The message, from second graders and octogenarians to imams, rabbis, young changemakers and the King of Spain, was clear: "we need peace and mutual understanding now more than ever before", according to more than 1,800 participants at the UN Alliance of Civilizations 10th Global Forum, which concluded on Wednesday.
"There was a strong call for peace, putting an end to violence and conflict, and calls for diversity and fighting against discrimination," said the UN Alliance's High Representative Miguel Ángel Moratinos at the closing session.
The three-day forum drew participants from more than 150 countries, Mr. Moratinos said, also announcing that the 11th Global Forum will be held in Saudi Arabia.
Reflecting on some outcomes, he pointed to the global gathering of young people at its Youth Forum and the adoption of the Cascais Declaratio n to chart a path forward towards peace while tackling such myriad 21st century challenges as artificial intelligence and chronic spirals of conflict.
"The Cascais Declaration is not just a document. It is the commitment of all of us," the High Representative said.
Learn more about the UN Alliance of Civilizations and its Global Forum in our explainer here .
What will the Cascais Declaration deliver?
The Cascais Declaration, adopted unanimously on Tuesday, puts forward a set of innovative pledges to forge peace amid current turbulent times.
The 25-paragraph declaration noted, among other things, the potential use of AI as a tool to advance intercultural and inter-religious dialogue and stressed the importance of combatting disinformation, misinformation and hate speech while strengthening information integrity.
It also underscored the importance of intergenerational dialogue for peace, sustainable development and human rights.
