Dialogue in Times of Global Realignment

Commemorating 50th founding anniversary, International Progress Organization recalls fundamentals of a just world order

Rabat / Vienna, 8 June 2022

P/RE/28489c-is

Hosting a gala dinner on the occasion of the 50^th founding anniversary of the International Progress Organization (I.P.O.) at La Tour Hassan Palace in Rabat, Morocco’s capital, the President of the I.P.O., Dr. Hans Köchler, emphasized the continued relevance of the three principles on which the organization was founded in 1972: internationalism, universalism, and pacifism. Quoting from the founding declaration, he said that “universalism” must not be interpreted in the sense of uniformity of a particular value system and lifestyle imposed on the entire world, but as “respect of and tolerance towards all creeds and cultures” on the basis of reciprocity. Recalling his first visit to Morocco in 1969 and the tour around the globe in 1974 that included the Arab countries of Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon and the United Arab Emirates, Dr. Köchler underlined the importance of the dialogical approach in international relations – between states and peoples alike – and acknowledged the contribution of the Arab and Muslim world to the work of the International Progress Organization in the past 50 years.

He particularly referred to the role of civil society in Morocco and to the organization’s fruitful cooperation with universities and cultural institutions. He also mentioned the close cooperation, in the early years of the I.P.O., with the then Secretary-General of the Union of Arab Lawyers, later to become Prime Minister of Morocco in the "Government of Consensual Succession," Mr. Abderrahmane Youssoufi, and with Professor Mohammed Allal Sinaceur, then Director of the Division of Philosophy of UNESCO, later to become Minister of Culture of Morocco. In his commemorative speech, the President of the I.P.O. paid special tribute to the late Professor Mohammed Sabila, leading philosopher of modern Morocco, with whose help the I.P.O. was able to establish a network of cooperation with universities all over the country, in particular in Casablanca, Fes, Rabat, Meknès, Tangier, and Kenitra. Dr. Köchler also recalled his participation, in 1985, in the Conference of Arab Popular Forces in Rabat, and the cooperation of the I.P.O. with the Amadeus Institute in Rabat, focusing on the debates about Security Council reform at the Institute’s 2011 conference in Tangier.

To express the appreciation of the International Progress Organization, the President of the I.P.O. invited on this special occasion representatives of the media, politics, culture and academia of Morocco, Jordan and Palestine. Among the guests were Mrs. Nouzha Skalli, former Minister of Solidarity, Women and Social Development of Morocco; poet and TV host Mr. Yasin Adnan; Mr. Mahtat Rakas, Editor-in-Chief of Al Bayane newspaper; author and journalist Mr. Abdul Aziz Kokas; Professor Jamal El Din El Hani, Dean of the Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences at the University Mohammed V in Rabat; Mr. Ahmed Marradi, Director of Dar Attaouhidi Publishing House; Dr. Hamid Lechhab, President, Association des Marocains dans les pays germanophones; Prof. Mohamed Meziane, Ibn Tofail University, Kenitra; Mr. Jaber Abu Faries, President of the Jordanian Publishers Union, Amman; Dr. Hanae Al Bawab, Director of Khotout wa dilal Publishers, Amman; and Mrs. Ghada Sarawi, Deputy Ambassador of Palestine in Morocco. On behalf of friends in Morocco, Jordan and Palestine, Dr. Hamid Lechhab awarded Dr. Köchler with a Plaque of Honour and presented to him his oil portrait by Moroccan painter Mohamed Assalmi.

At the invitation of the Minister of Culture of Morocco, H.E. Mohammed Mehdi Bensaid, the President of the I.P.O. delivered a special lecture at the International Book Fair in Rabat, on “Philosophy of Co-existence and Dialogue among Civilizations.” Book signing sessions were arranged by the publishers for four new Arabic editions of Dr. Köchler’s books. On the sidelines of the International Book Fair Dr. Köchler met with the Director of the Sharjah Book Authority (United Arab Emirates), Mr. Fadil Hussain Abuseem, and with delegates of publishing authorities from Saudi-Arabia, Oman, United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.

Dr. Köchler also delivered lectures at University Mohammed V in Rabat (“Philosophy and Technology”), University Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah in Fes (“Philosophy and Dialogue of Cultures”), and University Ibn Tofail in Kenitra (“The Tasks of Contemporary Philosophy”). In meetings with the deans of the Faculties of Letters and Human Sciences at the three universities he was briefed on the role of philosophy and cultural studies in Morocco.

At the city of Fes, Dr. Köchler met with the President of the National Human Rights Council of Morocco, Professor Abderrahman Lamrani. In Fes, he also held meetings with professors of theology at the University of al-Qarawiyyin (founded in the 9th century A.D.). On the sidelines of the lecture at the University of Kenitra, he met with Dr. Nabila Mounib, Member of Parliament and Secretary-General of the Unified Socialist Party of Morocco (PSU).

Upon the conclusion of the visit, the Director of Dar Attaouhidi Publishing house hosted a dinner in honor of the President of the International Progress Organization in Rabat, introducing to him personalities of arts and culture, the media, trade unions, and the legal profession of Morocco. Mr. Abdelilah Hamdouchi, author and screenwriter, and Mr. Abdelali Gmira, Secretary-General of Confédération générale du travail (CGT), were among the guests.

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