THE ROLE OF CULTURE IN POST-CONFLICT SITUATIONS

President of International Progress Organization addresses identity politics and the dual role of culture

Shusha (Azerbaijan) / Vienna (Austria), 26 May 2022

RE/28464c-is

In a speech delivered at an international conference in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, Dr. Hans Köchler, President of the Vienna-based International Progress Organization, addressed the potential of culture in situations of inter-ethnic and inter-state conflict. He warned of the instrumentalization of issues of cultural identity in situations of ethnic tension and criticized the politicization of culture in times of war, in particular as regards blanket boycotts of people of literature, the performing arts and sport, merely on the basis of their nationality or ethnicity. At the same time, Dr. Köchler  highlighted the role of culture in helping reconciliation in difficult post-conflict situations, even after long periods of strife and alienation. Shared cultural interests – whether in literature, music, or sport – may become “a common denominator that allows people to break down barriers previously considered insurmountable.” Illustrating his thesis with examples from the era of the Cold War and from current initiatives in the Middle East and the Caucasus, he emphasized that ethnic communities as well as states will be more secure in the global competition for power and influence if they value diversity and respect the cultural identity of other communities, on the basis of mutuality.

The conference was organized by the Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan in the town of Shusha (situated in the Karabakh mountains). The host country’s Minister of Culture, Mr. Anar Karimov, delivered the opening address. Among the speakers at a special High-level Panel were Dr. Salim Mohammed Al Malik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO); Mr. Miguel Ángel Moratinos, High Representative of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations and former Foreign Minister of Spain; Dr. Serdar Çam, Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism of Turkey; and Dr. Webber Ndoro, Director-General of the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM). In four plenary sessions, experts and diplomats from the Caucasus region, Central Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe, including Lord Donald Hankey, former President of ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites), discussed the conditions for inter-cultural dialogue and explored the possibilities of restoring and preserving cultural momuments, with special focus on peace and reconciliation in the region of the Karabakh mountains.

Text of the speech of Dr. Hans Köchler