World Civilization

Academics, philosophers, authors and world leaders gathered to discuss the past and the future of world civilization. Former Chancellor Schmidt stressed that humans must remember that there are no rights without responsibilities. He said that most nations are undergoing globalization through technology and trade liberalization and that all must respect all other religions and cultures. He emphasized that there is a minimum of ethical standards for living in the world so that the upcoming 21st century “will be as peaceful as the 20th century was bloody.” Mr. Peres said that as the world becomes smaller other things such as skin color become less and less important. He said that Christians, Jews, Muslims and others must learn to live in a new world which is shrinking so rapidly that national borders have less importance. Other speakers deplored ethnic cleansing, and advocated tolerance of others and care for the world’s environment. close