Respect and understanding key to building harmonious communities

The chairperson of the Commonwealth Commission on Respect and Understanding, Professor Amartya Sen, has said that respect and understanding are a cornerstone to building harmonious and peaceful communities.

Speaking to the Commonwealth News and Information Service during the second day of the Commission’s meeting in London on 2 May 2007, Professor Sen said: “We want to present to the world an approach which is very central to the Commonwealth -- of doing things by discussion and talking with each other.

“We don’t have to agree with each other, but we can still respect each other, understand what we are saying and at the same time agree on what we should jointly do.”

The Indian Nobel Laureate explained that some initiatives to combat violence have not been very successful because of lack of respecting, understanding and communicating with each other.

The Commission -- which convened from 1 to 2 May at Marlborough House, the Commonwealth Secretariat’s headquarters -- is reviewing progress and finalising analysis and recommendations that will be presented to Commonwealth Heads of Government at their biennial summit later this year.

Appointed by Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon, the Commission held its inaugural meeting in December last year.

The Commission followed a 2005 mandate from Commonwealth leaders to look into the issues of community, conflict and identity in the context of democracy, human rights and the rule of law across the 53-member association.

“We have been trying to see how respect and understanding end up being so important in human relationships,” Professor Sen said.

Key issues that have emerged at the meeting include the role of education, understanding history and non-sectarian approach to each other, and the role of government and media.

Secretariat Links:

• Respect and Understanding Commission meets in London
• Respect and Understanding Commission members - Summary biographies