AZORBAYCANI RE SPUBLIKASIMODONTTYAT VO TURIZM NAZIRLIYI

AZ l00O Bakr qeh., Hcikiimet evi,O.Hacrbeyov kiig.,40

Elektron pogt:. mct@mct.gov.aztourism@mct.gov.az

internet seh.: www.mct.gov.az

Tel: (+99412)493-43-98(+99412) 493-30-02

Faks: (+99412)493-56-05

, , / / - oB 2 M l i rH.E. Mr FrankKaufmannDirectorInter Religious Federation for WorldPeace

Dear Mr Kaufmann,

We have the honour of inviting you to participate in the 3'd World Forum on Intercultural Dialogueto be hefd on May 18-19,2015 in Baku, Azerbaijan. This global event wil l be organized by the Governmentof Azerbaijan in partnership with UNESCO, UN All iance of Civil izations, UN World Tourism Organization.Council of Europe and ISESCO.

The World Forum on lntercultural Dialogue, also known as the "Baku Process" was initiated in 2008,and has become a global platform for exchange and discussion on major contemporary challengespertaining to intercultural dialogue and the sharing of related universal values; pressing issues in today'sglobalized and more and more diverse societies.-

As you may be aware, the first and second forums were organized in Baku in 2011 and 2013 andreached remarkable achievements, supporting the inscription of intercultural dialogue and cultural diversityat the forefront of the international agenda. Bringing together head of governments and internationalorganizations, ministers, senior policy makers, prominent intellectuals, experts and cultural professionals,go-oOwitt ambassadors, this Forum reaffirms the imperative need to consolidate and intensify dialogue-mong peoples from different cultures, religions or beliefs, in order to create, at the national, regional andglobal ievels, an environment conducive to respect for cultural diversity, human rights and mutualunderstanding.

To maintain such momentum, the 3'd World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue under the motto "SharingCulture for Shared Security" will focus on the theme: "Culture and sustainable development in the post-2015development agenda", with a view to mark the celebration of the World Day for Cultural Diversity forDialogue and Development (21't May). The role of culture, heritage, religions, faiths or beliefs, migration,sport, education, art, business, among others, wil l be addressed in this regard to address new trends andchallenges for intercultural dialogue, using the timely framework offered by the International Decade for theRapprochement of Cultures (2013-2022), proclaimed by the United Nations.

Kindly note that the accommodation, meal and internal transportation expenses for 3 nights wil l becovered Oy tfre Government of Azerbaijan, through the Ministry o^f Culture and Tourism. To ease thisprocess, registration is open online at http://baKlrforum.:icd.az, from '1ttof February to 30'n of March 2015.

The Organizing Committee of the Forum remains at your disposal for any questions and inquiries.

Ilb

info@bakuforum-icd.az (+99412) 498 01 12bakuforum2o15@gmail.com (+gg+t 2) 493 02 33

(+99450) 769 96 52(+99455) 690 96 12(+99412) 493 65 38 (Fax)mct@mct.gov.az v .eyv azzade @ m ct. g ov. az

We look forurard to your active participation and valuable contribution to this Forum.

Yours sincerely,

Deputy Minister Sevda Mammadaliyeva

MIMSTRY OF CTJLTURE AND TOURISM OFTIIE REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN AZ 1004 Brku, Goverilment lloure, U.HaJlbsyov 3tr' 40