For some time now Joseph Camilleri and Aran Martin have been working closely with the UN Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) to develop a greater role for this unique initiative the Asia-South Pacific region. Several steps have been taken over the last 18 months, arising from the collaboration between many groups and organizations in Australia and various parts of Asia and the South Pacific.

This publication, produced by La Trobe University Centre for Dialogue and International Shared Wisdom is another importnat step in this idrection. With a foreword by H.E. Mr. Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, UN High Representative for The Alliance of Civilizations, the publication sets out the history and vision of this initiative, its strengths and weaknesses efforts made thus far, and ways in which the UNAOC can in future play a pro-active role in intercultural and inter-religious dialogue in the region.