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The Norwegian Government has agreed to co-sponsor a high-level international symposium in Auckland to promote an "alliance of civilisations" between Muslims and Christians.
A former Norwegian Prime Minister, Kjell Magne Bondevik, will co-chair the meeting with New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark on May 24, a few days before an Asia-Pacific "inter-faith dialogue" at Waitangi.
The invitation-only event would bring together about 50 political and community leaders and religious experts, possibly including members of a group who wrote a UN report in December called Alliance of Civilisations. The group was convened by then UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.
