World Christian Leaders Discuss Challenges of Globalisation & Diversity

In an historical event, religious leaders from two hemispheres came together at the World Council of Churches (WCC) 9th Assembly on Feb. 15th, 2006, to discuss the issues on which cultures and civilisations clash.

|TOP|It was noted that the world is becoming increasingly globalised, and in the midst of this, Metropolitan Kyrill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad and Rev. Dr Mvume Dandala each noted the challenges in the modern era.

As the Chairman of the Department for External Relations of the Russian Orthodox Church, Kyrill spoke about how the relations between religions in his nation have been “very peaceful”, but that it still required close attention and care to maintain mutual respect.

Although a majority of Russia is Orthodox, there are still 10 percent Muslim, and 10 percent other religions, Kyrill told.

He also noted that an inter-religious summit would be held in Russia to look at intercultural and inter-religious relationships in the context of globalisation, prior to the G-8 summit planned for St Petersburg in July.

Praise was given by Kyrill to the WCC for its understanding of “the importance of inter-religious dialogue”.

In addition, Krill pointed to the great divide between the religious and secular worlds. He noted that the “most important question of the 21st century” is “whether it is possible or not to balance religious values and secular values”. He highlighted the Danish cartoon controversy as a clear example.

|AD|“I still have an idea that these values may be balanced. Of course, that requires very hard work, but I think it's something which may be done.”

Joining the debate, Dandala, who is the General Secretary of the All Africa Conference of Churchces explained that globalisation posed a major threat to his continent.

Dandala said, “The question is asked often in Africa: does globalisation have the prospect for us of the annihilation of our culture, annihilation of our languages, and so on.”

As an example, he spoke about the disappearance of various languages: “When a language disappears, it often goes with the culture and heritage of a people. The question for us is very real - how do we preserve our heritage?”

He told that the All Africa Conference had worked with its member churches closely to reflect deeply and theologically on such issues.

Admitting that religion had the potential to play both a positive and negative role in such situations, Dandala said that it had played a “devastating role of dividing” in apartheid. However, he also said that it could be something that “affirms people” and demonstrates that “we are all human beings and should care for one another.”

In his concluding remarks he told how diversity should be celebrated, and he said “what matters most today is using diversity for the enrichment of all the people.”