Today, all cultures are in contact with each other, all influence each other. These contacts give rise to even the emergence of new cultures.
The tendency to globalize these relationships, to standardize cultures to match a dominant model is generating enormous violence that is perceived in tendencies toward bigotry or declining community. These attitudes are only fueling the widely publicized “clash of civilizations” idea that cultures are unable to agree among themselves.
This gross lie of the confrontation of cultures used for political, economic or religious. It is also easy to assign blame and focus distrust, discredit and resentment toward groups other than those responsible, or at least complicit, in this situation. In truth, people have a positive experience of reconciliation with other cultures. And it is only through this dialogue we can find solutions to major human problems that affect our planet beyond the barriers of prejudice and build new relationships in which the culture will become a future project, and will not be limited to a lot of traditions to maintain at all costs.
It is through dialogue that we will give answers to all forms of discrimination: how can we imagine that some people would come out but that discrimination would continue for the other? How can we believe that it is for each community or group to solve the issues of immigration, refugees, etc.. without developing a force larger and can not be offered a new policy of international cooperation? How to enforce human rights if we do not defend systematically every human being, whether or not the same community as mine, or not to undergo the same violence as me?
The Center of Cultures contributes to:
To promote dialogue that cultures value and thereby recognize the value of others. In this sense, we focus on the emergence of ideas, beliefs and attitudes of every humanistic culture.
Disseminate ideas and values of universal humanism as cement for the construction of universal human culture, which is already emerging in the heart of the new generations.
Deepening active nonviolence as the only method of action. Question the values and actions that support the current system and that generate discrimination and violence.
Create support networks beyond differences, to fight effectively against discrimination and to support all campaigns for human rights: the struggle for human rights is to fight for the rights of all men.
A project on the planet
In 1995, the first Center of Cultures began to develop in order to respond to cultural violence. They were created in cities like New York, Madrid, Bombay, Zurich, Paris, Brussels, Berlin, Milan, São Paulo, Buenos Aires, Santiago de Chile, among other Abidjan.
Today, the Center of Cultures in Europe, Latin America, Asia, North America and Africa to coordinate regional campaigns and for the realization of regional forums. They allow that experiences, styles and actions converge towards common goals, each time more inviting new community groups or multicultural.
Universal Humanism
“Universal Humanism, also called New Humanism, is characterized by emphasizing the humanist attitude. This attitude is not a philosophy but a perspective, a sensitivity and a way to live the relationship with other human beings. The universalist humanism asserts that in all cultures, in their best moment of creativity, humanistic attitude permeates the social environment. Thus, we reject discrimination, wars and violence in general. Freedom of ideas and beliefs is a strong impulse, which in turn motivates research and creativity in science, arts, and other social expressions. In all cases, universal humanism does not offer neither abstract nor a dialogue between cultures but institutional agreement on basic points and mutual collaboration between representatives of different cultures, based in humanist moments symmetrical. “Dictionary of New Humanism – Humanistic Study
Center – Moscow
In today’s society, social interaction between different cultures is an everyday occurrence. But what is extraordinary about this historic moment is that this is a time of globalization where all cultures come together and influence each other like never before.
It is important to distinguish between these processes of globalization and increasing globalization. The famous if globalization is nothing other than the traditional behavior driven What imperial centers. As has happened many times in history, these empires settle, grow and make other people depend on it, trying to impose their language, their customs, their clothing, supplies and all their codes. Finally, these imperialist structures end up generating violence and chaos, by their contempt naive and cultural confrontation. Today necessary training forums in which ideas, beliefs and humanist attitudes of each culture can be taken as they are found in the heart of different peoples and individuals beyond any difference. In general terms, the Center of Cultures aims to facilitate and foster dialogue between cultures, to fight against discrimination and violence and to bring the message of the New Humanism country of origin of those involved.
Activities for dialogue between cultures
- Participation and organization of events to denounce discrimination against minorities.
- Production of our own communication media (community newspapers, radio and TV, web pages).
- Establishment of common international campaigns with other Cultures Centre.
- Communication workshops and exchange on the humanistic aspects of our cultures, the methodology of nonviolence and non-discrimination.
- Organization of discussion forums, conferences, intercultural encounters.
- Creation of new Center of Cultures in cities in France and abroad.
- During tutoring, literacy, legal advice, assistance to undocumented …
