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Last update - 20:04 15/01/2008 UN fund for films to promote West-Islam cultural harmony By Reuters Tags: United Nations, Queen Noor  A UN-backed body working to raise awareness between cultures said on Tuesday it was setting up a $100 million project to make films to promote harmony between the West and Islamic countries. The Alliance of Civilizations was founded by Spain and Turkey a year after the Islamist train bombings in Madrid to foster dialogue between cultures and religions but has been criticized for being nothing more than a talk shop. At its first meeting since it was created in 2005, the Alliance said it was moving from words to action with a fund to produce and distribute films that promote cross-cultural understanding and respect. Advertisement Queen Noor of Jordan said the fund had already raised $10 million and would be backed by British businessman Richard Branson, video-sharing web site YouTube and the company that produced Al Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth" among others. "They say 'perception is reality' and that 'seeing is believing'. So let us find a way to show the world something that will change their perceptions and ultimately their actions," Queen Noor said. But some delegates at the Alliance, which has more than 80 members and works under the auspices of the United Nations, expressed doubts about just how much of an effect the group could have by focusing on culture. "Conflict is historically always about water, land, natural resources and poverty," said E.U. foreign policy chief Javier Solana. "We can't resolve conflicts by cultural debate and dialogue," he said. Others argued that a change in U.S. foreign policy and an improved prospect of success for Turkey's bid to join the European Union would do more to promote harmony between Islam and the West than well-meaning movies. "The UN has a peace and security pillar, an economic development pillar and a human rights pillar but it has also long needed a cultural, dialogue and tolerance pillar and we can provide that," Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos said. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Diskin's faulty math Haaretz finds the Shin Bet estimate of Palestinian civilian casualties is too low. Wooing minorities The color of Barack Obama's skin has returned as an issue to the campaign.   1.   How wonderful! 21:28  |  American Christian 15/01/08   2.   another 100 million pissed away because of muslim ignorance 22:53  |  terrornator 15/01/08   3.   UN do not waste the people`s money 05:38  |  Cristo 16/01/08   4.   So, a bunch of films blaming the infidel.. 19:07  |  Stephanie Anderson 16/01/08

Today Online 3 Gaza civilians killed by IAF as Qassam rockets pound Israel Responses: 277 IDF troops kill Islamic Jihad's top West Bank commander Responses: 85 Rosner: PM tells U.S. Jews he wants to hear their voice on J'lem Responses: 29 Amira Hass: Israelis don't get the extent of their domination over the Palestinians Responses: 81 Alexander Yakobson: Horrors of Amona leaves gov't too scared to evacuate outposts Responses: 21 Rosner's Domain Jewish leaders: "falsehood and innuendo used in mischaracterization of Obama" (WTR) Rosner's Mailbox: And what if Obama's a Muslim? With focus on Obama-Clinton race, veep chatter begins Olmert to American Jews: I want your voice on Jerusalem The case for bombing Iran (WTR) More Headlines 18:29 Hamas' Meshal: IDF raids hurt chance of Shalit deal and truce 19:19 Three Gaza civilians killed in IAF strike as rockets pound southern Israel 18:21 Mubarak to Bush: Palestinian issue is core of Mideast conflict 19:03 U.S. Jews, Christians upset that Nevada caucus set for Shabbat 19:01 Amy Winehouse mulling album of 'cool' Hanukkah hits, producer says 16:45 Security forces evacuate two small outposts in West Bank 16:29 Lieberman blasts Arab MKs, pulls party out of government 18:25 Bill to free Web sites of liability for talkbackers passes first reading 16:53 Bar-On: Lecturers holding 100,000 students hostage because of cash Previous Editions Select Day 15 jan 14 jan 13 jan 11 jan 10 jan 09 jan 08 jan 07 jan 06 jan 04 jan 03 jan 02 jan

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