In an epoch that has often been defined by its civilizational differences this conference is a clear reminder that there are many of us out there that seek to endorse proactive solutions to an unnecessary problem.

It is with this that 'Intercultural Dialogue' has become the obvious approach to help remove both real and ideological barriers in the contemporary world. It is a term that suggests openness, far greater than that of the globally pronounced 'multiculturalism' which has seemingly floundered by reinvigorating the social divisions it had tried to exclude. Most importantly it offers a sense of practicality to building relationships that goes beyond the rhetoricised notion of 'building bridges' as it is a means rather than just an end.