We are pleased to introduce you to "Bridges - Dialogues Towards a Culture of Peace" by reflecting on the "Bridges" series which the International Peace Foundation has already hosted in Thailand and the Philippines in partnership with various national and international organizations, institutions and enterprises:

More than 300 events took place in this event series being held all over Thailand and the Philippines since 2003. 30 Nobel Laureates as well as other keynote speakers and artists including Dr. Hans Blix, the Hon. Gareth Evans, Prof. Marcia Haydee and Ismael Ivo, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, HSH Prince Alfred of Liechtenstein, Jessye Norman, Vanessa-Mae, DJ Marusha, Dame Anita Roddick, Dr. Karan Singh, Jakob von Uexkuell and Dr. James D. Wolfensohn participated in this program all waiving their request for an honorarium for the benefit of the events.

Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn graciously presided over several events which in total reached an audience of 90,000 participants including different target groups thanks to a variety of partners, ranging from major universities and ministries to the Royal Thai Army, NGOs, businesses, media and the diplomatic corps, which hosted the events in cooperation with the International Peace Foundation. Meetings with the Prime Minister of Thailand and the President of the Philippines as well as with various ministers complemented the events which enjoyed a huge media attention.

The Thailand Premier of Jessye Norman, one of the most distinguished concert and opera singers of our time, was one of the cultural highlights of the "Bridges" series. Her sold-out concert at the Thailand Cultural Center was held in celebration of the auspicious occasion of the 6th birthday cycle of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit of Thailand who graciously presided over the event together with Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana Krom Luang Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra. All proceeds were donated to the Support Foundation of Her Majesty the Queen. Proceeds from other cultural events with Prof. Marcia Haydee and Ismael Ivo, Vanessa-Mae and DJ Marusha were donated to Baan Khru Noi’s Children’s Home and to the Human Development Foundation to support street children and people with AIDS in the slums of Bangkok.

As peace cannot be achieved instantly, but is a process which needs time, "Bridges" has not been organized as a single conference, but as an ongoing series of events in which Nobel Laureates, world-known artists and international decision makers have built strong bridges with Thai and Filipino leaders in all parts of society and with the general public. Believing that the basis for peace is education and that synergies are the fruit of cooperation, the International Peace Foundation hasn’t realized "Bridges" alone, but has carried out the program together with 88 local and international institutions including 33 major schools and universities as well as the Asian Institute of Technology, the Education Society of Thailand, the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand, the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Ministry of Science and Technology, the National Defense College, the National Institute of Development Administration, the Science Society of Thailand, the Thailand Research Fund and UNESCO.

The multidisciplinary and pluralistic approach of "Bridges" in Thailand and the Philippines and of the upcoming events in the Malaysia reflects that peace involves all parts of society. It involves awareness and social responsibility of politicians, the business community, scientists, artists and the media. And since peace - within ourselves, our families and our environment - starts in our minds and hearts, it involves every one of us.

In this sense "Bridges - Dialogues Towards a Culture of Peace" challenges us to cross borders and to build bridges by listening and opening up to other viewpoints, by generating new thoughts, by developing innovative forms of cooperation and by fulfilling the desire of everyone to get to know and to learn from each other. This can lead us to a world in which we will be able to understand each other and the complexities we face today in a new light. A globalized world needs broad strategies for change to secure a sustainable future for us and the next generations.

Let us be inspired by the knowledge and the wisdom that "Bridges - Dialogues Towards a Culture of Peace" continues to offer: an opportunity to get a more inclusive, interconnected and comprehensive view of ourselves and the world in which we live in and which we are able to create anew constantly - through dialogues towards a culture of peace which need the participation of everyone!