Leading experts in the fields of cultural and religious diplomacy, history, anthropology and public policy gathered for this plenary debate which echoed the central theme of the World Congress of Syriac Studies and the International Conference on Christian Arab Studies (Palace of Parliament, August 3rd – 7th, 2026): 'Protecting Christian cultural heritage in the Middle East: towards sustainable development and a culture of peace'.
Proceedings were opened by the moderator Cristian David, Director of the Institute for Freedom and Democracy, who emphasised the importance and timeliness of organising the two international events in Bucharest, before introducing Erkki Tuomioja, founding president of 'Historians Without Borders' and former Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland (2011–2015).
In his address, Professor Tuomioja presented the work of the 'Historians Without Borders' Organisation, and emphasised how regime change inevitably leads to a critical analysis of predecessors and the removal of the monuments they erected. However, a mature and cultured approach to history requires that these tangible traces and even unpalatable and unsavoury vestiges be preserved, not erased, allowing them to serve in the future as essential points of reference for generations to come. Respect for historical complexity is all the more important when dealing with diverse religious and cultural heritages, where true protection extends beyond physical structures to encompass the safeguarding of distinct identities and the rights of all individuals. In the Middle East, addressing these challenges requires the involvement of the population and the establishment of equal citizenship, protected by a robust democratic constitution. Combating discrimination and hate speech requires the universal and strict application of secular law, treating religious motivations as an aggravating factor rather than an excuse for violence, as fostering long-term stability relies on actively supporting interfaith dialogue and cooperation initiatives that promote mutual respect.
Brian Cox, Director of the Institute for Faith-Based Diplomacy, with nearly five decades' experience in promoting a culture of peace in the Middle East, outlined the ways in which reconciliation between the peoples of the region can be built by 'bringing together the estranged family of Abraham'. Professor Cox also emphasised that rapprochement between Muslims, Jews and Christians can be achieved by cultivating shared values such as love and hospitality, inspired by the faith of the patriarch Abraham, the common ancestor of all these communities. Genuine reconciliation requires forgiving one's neighbour, healing historical wounds and cultivating compassion, personal virtues and respect for the dignity of every human being.
In turn, Mark Donfried, Director of the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy in Berlin, drew attention to the fact that protecting the heritage of the Middle East means not only preserving manuscripts and historical sites, but also supporting the communities that create, preserve and pass on this heritage to future generations. He stated that diversity should be viewed as a source of creativity and resilience, not solely through the prism of conflict, highlighting the ways in which the United Nations' own Sustainable Development Goals draw upon the methodologies of cultural diplomacy to establish a culture of peace throughout the Levant and the Middle East.
Professor Birgit Schäbler, Chair of West Asian History at the University of Erfurt and a specialist in the history of the Near and Middle East, provided an insight into the intercultural history of the Middle East and the Eastern Mediterranean, highlighting the important role that Christian communities in the region played not only in shaping Christian and universal European culture in the early centuries of our era, but also in the Levant's emergence from Ottoman rule under the auspices of the great European powers at the beginning of the 20th century, whilst also addressing the region's recent history by drawing attention to the significant impact of the migration of Christian communities following the Arab Spring as a consequence of the wars and insecurity in the region. In this historical context, Prof. Schäbler emphasised the particularly important role played by religious leaders and communities in the region in consolidating peace. In her view, bringing people closer together must be supported through concrete actions such as organising cultural exchanges and school trips between countries in the Middle East, developing partnerships between regions, resuming efforts to establish twinning arrangements between Levantine cities, and involving young people in voluntary work.
Next to speak was Valentin Veron Toma, a researcher at the "Francisc I. Rainer" Institute of Anthropology of the Romanian Academy and Vice-President of the Advisory Council for Sustainable Development, who presented anthropological perspectives on the crucial issue of protecting cultural heritage in the Middle East, emphasising the importance of empowering local communities and living heritage in the process of preserving cultural identity. Viewing anthropology as a bridge between heritage, development and peace, Professor Toma highlighted how the destruction of cultural heritage in Syria, Iraq and neighbouring regions has catalysed an urgent scholarly and professional debate about the appropriate role this discipline should play in heritage documentation, conservation and restoration – debates that extend beyond the technical considerations of conservation archaeology to encompass fundamental questions about epistemic authority, community representation, ethical obligations and the political dimensions of heritage in itself.
Next, the Liberal MP Daniel Gheorghe highlighted the historic role the Romanian Principalities, through their civilisational legacy within the Iorgian concept of 'Byzantium after Byzantium', played in maintaining Europe's relations with the Christian communities of the Middle East, emphasising that the protection of cultural and religious heritage represents not only a responsibility towards the past, but also an essential tool for promoting dialogue, mutual understanding and a sustainable culture of peace.
The session's final intervention came from Ms Bianca Pavlidis from Uppsala University, who gave voice to the younger generation's perspective on the future of the Levant. She emphasised that younger generations do not view the Middle East merely as a hotbed of conflict, drawing attention to the importance of not only military but also human security for communities of all faiths in the region, in line with the vision proposed by the World Academy of Art and Science. and concluded the plenary session on a positive note of hope. To the younger generation, if human security is upheld, the future of the Levant actually looks more positive than we might believe today.
