Nassir Abdulaziz al Nasser, the United Nation's high representative to the Alliance of Civilizations, called for an end to hate speech aimed at refugees in host countries, and for re-thinking the fight against terrorism. In his remarks at an event in Skopje, organized by the Alliance of Civilizations Foundation, he urged for greater understanding of the needs the refugees have.
"The UN Alliance of Civilizations is a soft power tool, established to contribute to a more peaceful world by countering radicalization and polarization and by encouraging greater inter-cultural understanding and projects that advance these goals. At a time when polarization among cultures and terrorist attacks are threatening our world, sadly things have not changed, and today the mission of the Alliance is more relevant than it was ten years ago. Years ago we were thinking that only heavy handed approaches can put an end to international terrorism. Therefore, the international community adopted single mandate focus on security measures to combat terrorism. Today, we realize that if we want to stop terrorism and prevent violent extremism we need totally different approaches, focusing on education", Al Nasser said at the, speaking before President Gjorge Ivanov, religious leaders and diplomats.
According to Al Nasser, European refugee destination countries could benefit from the process, including in alleviating effects of populations ageing, but for this, work will be needed to improve integration and understanding between cultures.
"We all know how migrants and refugees are perceived by host communities and how this impacts their integration. We saw the reaction and the fear in many countries toward the refugees. This is was emphasized by media narratives of mistrust and hate. We need to restore faith among communities and therefore I decided to launch our new initiative on hate speech, #SpreadNoHate, which aims to counter xenophobia and address the treatment of migrants in media", the Qatari diplomat said.
Professor Numan Aruch, co-founder of the Alliance of Civilizations Foundation, told Al Nasser that Macedonia can offer its own model of multiethnic coexistence as an example that can be followed in other countries. "At a time when the world is witnessing blood and slaughter, we have decided to send a message from Macedonia and to show our essence to the world. This event, when the iftar dinner is shared by Christians, Muslims and Jews, is the essence of Skopje and Macedonia", Aruch said.
Doctor Zoran Ilievski, chairman of the board of the Alliance of Civilizations Foundation, said that Al Nasser's visit has helped foster ties with the civil society, religious groups and young leaders.