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Home > WCO 2004 > Endorsement |
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Messages of Endorsement |
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Kofi Annan
Secretary-General of the United Nations
"I am delighted to send my warm greetings to this first global festival of the World Culture Open initiative... The goals and ideals of the WCO complement those of the United Nations. The WCO's message of humanity and peace, dialogue and understanding is needed today as never before, as is positive and constructive effort by civil society and the private sector to bridge the dangerous gap of intolerance, ignorance and miscommunication between cultures. By bringing together artists and musicians, officials, intellectuals and businessmen from some 50 countries, you encourage the sharing and mutual appreciation of cultural heritage, customs and traditions... I thank everyone of you of your commitment to our common ideal of global peace, and wish you all the best for a splendid festival."
Michael Bloomberg
Mayor of New York City
"In order to have peace, there must first be understanding, and the World Culture Open calls all of us to learn more about our world's cultures and communities. Cultural diversity is not a cause for fear; rather, it can serve as an inspiration, giving us new insights and perspectives and reminding us that no matter what our backgrounds, we all struggle, we all hope, and we all dream of a better world. As the world's second home, the city of New York is proud to host an event that helps us turn our dreams into reality."
Mohktar Lamani
Ambassador to the UN for Organization of the Islamic Conference
"The best strategy to fight against terrorism is to eliminate ignorance and prejudice between different cultures. Tensions and conflicts in this world will diminish remarkably if people come to a better understanding of different cultural backgrounds. This is why WCO's efforts are so critical in this era of pervasive terrorism. WCO's innovative initiatives to promote cultural exchange and understanding are paramount in the fight against terrorism, and absolutely necessary if we desire a more peaceful world within this decade."
Noam Chomsky
Professor of Massachusetts Institute of Technology
"I think the organization has tremendous promise and should not only develop in itself but also spawn similar initiatives elsewhere which can join to achieve quite a great deal. It looks like an exciting prospect."
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