17/04/2008 Session
In a world currently facing a ‘‘crisis of civilisation,’’ Europe represents hope for bridging ‘‘the growing gap’’ between globalisation’s technological progress and humanity’s ‘‘capacity to cope’’ with globalisation, said celebrated Lebanese author Amin Maalouf in his address to the Assembly on 17 April.
Before a debate in the Assembly on a report to promote ‘‘European literature,’’ the winner of the 1993 Goncourt prize called Europe’s progress ‘‘remarkable’’ in bringing together different peoples and cultures historically mired in conflict, but warned that it would be a mistake to become ‘‘complacent,’’ that the time has come to stress the teaching of literature, languages and culture.
In a press conference just before the speech, Maalouf praised the Assembly report as a ‘‘mine of actions,’’ filled with ‘‘practical ideas that can be applied to advance the teaching of European literature and languages.’’