INDONESIA'S DIVERSITY SLOGAN SHOWCASES HARMONY TO UNAOC

By Andi Abdussalam
Jakarta, Aug 29 (Antara) - Amid different conflicts arising from diversities in the global arena, Indonesia is promoting its "Bhinneka Tunggal Ika" (Unity in Diversity) slogan in creating national harmony during a United Nations forum on civilizations in Bali.          "In our world, many people with respective reasons are suspicious about differences and diversities, which is why they create hostilities," Indonesian President Susilo Bambang  Yudhoyono stated at the opening of the Sixth Global Forum of United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), on the Indonesian island of Bali on Friday.          According to Yudhoyono, Indonesia has been cultivating its diversity through its 'Bhinneka Tunggal Ika' slogan, as the basis for developing harmony.          He cited Indonesia as an example, which is situated along the trade route linking the Pacific and Indian Ocean, for managing, for centuries, its relationships with different world cultures and civilizations.          "In a process that has been taking place for centuries, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and western cultures merged with local cultures to become part of our nation's cultural heritage," he asserted.