In the aftermath of the horrific Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in the U.S., the world has never been in such confusion over how to realize the most dignified and challenging task of humankind _ achieving world peace.

Dr. Choue Young-seek, 80, founder and chancellor of the Kyung Hee University System, says that resuming dialogue between diverse civilizations is the first step on that path.

``The Sept. 11 terrorist attacks are a direct result of the exclusionist nationalism, hegemonic militarism, dogmatic class ideology and religious fundamentalism that has gripped modern society,'' Choue lamented.

``These negative ideologies have ripped our global society apart, inducing a `clash of civilizations'. We must swiftly begin seeking dialogue with different civilizations, otherwise peace will never be achieved,'' he said at an interview with The Korea Times.

Since Choue propelled the establishment of the U.N. International Day of Peace in 1982, he has endeavored to promote the spirit of peace and humanity by hosting international peace conferences every year.

This year was no exception, as the 2001 International Peace Conference ended its two-day program yesterday held under the theme, ``Toward a Global Common Society Through Dialogue Among Citizens.''

He said this year's meeting was especially meaningful, as it was held at a time when the whole world is wondering whether peace can ever be achieved after the terrorist attacks in the U.S..

``Religious fundamentalism and extreme nationalistic beliefs have brought on the deadly terrorist attacks,'' he said.

``Those beliefs have made diverse civilizations drift more and more apart, and the apathy they feel with one another is intensifying,'' he commented.

Choue pointed that the current international climate is dangerously similar to the time when he first took the mission of establishing the U.N. International Day of Peace in 1981.

``At the time, the ideological conflicts between the eastern and western worlds were reaching their peak, with threats of a nuclear war gripping the entire global community,'' he recalled.

``Virtually the only thing that's different now from 20 years ago is that international conflicts are just starting to emerge,'' he said, adding the terrorist attacks is only the beginning of a long dark struggle to realize world peace.

``With the development of society and materialism, science and technology have taken the place of human in leading society, thus resulting in severe human alienation. We must start a Neo-Renaissance movement, so that we could see the human-oriented society established once again, and promote a global common society based on peace, cooperation and prosperity for all,'' the chancellor stated.

Choue said the Universal Declaration of Global Common Society, which was adopted yesterday at the end of this year's conference, can serve as one of the guidelines to reach that noble aim.

``We should bring about a humanistic and culture-oriented society through developing a human-centered information society, so that we can achieve a truly universal democracy which will ensure both freedom and equality,'' he emphasized