"Ignorance of languages produces intolerance"
Umberto Eco

For several years now, scientific events (congresses, seminars, etc.) have been allowing the use of the Spanish language as a tool for communications and work, although traditionally only English and French were used in scientific and other academic circles. The massive number of scientific and technical communities using Spanish, thus creating both a quantitative and qualitative presence of the language, played a very important role in this linguistic opening.

I have noticed that the Alliance dynamics is following this same path, by encouraging the use of three languages (English, French and Spanish).

Nonetheless, a look through the Alliance directory shows a weak level of participation of citizens from Arab, North African and African countries in general. The question that follows is to know whether the present linguistic practices are perhaps one of the explanations of this weak level of presence.

The human presence from Arab countries is very weak. Would this not be reason enough to actively encourage the use of the Arab language in this human adventure that we call the Alliance?

The Alliance dynamics would be innovative in its linguistic practices and at the same time would separate itself from the classical scientific and diplomatic models. To dare to invent and to intervene in new places, is this not what the Alliance is about?

Mohamed Benguerna (Algeria)

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The painting that you circulated in the last issue of Caravan, that made quite an impact. I took it and put it up on our notice board which is almost at the entrance to the office and everyone passed there for a while and contemplated the picture. Some took it down and read what was said on the reverse. Several who visited office did the same. One person in particular wanted to read Caravan No. 3 and was so impressed that he wanted to see the other issues as well as Butterfly Futures and wanted to know whether he too could be placed on the mailing list. In my humble opinion I think you have succeeded in achieving the perfect balance in the third issue and I hope you'll continue to do so. Savithri Walatara (Sri Lanka) (Center for Policy Alternatives 32/3, Flower Road, Colombo 7)

Poetry is the doorway to the soul. It allows us to see that which is important to human beings: our emotions, thoughts, desires, and states of mind. Poetry is the doorway to life. It allows us to take life face-on. It is through poetry that the essence of life can be expressed the most abundantly.

The poet plunges into life. He sees life through the eyes of a child, awed by the images and vibrations that life places on his path. The poet does not allow himself to fall into pretences, as do so many others in our society-against-nature. Instead, he remains young at heart, which allows him to live several lives at once, and to live them fully. Poetry makes all the wealth that is in the heart of man flow forth. It is an expression that makes us see life in a light that is closer to the heart. Poetry helps us to understand what the world is becoming, helps us find ways for people and society to evolve. It is often a message for our times, a way of correcting our too Cartesian world. More than ever, poetry is becoming necessary for the survival of our modern societies, allowing a moment to breathe, where stress over the economic race reigns. In our societies, where humans are unfortunately too often pushed into the background, and where more and more people are excluded, poetry represents the surest form of expression that encourages human fulfilment. Luckily, our contemporary societies have opened the door wide for free poetry, making it accessible to all.

Poetry allows us to live
Beyond time,
Beyond space,
Thus delivering man...from his daily burden.

To be a poet... is to relate to others with words,
It is a state of being... true,
It is to have a spirit in the process of becoming,
It is to transport oneself towards an elsewhere.

Poetry is for man
What dew is for the flower
It makes his spirit shine
Like the sun of a new dawn.

Serge Lapisse* (France)

*Writer and philosopher Serge Lapisse is director of CREH, an association interested in techniques for well-being, in nature and the environment, and in expression through creativity. The association organises an annual literary contest open to all Francophone writers and poets. An anthology of poets and writers of the CREH is planned for publication in the year 2000.

CREH, 33 Allée des pimprenelles, 33610 Conéjan, France

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