'Clash of Civilisations' Conference

Meeting:

MQT on 2007-01-30

Session date:

January 30, 2007

Reference:

2007/0220

Question By:

Richard Barnes

Organisation:

GLA Conservatives

Asked Of:

The Mayor

Question

In the introduction to this conference on London.gov.uk you state, "The view has been put forward that the world is going into an era of conflict and war driven by a clash of civilisations". Has the Mayor actually read Huntington's work and isn't it true that this is an over-simplification of Huntington's actual views?

Answer

Answer for 'Clash of Civilisations' Conference

Answered By:

The Mayor

Date:

Friday, 2nd February 2007

In my opinion, the statement accurately reflects the key issues for London in the global debate generated by Professor Huntingdon's work. The international concept on the `clash of civilisations has implications for a number of areas of policy and service delivery crucial to the well being of the city. London's international character and its international links, the well being of its diverse communities and its security are all shaped by global forces and pressures, which in turn are shaped by policy directions such as that encapsulated by the `clash of civilisations' concept.