Report Contents
 Chair & President's Letter
 Sponsors
 Plenary Remarks
 Topics, Faculty & Hosts
 Recommendations
 Organizations
 Summary Report (PDF)
 
 
 University for a Night 2003 
 The Synergos Institute

Dialogue is essential to build understanding and common ground among diverse sectors and interests in our world. University for a Night participants put forward these four recommendations of how to bridge the social, cultural and religious divides that can undermine efforts to overcome poverty and create a more peaceful, secure world.

Mimi Haas, David Rockefeller and Alejandro Baillères with UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan

Recognize and bridge "divides" within governments and major institutions. Because governments must strive to balance competing interests within their societies, it is understandable that public policies are complex and sometimes appear contradictory. But more destructive "divides" exist within some governments and global institutions. One example of such a divide is the expressed US support for democracy while the country appears to ally itself with governments that are not democratic. This undermines the trust needed to build international support for efforts such as the war on terrorism.
Examples of organizations working on this issue: Council on Foreign Relations, Humpty Dumpty Institute, Rockefeller Brothers Fund

Recognize and build upon similarities among major religions around the world. Amidst the great diversity of religious beliefs are certain common values that can be built upon in efforts to bridge the gap between rich and poor. These include respect for human life and concepts of charity and obligation to help the less fortunate. Religious values can also be a source for increasing the civic-mindedness among the general public.
Examples of organizations working on this issue: Interfaith Alliance, World Conference on Religion and Peace

Focus philanthropic efforts to promote and support social justice. Growing evidence suggests that the most impactful forms of philanthropy are built around the concept of social justice -- with philanthropic resources used to give people in need the voice to express themselves and the capacity to play a full role in society. Individual philanthropists and grantmaking organizations interested in long-term impact should use the extent to which an activity promotes social justice as a criterion in determining where to focus their support.
Examples of organizations working on this issue: Esquel Foundation, National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy, Open Society Institute, Social Change Assistance Trust, Vamos Foundation

Prevent armed conflict -- and enhance recovery from war and violence -- by building dialogue, understanding and cooperation between diverse groups. Poverty and other social and economic problems contribute to conflict around the world. Unfortunately, too often that conflict is expressed through violence and that conflict results in human and material losses for all sides. Increased dialogue is essential to avoid armed conflict. At the very least, such dialogue can lead to increased understanding that can defuse historical enmity. At times it can even be the basis for cooperation that results in concrete benefits for all participants. Such dialogue is proving important in post-conflict situations as well, enabling diverse members of society to move beyond past violence to build a better future together.
Examples of organizations working on this issue: Foundation for Community Development of Mozambique, International Peace Academy, Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation
 

Next Page

For More Information
Tel + 1 (212) 447-8111
Fax +1 (212) 447-8119
info@universityforanight.org
www.universityforanight.org