As the first set of high level discussions ended at the inaugural meeting of The Fahad al Salem Center for Dialogue Among Civilizations and Defense of Liberty in the Kuwaiti capital on Monday, the founder and chairman of the centre Sheikh Fahad al Salem al Sabah seemed content with the initial progress.

The two day conference, that began on Sunday at the Regency Hotel, has brought together former world leaders and diplomats, as well as human rights campaigners and social activists in an attempt to bridge the gap between nations and create a forum in which ideas and opinions could be shared and disseminated.

Talking to an international gathering of reporters following talks with invited guests and high level delegates, Sheikh Fahad al Sabah was content with the deliberations on the first day and was looked forward to continue the talks in an effort to find a possible solution to the regions problems, thrown up by the so-called ‘Arab Spring of 2011’.

“It was inevitable that change would come to the region,” said Sheikh Fahad. He added that the newly founded centre would be working hard towards bringing about the change.

“People have the right to call for their own futures and choose the route. The bottom line is that liberty, democracy and freedom of expression are the very basics of society,” he said. “There were some good results from the debates in the first and second sessions today (Sunday). We have established the foundation for dialogue and looked at the sequence needed for peaceful change.”

Sheikh al Sabah also revealed his desire to broadcast the ideas and themes dicussed by The Fahad al Salem Center through a series of satellite channels, although it would take some time before it could be implemented.

Also attending the press conference was Wim Kok, former prime minister of the Netherlands and current president of the influential Club of Madrid, which comprises former presidents and prime ministers from around the world.

Kok agreed that events in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has highlighted the desire among its people for social and political reforms and that it was imperative for nations and cultures to address these issues before it was too late.

“When people call for breath, for income, for more opportunities, change is inevitable but the longer one waits the more painful the process. We should not forget as well that not only should there be dialogue between civilisations, but dialogue within societies too.”

Source: Muscatdaily