Fragility and Durability of Civilizations Dialogue: Responsibility of Religious and Political Authorities
The second and last day of the international colloquium entitled “The Fragility and Durability of Dialogue among Cultures: Responsibility of Religious and Political Authorities” was held in the amphitheater of the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, in the presence of USEK Rector, Fr. Hady Mahfouz, Fr. Boulos Neaman, beside a crowd of religious, academic and social figures.
This colloquium was organized by the International Federation of Catholic Universities (IFCU), in collaboration with the Catholic Institute of the Mediterranean (CIM), the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK), Pontifical Faculty of Theology and Saint Joseph University (USJ), Faculty of Religious Sciences. Numerous local and international scholars participated in the colloquium, notably from Greece, Spain, France, Latin America and Morocco. The lectures stressed the importance of dialogue and coexistence in pluralist communities, focusing on four main themes: epistemological problem of the dialogue, theological issues, available means for dialogue and crossover experience.
After the welcome speech presented by Fr. Paul Rouhana, Dean of the Pontifical Faculty of Theology at USEK, Fr. Georges Hobeika, Vice-Rector for Research, gave a lecture wherein he highlighted the richness of the Mediterranean area with various philosophical as well as religious theories. He shed the light on “the multitude of philosophical theories within the Mediterranean include all the metaphysical elements which can, if well studied and analyzed, constitute a solid basis for an authentic culture of peace and love”.
Four sessions were held during the day, each one focusing on one of the abovementioned themes. Fr. Paul Rouhana concluded after the last session of the colloquium with the presentation of several recapitulations and propositions in order to pursue research concerning the dialogue among cultures and religions, a subject matter which constitutes an actual social concern.
FRANçAIS 
