#1 [url]

Mar 18 08 4:50 PM

This is a new one to me:

HRH Prince El Hassan bin Talal

Re: The El Hassan Values Survey: Developing a Shared Consciousness



During many years of work with interfaith and intercultural groups I have noticed a tendency for our various faiths and traditions to 'rediscover each other' every time we meet. We are living through a globally-interacting religious process and its consequences, whilst our communities remain, on the whole, poorly informed or worse, misinformed about other peoples and other creeds.


Familiarity has not always bred respect. Conflict in the Balkans, in India, Indonesia, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, the Congo and elsewhere has shown that perceived or manufactured differences can be the catalyst for horrifying violence.


Physical security comes first in creating peacefulness, but physical security alone is no guarantee of lasting peace. From my own and others' experience in this field, I would say that trust, mutual security and respect between different communities can only be built on a belief in and a commitment to non-violent methods of conflict resolution. Such a commitment, combined with individual confidence that a basic morality and certain common values are shared with 'the other', provides the basis for agreement, and the framework for civilized disagreement in other areas.


In the past, mixed communities developed such stable modus vivendi through long experience of each other – growing up, learning, working and living side by side for generations without much outside pressure or intervention. Mass migration along with the communications and information revolution has, for the most part, put an end to that comparatively fragile process.

In order to develop the adaptive thinking crucial to the stability of highly-mobile, fast-changing societies, we need meaningful and all-encompassing educational resources which inform societies of both common values and the enriching power of diversity.


At this time in our history, when trust between cultures is at particularly low ebb, the fostering of mutual respect within and between our various communities is all important. Economic, political and social objectives do not meet the whole human need for security.

Cultural security, a sense of dignity and the assurance of mutual respect are vital. There is an urgent need for the development of new educational schemes, with the widest possible application, to inform and develop awareness of our shared consciousness and humanity.


I hope that this project may benefit from your wisdom and support.

HRH Prince El Hassan bin Talal