On September 11th, 2001, the first year of the Twenty-first Century, terrorist attacks in the United States of America cast a dark shadow on the future of humankind. Many interpreted these events as the beginning of a severe "clash of civilizations," and a new form of conflict in the post-Cold war era. Others argue that we are not only facing a deepening divide between Muslim and Christian civilizations, but also -- through the process of globalization and the accompanying emergence of many underlying rifts -- facing the possibility of conflict between a great number of civilizations.

This question of conflict among civilizations is intrinsically linked with the question of religion, and it is possible to view the clash of civilizations as a clash of religion(s). Indeed, the global tide of religious-based violence and conflict is on the rise. We need only think of how Muslims in Christian societies and Christians in Muslim ones face ever-growing hardships. Likewise, to cite only a few cases, deepening religious conflict in Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu, and Sikh societies is also on the increase. Harshly critical and often even confrontational stances have also being taken by many indigenous religions, like Japanese Shinto, toward so-called "outside" religions.

Some would argue that along with (or even transcending) national and ethnic conflict, the clash of civilizations and religion(s) is the gravest threat now facing humankind. Is this way of viewing our current situation in fact correct? Is the clash of civilizations and religion(s) really the main threat that our world faces today?

Whether or not one agrees with such an assessment, it can also be noted that a great deal of energy has been put into attempting to overcome and mediate conflict in a variety of ways. First suggested by Iranian President Mohammad Khatami, one of the more recent forms in which conflict resolution has been attempted is the "Dialogue among Civilizations." The nature of this dialogue has even been addressed by the United Nations. What are the possibilities for such a dialogue? What are the limits?

Along with being a forum for undertaking such an inquiry, we also hope that this symposium will provide an opportunity to discuss the role that religion plays in such a dialogue. Just what is the relationship between religion(s) and civilization? How have religions and civilizations been involved in war and peace, violence and conflict resolution? Can a global society that truly transcends our individual civilizations really be achieved? Or is such a notion only a new form of colonialism? What role should religion play in this dialogue? How is the dialogue among civilizations related to interreligious dialogue? Can such dialogue serve to create a significant and lasting communicative space amid our globalizing society?

We hope that this symposium will address many of the issues broached here and that it will provide a forum for scholars of religion and also for our colleagues in the greater humanities and social sciences. Our goal is to begin a discussion which will foster a mutual and positive dialogue among civilizations and an understanding of our shared global culture. The symposium panelists not only bring with them diverse religious and cultural backgrounds, but also a plurality of academic methodologies and research interests. Their individual views on the question of "Religion and Dialogue among Civilizations" are accordingly diverse. We believe that this diversity will foster a fruitful and penetrating examination of the many issues we currently face.

Panelists (In Alphabetical Order):
Luccheti-Bingemer, Maria Clara (Professor, Pontificia Universidade Catolica do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
Oda, Yoshiko (Professor, Kansai University, Japan)
Van Ginkel, Hans (Rector, United Nations University, Japan)
Wei-Ming, Tu (Director, Harvard-Yenching Institute, USA)

Chair:
Shimazono, Susumu (University of Tokyo, Japan)