DIALOGUE AMONG CIVILIZATIONS

In 2001, the Whitehead School had the honor of serving as the Coordinating Secretariat for the United Nations Year of Dialogue Among Civilizations, an initiative proposed by Iranian President Mohammad Khatami. Faculty and students worked closely with the Personal Representative of the UN Secretary-General, Giandomenico Picco, to prepare research for an international Group of Eminent Persons composed of former heads of state, Nobel laureates, and renowned scholars. This distinguished Group collaborated to author the book, Crossing the Divide: Dialogue among Civilizations, published by the School of Diplomacy and presented to the UN in November 2001. Crossing the Divide examines how the perception of diversity as a threat can be overcome through a new paradigm of international relations focused on participation, discourse, reconciliation, and individual responsibility.

As part of the ongoing Dialogue Among Civilizations initiative, the School invites influential and inspiring guests to speak at Seton Hall through its World Leaders Forum. Our distinguished visitors have included royalty and heads of state and government, public officials and political leaders, journalists and labor leaders, business executives and philanthropists, ambassadors and diplomats. Each has engaged our students in thoughtful discussions and presented new insights on issues of international importance.