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Declaration of the Committee

This declaration has been issued by the Co-existence of Civilizations Committee. The declaration was published in February 2006 in relation to the launch of the Co-existence -initiative: 


From low point to turning point

The present crisis, ignited by the Muhammed caricatures, is a blatant example of how unprepared the Danes are for global co-existence and for the rules of play required by it. It is therefore surprising that Danish debate still hasn’t begun to reflect over this course of events, nor on which lessons can be learned from them. 

Firstly, it must be noted that this debate is not just about a conflict between different cultures, but about a conflict within the same cultures. What began with 12 drawings in the Danish national newspaper, Jyllands-Posten, is not the only serious international crisis of the decade for Denmark. However, it could be that it is the biggest challenge to its national identity and its united front, culturally and politically.  

As founders of the initiative Co-existence of Civilizations, we will work towards a goal whereby the current crisis leads to a new understanding of global co-existence and the requirements needed to live in a multi-cultural society-and which opportunities this can unfold.

However, it requires a change of direction in a debate, which is currently dominated by polarization and the tendency to ascribe ill motives to all opponents. We need to move away from confrontation and move towards open discussion. This debate must continue with greater dignity and with a more reflective approach than previously. We must show the world that such a highly educated country with such deep-rooted democracy is capable of leading constructive dialogue. This need has never been greater.

Never before has Denmark been so in the limelight of world opinion. How we deal with all this new attention will determine the respect and credibility we receive in years to come, as part of an international society. For the moment, however, we have a backlog to sort out.

The current conflict will not be solved through stubbornness, or by giving up one’s values or rights. These are false options. There is only one solution to the problem: A third option, which considers the necessity of both respecting basic rights and cultural and religious differences. If anything, this crisis has underlined the need to strengthen our global insight and understanding. This cannot grow from narrow mindedness or over confidence, but from an open and reflective deep-rooted belief in our own democratic values.

The Co-existence of Civilizations initiative aligns itself with the third option. We do not wish to create new groups or fronts, but want to make opportunities visible in the co-existence of cultures. This will represent the core of all growth potential in the very globalization we have talked and written so much about in the last few years.

With the aim of testing the water and, hopefully, proving this concept, we have taken the initiative to host a series of international workshops, dialogue meetings and conferences in Copenhagen in spring of this year. This is not so that Denmark can show the rest of the world how co-existence is practiced, but so as to set the scene for a new dialogue which can illustrate what the next phase of globalization should be about-for nations, companies, societies as well as the individual. These events will hopefully help to set a new way forward for human co-existence.  

Every crisis brings with it the opportunity to turn things around, to develop or to find another way out. We will work towards that opportunity becoming bigger than the crisis itself and towards bringing our turning point closer.