Summary: 5 March 2008, Brussels - In the framework of the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue 2008, the European Commission, in partnership with civil society stakeholders, will be hosting a series of seven thematic "Brussels Debates" throughout 2008. The first such debate takes place on 5 March at the Residence Palace, and is organised together with the European Policy Centre (EPC). It will focus on "The Impact of Migration on Intercultural Dialogue", and features a high-level discussion that will provide important input for the EU's future strategy on intercultural dialogue beyond 2008.
On the eve of the first of seven thematic Brussels Debates on intercultural dialogue in 2008, the European Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture and Youth, Ján Figel', said: "Europe faces many significant challenges that have their roots in intercultural relations. We must meet these challenges head-on, and bring out the best in our continent's cultural and religious heritage. But we will only do this if we break down the barriers of ignorance through dialogue. With the Brussels
Debates we will be able to make a useful contribution to the future vision of intercultural dialogue in Europe. "
The European Commission's Directorate General for Education and Culture will host a series of seven "Brussels debates" on intercultural dialogue in 2008. They will bring together high level speakers and a distinguished audience of European Commissioners, Members of the European Parliament, civil society stakeholders, members of think-tanks, journalists and students to reflect the EU's future strategy for intercultural dialogue.
The first Brussels Debate will focus on migration and integration under the heading, "Integrating Conversations: The Impact of Migration on Intercultural Dialogue". It is organised in cooperation with the European Policy Centre (EPC). Vice-President of the European Commission, Franco Frattini, will take the floor, as well as German MEP Cem Özdemir. Speakers include alsoBashy Quraishy, chair of the advisory council of the European Network Against Racism, and Joris
Rijbroek, strategic advisor for diversity and integration policy for the city of Amsterdam.
The subsequent Debates will shift the spotlight towards other topics, such as -
• the role of intercultural dialogue in the arts and culture, in cooperation with the European Forum for the Arts and Heritage (EFAH), and the European Cultural Foundation (ECF),
• interreligious dialogue (in cooperation with the EPC),
• multilingualism,
• intercultural dialogue in the workplace,
• intercultural dialogue in education, and
• intercultural dialogue in the media.
The Debates will be chaired by journalist Shada Islam, who has written extensively on EU foreign and development policies as well as immigration and anti-discrimination issues for European, Asian, African and Middle East newspapers and magazines.
The Debates take place every first Wednesday of the month, in the Polak Room at the Residence Palace, 155 Rue de la Loi. Each debate will be followed by a reception to enable the discussions to continue in another form.
According to a recent Eurobarometer survey, almost two-thirds of citizens in Europe have an interest in the European Year's events to promote intercultural dialogue. (See http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/flash/fl_217_sum_en.pdf ). The Brussels debates expand the possibilities for dialogue at EU level, and their outcomes will feed into shaping the EU's future strategy on intercultural dialogue.
The official website of the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue, www.dialogue2008.eu provides background papers on each of the seven topics prior to the Brussels debates, as well as follow-up reporting.
More information : www.dialogue2008.eu
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