TEHRAN – Iranian Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Ali Jannati has said dialogue with religions and cultures is Iran’s top agenda to help peace in the world.

Speaking at the World Culture Forum, which was held in Bali, Indonesia from October 10 to 14, he said, “Due to its wealth of background in civilization and culture, my country always emphasizes the element of dialogue.”

Organizing bilateral meetings and festivals, as well as promoting translation movements, and making the educational systems of the countries more efficient can help dialogue among the nations, he added.

He also said, “Culture is behind all individual and social behavior… and all our behavior, including political actions, is oriented by our culture.”

The World Culture Forum (WCF) is an initiative organized by the Ministry of Education and Culture, Republic of Indonesia. 

The first edition of the meeting, also held in Bali during November 2013, was organized under the patronage of UNESCO to highlight the power of culture as the fourth dimension of sustainable development.     

Jannati also held a meeting with Indonesian Minister of Education and Culture Muhajir Effendi on the sidelines of his visit to Indonesia.

Ways to expand cultural relations between the two countries were discussed at the meeting.

Photo: Iranian Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Ali Jannati speaks in an undated photo. 
 
MMS/YAW