The Parliament of Cultures is concerned with encouraging respect (and not merely “tolerance”) for others.

• It wants to build cultural security based on a sense of dignity and the assurance of mutual respect.

• It wishes to enhance what is universal and to encourage respect for differences.

• It is not endorsing a respect for differences based on “cultural relativism”, that is, allowing anything. Respect for human rights underpins the Parliament's work. It views international human rights law and the international humanitarian law of armed conflicts as providing a set of criteria against which cultural priorities may be assessed.

• To know is not necessarily to love. Some of the worst violence occurs within communities who live next to each other. Information and education alone will not create a world of peace. The Parliament of Cultures will work for a Partnership in Humanity in which it will both initiate new projects and co-operate with others based on a shared vision of human dignity, pluralism and interconnectedness among peoples of multiple cultures.

• It affirms that dialogue must not be limited to words but should lead to concrete action.