Bari April 9, 1999

Dear Rector,

the continual outbreaks of violence in the Mediterranean area, generally of terrifying proportions, that often affect whole populations and ethnic groups, must induce reflection in the intellectual world on the question as to whether the traditional ideas of tolerance, respect for others, and safeguarding the natural and artistic heritage have been sufficiently stressed on the cultural plane.

In the light of recent occurrences, the answer can only be a deeply discouraging negative. This means that culture, in all its forms and locations, has failed because it has been unable to create the necessary conditions for its spread and permeation among the Mediterranean peoples.

Peace, together with sustainable development of the Mediterranean in the full respect of ethnic and religious differences, is a wholly cultural concept and it is the task of the Universities, and the cultural world in general, to root this concept in the people's consciousness.

Over and above any ideology and difference in race and conditions, it is time to start inculcating the fundamental values of man and the environment where he lives and works.

The present occasion is particularly propitious for proposing the launching of a new political ethics and culture for the survival of humanity, as expressed by the message I am enclosing, that was unanimously approved by the representatives of 50 Countries (Europe, Middle East and North Africa) at the 5th Conference of the Mediterranean - Black Sea Regions, organized by the Council of Europe (31.3.1999).

For this reason, I believe that the Mediterranean Universities should be a party to and undersign this document.

If, as I hope, a widespread consensus is obtained, I think the Council of our Community should be convened to promote the necessary actions to be undertaken at the level of national and international governmental organizations.

This may constitute a concrete occasion for the Mediterranean Universities to speak out, as the training grounds for the new generations which we must bring up to realize better, more serene conditions of life.

Thanking you in advance for all the helpful suggestions you may be able to offer and for your activities in this regard, please accept my very best wishes,

Prof. Luigi Ambrosi

President

MESSAGE

of the 5th Conference of the Mediterranean - Black Sea Regions

organized by the Council of Europe,

Parliamentary Assembly and Congress of Local and Regional Powers:

A NEW POLITICAL ETHICS AND CULTURE

FOR THE SURVIVAL OF HUMANITY

The traditional model for the relationships among populations has always involved a contrary, if possible more forceful, reaction to every unwelcome action. At a certain point, this cumulative mechanism is bound to lead to conflagration.

This is the result of a culture based on the right to theforce rather than on the force of right.

The rich, strong, great and powerful claim all the rights and all other people must submit. This culture has always led to tragedies and conflicts among men.

We are now in a new phase preparing for a conflagration for the third time since 1914.

We are heirs to a political mentality shared by democrats and non democrats alike, which caused Montesquieu in 1734 to declare: "Europe is nothing other than a nation composed of many nations. And the State that believes it will strengthen its power by ruining its neighbour generally goes down with it".

In history this has always been so. The fault is in the model, rooted and consolidated in the millenia of history, philosophy and the policy of power.

However, we can try to moderate and ward off the possible final outcomes: for this purpose, the "platform for permanent dialogue" has been instituted within the Council of Europe.

Instilling the idea of the force of right and respect for nature among men may seem utopian, but utopia is the matrix of tomorrow's reality. If it is realistic it is realizable. If it is realizable it can be realized. What is needed is the courage to change.

In this ethic, no classification is valid among populations and nations, rich or poor, great or small, strong or weak; only the alphabetical order of their names is valid, which involves no rights or privileges. This is the principle adopted at the Council of Europe in the agreements among the 42 Continental States for the European Nature Conservation Year (ENCY), a principle that has created a climate of trust and serenity among the Delegates of the 42 Continental States.

The neoproclaimed " platform for permanent dialogue within the Mediterranean -Black Sea System" must hold to this principle of human dignity that has already been tried and has proved successful.

The best safeguard for man is the adoption of biocentrism, i.e. the conservation of the whole of creation and the respect for all living beings, fauna, flora and the biological equilibrium. No living species must disappear as a result of man's activities.

Adoption of these principles will effectively safeguard, as we have the duty to do, human biodiversity in all its realities of race, faith and culture.

Only these ethical and scientific principles can ensure the future survival and wellbeing of humanity. In the Mediterranean - Black Sea System the consciousness of belonging to a "new Mediterranean people" can be created as a reason for safeguarding a common good in the interest of all the countries and the African, European, and Middle Eastern peoples that live on the two seas.