Cultural identity must be protected in wake of globalisation

to lessen cultural identity in Arabia, according to Saudi industrialistAbdulla Al Zamil, chief operating officer of Zamil IndustrialInvestment Company.

Al Zamil, who is one of the regional leaders associated withthe international leadership summit, Leaders in Dubai, said:'Leaders need to keep pace with the changing world. We are inan era of alliances and merging boundaries and borders.

'However, we must take care to prevent a loss of cultural identity.

In many countries, the traditional way of life is getting lostand the public feel that their way of life has to be protectedagainst foreign influence.' Globalisation was the subject ofa Pew Global Attitudes Project, which is chaired by Dr MadeleineAlbright - one of the nine speakers at Leaders in Dubai, andformer Secretary of State in America, according to a pressstatement.

The project's advisory board members include Hernando de Soto,Henry Kissinger, Queen Noor of Jordan and Desmond Tutu.

According to the survey, globalisation, the free market modeland democratic ideals are accepted in all corners of the world.

Most notably, the report found strong democratic aspirationsin most of the Muslim countries surveyed. These aspirations remainintact despite the conflict in Iraq.

Majorities in 41 of the 44 countries surveyed say that internationaltrade and business contacts have increased in the past five years.

More than 75 per cent of those interviewed in almost every countrythink children need to learn English to succeed in the worldtoday.

People generally view the growth in foreign trade, global communicationand international popular culture as good for them and theirfamilies as well as their countries.

Despite the widespread support for the globalisation process,people around the world think many aspects of their lives aregetting worse. Majorities in 34 of 44 countries see the gap betweenrich and poor, the affordability of health care and the abilityto save for their old age as getting worse.

Al Zamil's comments came in the lead-up to Leaders in Dubaion November 28 - 29, where he has been appointed one of the CorporateAmbassador alumni.

Dr Albright is part of the highest profile line-up at a MiddleEast conference. Nine political, business and strategy leaderswill debate international leadership principles in front of morethan 2,000 delegates.

Leaders in Dubai is expected to attract more than 2,000 businessleaders from across Arabia and will be held at Madinat Jumeirah,Dubai, from November 28 to 29.