Declaration
on Expanding
the Role of Women
in Cross-cultural Dialogue

We, the participants of the International Baku Forum on Expanding the Role of Women in Cross-cultural Dialogue;

Expressing our common concern on increasing intolerance and xenophobia on the basis of racial, ethnic, religious and gender differences;

Bearing in mind the necessity of safeguarding and promoting the universal values in our increasingly interconnected world;

Underlining, in this context, the growing importance of intercultural and interreligious dialogue with respect to the wealth of the world's cultural diversity;

In 1988-1994 Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding regions which are an integral part of Azerbaijan were occupied by the Armenian armed forces.

Emphasizing the crucial role of women in the development of intercultural and inter-religious dialogue, thus strengthening peace, stability, and cooperation in the world;.

Highlighting the invaluable contribution of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the Islamic ducational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) in enhancing a sustainable intercultural dialogue;

Recalling the provisions of the international legal instruments on the role of women in the development of society and the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women;

Noting, in this framework, the fortunate coincidence of the International Baku Forum with the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, which provides a timely opportunity to reflect on the links between human rights, cultural diversity, intercultural dialogue and gender equality;

Highly appreciating all efforts made by international organizations, governments, youth and women's movements as well as other initiatives aimed at fostering intercultural dialogue;

Welcome the initiative of Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva, First Lady of the Republic of Azerbaijan, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, UNESCO and ISESCO Goodwill Ambassador to hold such an important meeting devoted to the women's contribution to the cross-cultural dialogue;

Also welcome the contribution of the First Ladies of Azerbaijan, Angola, Latvia, Poland and the Republic of South Africa, as well as the spouses of Vice-President of Argentina, of Prime Minister of Turkey, the First Lady of Texas and Ministers and other high-level representatives at the International Baku Forum and underline their positive input to the development of a lasting dialogue inside their countries and beyond;

Express our firm determination to provide an enabling environment for equal participation of women in all processes of dialogue for peace;.

We hereby declare our common determination and:

1. Call on all Governments and civil society actors to spare no efforts in promoting gender equality, sustainable dialogue, tolerance, justice and peaceful co-existence;

2. Express our determination to actively participate in strengthening intercultural dialogue and supporting women's further efforts for convergence of the common values of the whole humanity;

3. Call on all Governments to increase the participation of women in all spheres of decision-making, as well as in peace-building processes with a special emphasis on conflict resolution;

4. Emphasize women's contribution to re-shaping the collective imagination and overcoming stereotypes and prejudices, both of which are essential for fostering mutual understanding;

5. Stress the importance of providing girls and young women every educational, economic, social, political opportunity as a guarantee of sustainable future for all generations;

6. Express our conviction that gender equality and the elimination of all forms of violence against women is the basis of development in every sphere and at every level, from family to society;

7. Call on all Governments and civil societies to extend prospective research on the role of women in strengthening mutual understanding between cultures, and to disseminate the results of these studies;

8. Agree to promote the role of women in mass media aiming at valorising their image as well as their achievements in ensuring intercultural dialogue;

9. Express readiness to facilitate the consolidation of efforts of governmental, political, social and religious organizations aimed at strengthening peace, cooperation and mutual understanding;

10. Call on all Governments and civil societies to prevent the use of cultural and spiritual values and beliefs for political purposes;

11. Solemnly proclaim the Baku Declaration on Expanding the Role of Women in Cross-Cultural Dialogue to affirm the significant importance of the dialogue to ensure peaceful co-existence in contemporary multi-cultural societies;

12. Also announce the establishment of the Baku Forum aiming at turning the intercultural dialogue into a continuous process and agree to continue our activities in the framework of the next Forum to be held in 2010 in Baku;

13. Welcomes the Youth Forum held within the Baku International Forum and its recommendations;

14. Call on all participants to spare no effort to actively promote the implementation of provisions of this Declaration at national, regional and international levels;

15. Express our deep gratitude to the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, UNESCO and ISESCO for organizing this Forum and call upon them to consider the possibility of establishing a working secretariat with the aim of preparing the next Forum.

Baku, 11 June 2008.