Promoting Peaceful Coexistence and Common Citizenship

[ 109 ] — CLOSING CEREMONY — in pursuing the ideal of dialogue despite the difficulties and misunderstandings that marked the beginning of our work. But most of all thank you for helping to direct the efforts of our international dialogue centre more and more towards a true commitment to peace and reconciliation. How nec- essary peace and reconciliation are today in our world that is so in need of promoting a culture of dialogue and inclusivism, respectful of every person, so as together we can promote solidarity directed towards the common good. Unfortunately, many areas of the world suffer from a lack of such unity. For this we cannot but express our sorrow and support towards all of those nations afflicted by war and conflict. The immense movements of refugees and migrants fleeing the horror of war shall find us united in compassion and aware of the urgency to address the present challenges. Over the past five years KAICIID has made clear its vocation to serve as a centre for discussing interreligious and intercultural issues as well as offering information to all persons and groups, private and public, that request it. The agenda for the next five years shall see us committed to expanding not only the number of members, but also the quality of the work of our intergovernmental organization, so as to become increasingly more effective and focused on providing those critical answers to the new problems emerg- ing at a global level. I wish KAICIID heartfelt success in serving the cause of dialogue in the world. our Beatitudes, Your Eminences, the Secretary General, dear Participants, dear Colleagues — I should not repeat what my esteemed col- leagues have just mentioned, but I would like to start by thanking those who had the idea of founding this Centre, of establishing this platform of living dialogue, not in theory but in practice, in everyday work. We have shared many moments together during these two days, and I would say that this is a common adventure. Many have asked me why I am part of KAICIID. I think that the answer is very simple. If we look at your faces, if we look at you as participants of this conference, we see that some of you have known KAICIID before and some of you have come here for the first time. It is an environment where we both teach and learn. We are not here as masters, but to listen to one another; to listen to the experiences that everybody can bring. As a representative of the Orthodox church, and of His Holiness who has been here with us, I would like to repeat two words, and their associated ideas, that he mentioned in his speech — love and commitment. First of all, love. Love, not only for our friends but also for our enemies.The latter case ismore difficult, not only for those who love us, but for those who are probably indifferent to us. This is the basis of a dialogue that is sincere, transparent and continuous.This is what KAICIIDhas been doing. Adialogue that, according tomy faith, has been based onwhat the gospel of Matthew mentions in chapter five, but a dialogue that is living. Not a dialogue for books or for libraries. It is a dialogue that we live day by day, and I think that for the past five years, all of us who have been engaged have been very grateful toHis Excellency for his commitment to the staff as well to KAICIID for its commitment to the work that we are engaged in. In 626, the founder of Islam referred to the covenant that was signed between Muslims and Christians, and that will continue until the last day. He addressed the Muslims saying that they have to respect this covenant. I think that this is a commitment, for now we don’t make any difference between HE Metropolitan Emmanuel Y How necessary peace and reconciliation are today in our world that is so in need of promoting a culture of dialogue and inclusivism, respectful of every person