In Search of Understanding


Is a Public Diplomacy initiative fostering and promoting the Culture of Peace, it is mainly based on underlining and stressing what is shared and common among us all as human beings hoping to contribute to the alleviation of existing mutual distorted stereotypes and images among the Peoples of the world. It also calls for tolerance, understanding, sympathy and above all empathy regarding existing or seemingly existing differences; it is hoped that with these ingredients combined we would ideally and gradually be heading towards mutual harmony and acceptance, hence paving the way for a better tomorrow for all.

Through a chain of activities that include meetings, lectures and musical concerts of his own works in English, Arabic and Spanish and that also include Slide Shows and Dialogue; Kazem focuses on the shared human dimension, and the seldom-fulfilled dream of lasting peace. He hopes to share his belief that many of our differences are shallow masks, while the real us are the moments of truth shared by all when, and if, we can afford to let those masks fall off.



Background:
It is needless to stress the importance of fulfilling the following objectives in our world today; where mutual unfavorable, negative, and distorted images and stereotypes, as well as severe lack of understanding among Peoples of the world prevail; leading to the enhancement of the Clash of Civilizations rather than the needed Alliance among Civilizations and Culture of Peace.

Objectives:
1- Correcting mutual misperceptions and counteracting the effects of distorted stereotypes that exist among peoples;

2- Overcoming problems related to the globally-prevalent lack of understanding of other cultures;

3- Underlining and stressing common grounds shared by all, especially in the human dimension, and integrating this effort with one on mutual tolerance thus countering the theory of the Clash of Civilizations.

4- Stressing the concepts of humanity, peace, stability, understanding and mutual acceptance among all without finger-pointing or addressing specific, but rather focusing on the principles and concepts;

5- Underlining the urgent need to control the emerging negative wave of global intolerance, and to avoid the vicious circle of violence and counter violence.

Through integrating tolerance with honest, humanitarian, and spontaneous focus on what is common, there is hope for the gradual alleviation of problems arising from mutual misunderstanding, distorted stereotypes and negative imagery, ideally culminating into a better future for all.

In the framework of his project, Kazem's recent activities included two tours in the USA, Washington D.C. and Maryland, May 2005 and March 2006; in addition to various diverse activities in Spain and Egypt. These activities were very well received by the targeted groups and the Media, including the Washington Post, (The US), The Spanish TVE program Telediario (Spain), and Al-ahram newspaper and the Egyptian Nile TV channel (Egypt).

The events include original songs and musical arrangements by Mohamed Kazem, Vocals and Guitar, solo or accompanied by other musician friends or colleagues, and a photographer friend for the slide show and the photos accompanying the songs.