The BA Dialogue Forum Celebrates Its 100th Symposium
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Alexandria—
The BA Dialogue Forum celebrated on Saturday, 19th July 2008, the 100th symposium in the series of bimonthly symposia which started about 5 years ago. The symposia hosted prominent thinkers, as well as Egyptian and Arab scientists to discuss all the issues that concern the region, focusing on the importance of attendee interaction with the speakers in a constructive and democratic atmosphere.
In the symposium, Dr. Ismail Serageldin, Director of the BA, spoke in the presence of a large number of intellectuals. The Dialogue Forum published a commemorative book that contains a summary of the 99 past symposia covering a wide range of issues. Dr. Serageldin said that the symposia aim at encouraging dialogue and at the same time emphasizing rational thinking, and openness to different opinions according to the concepts of freedom of speech, freedom of expression and accepting intellectual pluralism.
He also emphasized that the establishment of this Forum came as an embodiment of the mission and objectives of the Library of Alexandria to be a center for free dialogue which allows for an atmosphere conducive to the dialogue between the self and the other, since progress, evolution and innovation cannot come into being except through an atmosphere open to free thought, new visions and active knowledge.
He also added that the Forum has discussed a diversity of issues related to medicine, science, economics, politics, religion, art, fine art, as well as humanitarian and social sciences, among others with the participation of prominent intellectuals, thinkers and artists.
Serageldin noted that all the publications of the Dialogue Forum symposia can be accessed through the website of the BA Arab Reform Forum:
www.bibalex.org/arf/ar/Activities/productions.htm
This aims to widen the scope of discussion, especially among young people who are increasingly using the internet along with the traditional book.