REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, SIEM REAP -- Vice President Jusuf Kalla borrowed a quote from Kahlil Gibran, a Lebanese-American poet, to highlight the importance of maintaining unity amid social and cultural differences in Asian countries. He made the remarks during a gala dinner that marked the launch of the Asian Cultural Council (ACC) in Siem Reap, Cambodia, on Tuesday evening.
"Let me quote Kahlil Gibran: let the cultural differences between us be a moving sea between the shores of your souls," Kalla remarked.
"There are many similarities in our cultures that need to be developed for a better life," he added.
Culture is the result of human hard work to adapt to the environment. Countries in the Asian region have diverse cultures as the identity of the nations' wealth.
As a continent, with the most cultural wealth, Asia has played an important role in the progress of social, cultural, and world civilization. "Positioning in the Asia region, from Russia to Australia, from Japan to Turkey, we not only share many similarities but also various differences," Kalla stated.
Hence, the vice president advised the ministers and officials of Asian countries present at the event to jointly maintain the unity of the region amid differences in community, social, and cultural characteristics. He emphasized that differences should unite, not separate us.
At the ACC launch gala dinner, Vice President Kalla was honored as the founder and figure, who has played a role in the formation of the ACC. Formed as an affiliate institution of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties, the council aims at promoting cultural diversity and forging cooperation among countries in the region.
The ACC will encourage ongoing dialogue between grantees and artists, as well as intellectuals through a network of individuals, who are dynamic and strong among cross disciplines and across the world.
"The launch of ACC, of course, (shows) that we also care to discuss issues of culture and religion, so it will strengthen relations between Asian countries," Kalla remarked.
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