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Rhodes Forum announces launch of new think tank to contribute to dialogue of civilizations

Xinhua, October 10, 2015 Adjust font size:

The World Public Forum "Dialogue of Civilisations" (Rhodes Forum) that has been held in the Greek island of Rhodes over the past decade building communication bridges across the globe, launches a new think tank to further contribute to the exchange of views for economic development and conflict resolution.

The announcement was made on Saturday during a press conference at the 13th Rhodes Forum by Vladimir Yakunin, president and co-founder of World Public Forum.

"Our organisation is about to embark on a period of major change and development. Having dedicated the last 13 years to promoting dialogue between different civilisations in the broadest sense, I now want to use this base to create a world class think thank that will make practical policy recommendations," Yakunin said.

The new research institute will focus on infrastructure as a possible basis for new economic development and conflict prevention, delivering the results of studies to the interested parties in real politics, NGOs and state organizations worldwide, he explained.

The Russian public thinker noted that the Forum concentrated in recent years on the Trans Eurasian Development zone and China's Silk Road initiative as two characteristic examples of this new economic development model.

The two projects are not contradictory, but could be developed together to benefit not only Russia or China but the entire international community, he told Xinhua.

As more than 350 delegates from 50 countries were still debating the most pressing issues of today's world, Yakunin underlined the significance of the role of dialogue to awaken the conscience of civil societies in efforts to tackle crises, such the conflict in Syria and the refugee crisis.

Since on government level it seems very difficult to withdraw previously made statements and lose face, civil societies can be of help, by building bridges, he told Xinhua.

Regarding the refugee crisis, Yakunin stressed that Europe was apparently not ready to deal with the influx.

He called for imminent measures to assist refugees fleeing war zones to reach safety without having to pay small fortunes to smugglers.

He also urged major powers to concentrate efforts on settling together the question of terrorism and provide people with a normal way of life in the current conflict zones.

The three-day Rhodes forum will close on Sunday. Endit