Introduction

‘We can’t solve our problems with the same kind of thinking that gave rise to them’
Albert Einstein.

During the Universal Fòrum of Cultures in the summer of 2004, Barcelona experienced the highest concentration of thought, the liveliest celebrations and the most remarkable exhibition program the city had ever witnessed. Concepts, ideas and projects emerged through the combined action and interaction of dialogues, exhibits, performances, artistic expressions, workshops, the Peace Camp, the Speakers’ Comer, the 141 Questions for 141 Days, and the school project, as well as through the active involvement and participation of citizens and students, artists and intellectuals, visitors and the world-wide web community.

For as long as 141 days, men and women, young and sènior, from north and south, east and west debated and discussed on major issues of the global agenda. We reunited more than 2,800 speakers, activists, experts, politicians, writers, movie people, leaders of social movements and NGOs, citizens with a total of 200,000 delegates. The Fòrum event was both innovative and difficult to grasp, so it had to face both ignorance and fear of not being able to lead it.