George W Bush is a good example of not listening, not learning and only leading,” said Ramin Jahanbegloo, an Iranian intellectual, during a discussion at the India International Centre on Monday for the launch of Beyond Violence: Principles for an Open Century by Italy’s Ambassador to India, Roberto Toscano (picture) and Jahanbegloo.Expounding on smoothing relations between the two countries, Jahanbegloo, currently professor at the University of Toronto, said to an august gathering of diplomats, “The key to maintaining good relations is listening, learning and leading.” The hour-long discussion meandered from deconstructing the meaning of violence, riot and authority to the situation in the erstwhile Soviet Union. Toscano, who also taught international relations at the University of Rome when he was Head of Policy Planning at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasised, “Cultural diversity is the call of the hour and we must protect it in the same way as we do bio-diversity”. Asked how he managed to squeeze time for the book which presents proposals on dealing with the issue of violence, Toscano quipped, “No sports, no going to clubs”. When quizzed on whether he’d write fiction as well, he said, “I wish to but I don’t have the talent.” One diplomatic step at a time.
