Javed Mottaghi, Director, Asia - Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD), Malaysia

The world today is grappling with a huge number of problems of immense complexity. Many countries in Asian, European, African and Pacific regions have recently experienced different types of violence or are still in the midst of such terrible events. Diversity is a fact, however, it should not be seen as a threat, but rather as an enrichment of human community. The encouragement of diversity and pluralism can lead us to cooperation and collaboration within and outside of our countries. If cultural dialogue is institutionalized, many existing differences and conflicts at the international and regional levels could be settled amicably. This fact is more essential today than ever before. In this respect, the media have a major role to play in increasing the awareness of the audience with a view to fostering peace and mutual respect among peoples.

New communication technologies can help dialogue take place globally. Advances in mass media and satellite communications have broken down the traditional barriers among nations and their different cultures, helping to transform our planet into a "global village". Despite these technological wonders, the diversity of human culture is, and will continue to be a reality. The challenge before us now is how can we serve the public interest in the best way, with the objective of making a positive difference in societies?

I congratulate you for your initiatives in organizing the second Eurasian Media Forum Conference in Almaty to promote meaningful East-West dialogue in the cause of a politically stable and secure world - and to analyze the role and impact of the media in this process.