Khatami’s proposal for a dialogue of civilizations and cultures is an inclusive concept that reaches beyond national and religious dichotomies. It is an appeal to all humanity in the midst of growing violence and conflict worldwide, ultimately aiming at the betterment of human life. As he stressed in his address to the UN General Assembly in 1998, “…the time has come to call upon the world not to yield to the quest for power, but to opt for dialogue and ultimately for compassion, love and spirituality.”

Khatami believes that such dialogue would strike a balance between the two extremes of unquestioning imitation and irrational rejection. “The future of the world belongs to democracy in all levels of governance, advancement of ethical, legal and political values on the basis of dialogue, free exchange of ideas and free inter-cultural challenge. "Freedom from want", "freedom from fear" and "sustaining our future", can only be attained by defining emerging global relations through open and balanced dialogue.”

* Excerpts from President Khatami’s address to the UN General Assembly, September 21, 1998, New York, USA