this is the tool, diplomats and peoples representative at large should understand and apply in their day to day dealings. In the age of globalization, Nations like Russia should realize that they are more needed today and they have to play more positive role. He mentioned that he is very pleased to visit the Centre of West Asian Studies, its academic profile and research activities.
The second speaker, Prominent Muslim Scholar and Vice president of Muslim Personal law Board, Maulana Dr. Kalbe Sadiq asked the scholars and students that nations and Individuals are recognized by their cultures and deeds and not alone by their religions. One has to be judicious to be respected. He said that he is very impressed to be here and will visit again to consult its library.
Prof Memoodul Haq, Former Dean, Faculty of Social Science in his presidential remarks emphasized that studies of Culture should be taken up in a more broader context as it is through this peoples participation in civic and political life is refined and reflected.
(Zeeshan Ahmad)
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