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Expert conference

Global Commons and Universal Values in the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership

Challenges and Options of the Intercultural Dialogue

Participation only upon personal invitation

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“The peaceful coexistence of cultures and religions, both in the European Union and in its relations with peoples in all parts of the world, in particular on the other side of the Mediterranean, in the Middle East, is possible and of utmost importance for our shared future.”

(Hans-Gert Pöttering, President of the European Parliament at the opening ceremony for the „European Year of Intercultural Dialogue” in Ljubljana, 8th of January 2008)

In hardly another world region, cultural and religious commonalities and differences are as clear as in the Mediterranean. A peaceful coexistence of the western Christian, the Islamic and the Jewish culture is crucial for the success oft the Euro-Mediterranean partnership as a whole. The war in Gaza has shown the necessity for mutual understanding and dialogue in a painful and clear way.

But also apart from the regional situation, the EU member states face internal challenges which highlight the importance of a sustainable interreligious and intercultural dialogue. Such a challenge is migration. At the same time, globalization gives this issue a broader and worldwide dimension. The global interchange of values, ideas and living standards requires a growing commitment to the dialogue of religions and values. Thereby, it is possible to counter the existing fear of uncertainty and loss of identity. Growing internationalization of politics also provides new opportunities for a peaceful coexistence of religions and cultures. These chances can only be taken if the dialogue partners respect each other but also identify with their own cultural roots and their religious identity.

The dialogue of religions and cultures is an integral part of the “third basket” of the Barcelona process. The European Union has proclaimed the last year 2008 as the “Year of Intercultural Dialogue” highlighting the importance of this issue. It is of huge importance, that these efforts will not be just temporary but sustainable.

Therefore, the Amman office of Konrad Adenauer Foundation, which is also responsible for the Mediterranean Dialogue, wants to focus in 2009 especially on the dialogue of religions and cultures.

For historical and current reasons, Nicosia is an adequate location for such an intercultural dialogue. Through its history, its arabic influenced culture and immigration, the country is a bridge between Europe and the Islamic states of Northern Africa. As a divided city, Nicosia also shows the urgency of dialogue and peaceful coexistence between Western European and Eastern culture. The Democratic Rally of Cyprus, which within the framework of EPP is responsible for observing the Middle East, has established together with it´s foundation “Institute for Eurodemocracy Glafcos Clerides” a Middle-East Observatory, which can be a valuable partner for KAS.

The objectives of the KAS Mediterranean Conference 2009 are:

  • To establish and deepen political networks among political decision-makers and experts on the issue of interreligious and intercultural dialogue;
  • To intensify the dialogue about basic values within the EU;
  • To consider basic values of liberal democracy from the perspective of the three Abrahamic religions and identify common objectives;
  • To identify reciprocal effects of globalization and dialogue of religions and cultures;
  • To discuss the challenges deriving from immigration and integration for the interreligious and intercultural dialogue; and
  • To discuss Europe´s responsibility in the field of interreligious and intercultural dialogue.

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Venue

Nicosia

Contact

Michael Däumer

Michael Däumer bild
michael.daeumer@gmx.net
Gemeinsame Grundlagen und Universelle Werte im Euro-Mediterranen Dialog

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Partner

EPP Middle East Observatory