On 29 July, Dialogue of Civilizations Research Institute (DOC) Chairman Vladimir Yakunin met with a delegation from Bahrain led by Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa al Khalifa, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the King Hamad Global Centre for Peaceful Co-existence, at the DOC’s office in Moscow.
Sheikh Khalid expressed confidence that the development of dialogue of civilizations in the Gulf countries would support the harmonization of inter-religious relations and peaceful co-existence in the region, and expressed his desire for deeper cooperation between the King Hamad Centre and the DOC on a wide range of issues.
Bahraini representatives will take part in this year’s Rhodes Forum, the DOC’s flagship public event, which takes place on the Greek island of Rhodes on 11-12 October. The sides are discussing a joint conference in 2020 on the topic of dialogue of civilisations in the Gulf countries, and the King Hamad Centre is also interested in academic exchange involving young people and the development of joint research projects with the DOC.
Dr Yakunin welcomed the suggestion for deeper cooperation and spoke about the idea of creating a public-private expert centre in Bahrain to identify unverified data and counter the dissemination of false information. He added that Russian and European experts from the DOC RI could be involved in the work of the centre.
Following the meeting, a joint agreement of understanding was signed with the aim of furthering the development of the partnership between the parties. In November this year, Bahrain will host a conference, in which DOC experts will also participate, on peaceful co-existence around the world.
