Roundup: Dialogue, compromise needed to counter global disorder: experts at Rhodes forum

Dialogue and compromise would be needed to counter the current global disorder, experts said at the opening of the 13th annual Rhodes Forum Friday.

More than 700 renowned public thinkers, intellectuals and practitioners from 70 countries have convened on the Greek island, debating the theme "World Beyond Global Disorder."

The Rhodes Forum's founding president Vladimir Yakunin said this year's overarching theme reflects the think tank's concern that with the growing number of armed conflicts worldwide, many of which have overlapped regional boundaries, the world faces a deterioration of cross-cultural coexistence.

"Our goal is to form a transition from the analysis to action," he told the opening plenary session.

The forum will features leading international experts, including a Chinese delegation, join forces and put forward their views over the resolution of the most pressing global and regional challenges.

Among the issues discussed will be the escalating refugee crisis.

On day one, international and cross-cultural dialogue was suggested as the way forward to address such crises.

"Dialogue by itself is action. It is a first step to success," said Yannis Amanatidis, Greek Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.

For her part, Cynthia Ann McKinney, a former member of the U.S. House of Representatives and Green Party Candidate for the U.S Presidency in 2008, called for leadership that embraces peace and alignment of values with everyday behavior as a starting point.

"The world is in shambles by design. We need to give warmongers more resistance," she said.

The Rhodes Forum, also known as the World Public Forum Dialogue of Civilizations, runs until Oct. 12. Endit