A/62/306 39. The Special Rapporteur also participated in the second “Global Inter-Media Dialogue”, held in Oslo on 4 and 5 June 2007. The purpose of this initiative, launched in 2006 by the Governments of Indonesia and Norway to address the questions raised by the crisis over the caricatures of the prophet Mohammed appearing in a Danish newspaper, is to provide a forum for discussion among media executives from various cultures and civilizations, and for sharing experiences and perspectives with a view to promoting freedom of expression, tolerance and peace. In his statement, the Special Rapporteur said that the media should take the deep historical and cultural roots of racism and xenophobia, and in particular of Islamophobia, more fully into account; oppose the intellectual justification of incitement to racial and religious hatred under the guise of freedom of expression; and reflect more profoundly, from an editorial, structural and participatory standpoint, on pluralism and the multicultural dynamics of most contemporary societies. He commended the Government of Indonesia and the Government of Norway for their original and inspired initiative, which is contributing to the promotion and practice of dialogue among cultures and religions in the influential but, at times, uncertain realm of the media and to discussion on the intricate balance to be struck between freedom of expression and the freedom of religion and belief. 40. Lastly, on 13 June 2007, the Special Rapporteur participated in the Core Cities Equality and Performance Network, held in Liverpool (United Kingdom), which is organized annually by an integrated network of England’s eight largest cities, after London, to discuss the role of cities in promoting social cohesion and equality. On this occasion, he discussed the importance — given the tensions over identity that have arisen out of the conflict between deep-rooted national identities and the profound multicultural process societies are undergoing — of promoting democratic, egalitarian and interactive multiculturalism initiatives in local communities. He stressed, in particular, the importance of promoting two central strategies for intercultural dialogue at the urban level: recognition of diversity and therefore the cultural, ethnic and religious specificities of different communities, and the creation of cultural, economic and social conditions (including urban development, housing, education and employment) to facilitate their interaction and their reciprocal knowledge. 3. Combating the defamation of religions and promoting tolerance 41. The Special Rapporteur wishes to draw the attention of the General Assembly to resolution 4/9 of the Human Rights Council, entitled “Combating defamation of religions”, which the Council adopted on 30 March 2007 at its fourth session. In this resolution, the Council invites the Special Rapporteur to report on all manifestations of defamation of religions and in particular on the serious implications of Islamophobia on the enjoyment of all rights at its sixth session. The Special Rapporteur wishes to inform the Assembly that his report, which will focus on Islamophobia but will also examine other manifestations of the defamation of religions, in particular anti-Semitism, Christianophobia and those targeting Hinduism, Buddhism and religious and spiritual traditions of African origin, particularly Afro-American religions and traditions, will cover the following themes: the deep historical and cultural roots of the defamation of religions, its politicization and trivialization, its intellectual justification and the impact of tensions between freedom of expression and freedom of religion. 07-49048 13