The World Public Forum Dialogues of Civilizations opened on October 3 on the island of Rhodes in the presence of 500 high-profile participants from more than 30 countries, running until October 8. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the Rhodes Forum focuses this year on Global Peace and Justice.

"As an intercultural, interdisciplinary, and inter-religious platform, the Rhodes Forum wishes to address major global challenges like political crises, economic changes and socio-economic problems," stresses Vladimir Yakunin, Founding President of the World Public Forum and also president of Russian Railways. Development Minister Kostis Hatzidakis addressed the inaugural event which took place at the medieval Palace of the Grand Masters.