Estb. 1882

University of the Punjab

News Archives

Conference

Conference 3RD Day - Session on “Converging Ethics for Glocal Harmony”
Conference 3RD Day - Session on “Converging Ethics for Glocal Harmony”


British journalist Yvonne Ridley, Prof Sajid Naseer, Dr. Munawar Anees, Ahmer Bilal Soofi were keynote speakers.
Freedom and liberty in the West are becoming an illusion: Yvonne Riddley
Islamophobia is as old as Islam itself: Dr Munawwar A Anees
Defamation results in complex problems around the globe: Bilal
LAHORE: (Wednesday, 4th November 2015): The speakers of the conference session “Converging Ethics for Glocal Harmony” said although it was a difficult task to ensure harmony keeping in view the horizontal and vertical schisms in most of the developing countries, however, ‘Glocalization' under the umbrella of ‘Globalization' would help mold local conditions, customs and values to bring them in sync with global culture.
The session was part of the 3-day international conference on “Freedom of Expression: Glocal Politics of Emotions' organized by Punjab University Institute of Communication Studies (PUICS) at Avari Hotel here on Wednesday.
Conference Day 3 plenary session was  moderated by former BBC Broadcaster Shahid Malik while British Journalist and writer Yvonne Ridley, Lahore School of Economics Prof Dr. Sajjad Naseer, Dr. Munawar A Anees, former law minister Ahmer Bilal Soofi were the keynote speakers.
Conference Organizers Dr Bushra Rahman, Dr Noshina Saleem, Dr Abida Ejaz, media academicians, practitioners and large number of students were present on the occasion.
British Journalist and writer Yvonne Ridley in her paper said that freedom and liberty in the West was something of an illusion. “No wonder there is a tidal wave of anger engulfing sections of the Muslim world”.  She suggested the only way forward now is through dialogue.  She said it was time for less, not more extremism. “The politicians and media editors should insist the right to free speech but with freedom of speech and expression comes responsibility,” she concluded.
Prof Sajjad Naseer said there were a lot problems with the ethics in the developing countries that need to be focused. “Ethics in developing countries are in dis and inducting ‘globalization forces' which will add to the already problematic situation and the future seems to be murky in this regard.”
Dr. Munawer A. Anees throwing light on the topic said that Islam can be rightly credited as a trendsetter in interfaith harmony. He said today there prevails a sense of planetary responsibility embedded in the rise of ecological consciousness while at the same time, technological convergence is shaping the lives of billions of people on this earth. Therefore the search for a common core for human moral action must remain the focus of our relentless quest for harmony.
Mr Ahmer Bilal Soofi said, “freedom of expression is our training of intellectual thinking, by this one express and evolves new ideas and perceptions. Freedom of expression needs to be developed day by day with passage of time but whatever obstructs progress, should not be freedom of expression.” He said that no one would be allowed to advocate and incite violence in the name of freedom of expression.  He further said that where one defames religions then defamation results in complex problems around the globe.
An active question answer session held at the end of every papers plenary session. As many as 15 research papers were presented on the final day of the conference.
Dr Ahsan Akhtar Naz presented his paper on “New ethical issues in Pakistan.”
After the plenary session the parallel session on the theme ‘Sacrad or secular: Politics of Emotions' was held. The session was chaired by Dr. Eijaz Ahmed, Dr. Ahmed Usman and Mr. Muhammad Sajid.