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Local Government and Interculturalism HELLENIC REPUBLIC MINISTRY OF INTERIOR MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND INTERCULTURALISM THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE GREEK LOCAL AUTHORITIES TO THE INTERCULTURAL DIALOGUE TODAY ΑTHENS 2008 This study was edited both in Greek and English in September 2008 by a committee headed by the Director General of Local Government of the Ministry of Interior, Grigorios Freskos, including the following members: Vicky Giavi, Head of the Directorate of Organisation and Functioning of Local Authorities of the Ministry of Interior. Dr. Antonios Karvounis, Administrative Officer of the Directorate of Organisation and Functioning of Local Authorities of the Ministry of Interior. Dimitrios Tzanakis, Expert - Ambassador Counsellor B΄ of the Directorate E1 of the Educational and Cultural Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affiars. Stavros Toufeggopoulos, Mayor of Exaplatanos, representative of the Central Union of the Hellenic Municipalities and Commutities (KEDKE). Anna Vagiona, Officer of the Hellenic Agency of Local Development and Local Government (ΕΕΤΑΑ). The study was translated by Elena Asimaki, Translator of the Hellenic Agency of Local Development and Local Government (EETAA). Copyright © 2008 Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Foreign Affairs. First edition published 2008. All rights reserved. FOREWORD Multiculturalism is already a reality for all the modern societies, which, due to globalization processes and peoples’ mobility, are consisted of groups of people of diverse colour, religious convictions, historical and cultural background. In this context, the acknowledgement of diversity and the essential protection of human rights become the main parameter in order to consolidate both democracy and social cohesion, which are the necessary conditions for development and progress. In particular, the full respect of the right to cultural difference is the first step in order to secure harmonious social co-existence. Thereafter, strengthening social ties requires also the cultivation of the dialectic relationship between the culturally diverse groups and the instigation of their substantial contact, in order to strengthen a full-fledged co-existence, as such suits well in every democratic society. For this reason, the decision of the European Parliament and of the Council for the declaration of 2008 European Year of Intercultural Dialogue is not just another measure of the first ever European Union’s cultural strategy. It’s an additional motive to raise awareness of European citizens of the elimination of bias and xenophobia and create the conditions for identifying cultural diversity as a factor of renewal, inspiration and development that would unite and not divide people. Such an endeavour cannot begin but at the level of local authorities, which constitute the most proximate to citizen administrative level and cell of local democracy and cohesion. The new Municipal and Communal Code introduced in our country a modern institutional framework of balanced management of cultural diversity and strengthening social cohesion. Municipalities and Communities can plan and implement programmes and actions of integrating expatriate emigrants, gypsies, immigrants and refugees in the social, economic and cultural life of local society, while the Code makes provision for a procedure of consultation between local authorities and all kinds of partners and the residents of their geographical area, both in the preparation of the programs and the local acts and in the decision-making procedure at local level, giving, thus, agencies of cultural diversity voice and representation. This study, placed within this framework, through an indicative collection of initiatives of intercultural dialogue of the first level local authorities, aspires to raise awareness both of the members of local societies and the bodies of local government in Greece, and Europe in general, towards this direction; what is more, it aims to provide them with ideas and best practices, regarding the consolidation and development of the co-existence of the members of diverse linguistic, foreword religious and cultural communities. Besides, diversity, being and developing free from obstacles and bias, enriches and becomes source of progress and gives impetus for new, creative beginnings in all sectors, enhancing the quality of our democracy and forging social peace. Professor Prokopis Pavlopoulos Minister of Interior Hellenic Republic FOREWORD Dear friends, The declaration of 2008 as the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue initiated an effort in the European Union to record the initiatives and actions of local authorities and communities aimed at intercultural communication and bringing various cultures closer together. The present publication – though not exhaustive – gives us an initial idea of the contribution Greek local government is currently making to intercultural dialogue. The relationship between local government and intercultural dialogue is founded on two basic premises. The first is that intercultural bridge-building is a vital tool in contemporary European multicultural societies. In order for one to meet the challenges of an open and less rigid cultural environment, one must become open to the rest of the world. The citizens of Europe, in particular, are facing the challenge of multiple intercultural approximation: on a national level, with their fellow citizens from different cultural backgrounds, as well as with citizens of third countries – mainly immigrants. On the European, supranational level, this approximation must be achieved with other Europeans. As our partnership relations become ever deeper, we will be called upon to know more and more about one another, focussing on common historical and cultural elements, without overlooking cultural diversity. The development, cultivation and nurturing of a common European identity does not mean the elimination of diversity. A common European identity rests on common values, one of which is respect for cultural diversity. The second premise is the role of local governments and local societies in this whole process. The gathering of ever more people in major urban centers, increased movement due to our single market, reinforcement of exchanges with the rest of the world through trade, education, recreation and tourism – globalization in general – are increasing the contact between peoples and cultures. In fact, local government is becoming the preferred field in which to prevent and manage any clashes that might take place; to ensure – in practice – social cohesion and substantial access to basic social and cultural rights; to strengthen citizen participation and interactive communication between cultures. Today, tolerance of differences and the coexistence of many diverse cultures is the first step towards creating democratic societies. But more is needed if we want integrated, cohesive societies and citizens who feel fellowship with one another in their diversity; citizens who will both send and receive cultural messages and live not in parallel, but together. In my time as Mayor of Athens, I experienced first-hand the vital challenge for local government in promoting and enhancing intercultural dialogue. We undertook initiatives to bring immigrants closer to one another and closer to the local foreword society. Apart from structures and programmes for individual interventions, such as Greek lessons for immigrants and the creation of a Citizen Service Centre for foreign nationals, separate structures and services were not created. Immigrants’ children were incorporated into the municipal day-care centres and municipal summer camps based on social criteria. Like all other women, immigrant women had access to the services of the Shelter for Abused Women, while the municipal clinics and cultural and athletic centres were also open to everyone – all residents, Greek and foreign alike. Despite a minimum of experience in managing immigration flows, an inadequate institutional framework, and any weaknesses in the social services system, this is the general approach of local government in Greece. And it is an approach that was not always the obvious path in societies with a strong element of diversity. It is our hope that the emergence on a national and European level of local initiatives of an intercultural nature will make a further contribution to raising awareness and activating local authorities to work for culturally rich societies with fewer dividing lines – societies with more solidarity and greater citizen participation. Dora Bakoyannis Minister of Foreign Affairs Hellenic Republic CONTENTS INTRODUCTION . .8 CHAPTER 1 . .11 THE CHALLENGES OF INTERCULTURAL DIALOGUE FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT . .11 1.1 Introduction . .11 1.2 The Concept of Intercultural Dialogue . .12 1.3 Respect for Cultural Diversity . .14 1.4 Strengthening Social Ties . .15 1.5 Conclusion . .17 CHAPTER 2 . .18 THE EUROPEAN STRATEGY FOR INTERCULTURAL DIALOGUE . .18 2.1 European Union . .18 2.1.1 EYID and the European Cultural Strategy . .22 2.1.2 Objectives and Actions of EYID . .22 2.2 Council of Europe . .22 2.2.1 Objectives and Conditions of Intercultural Dialogue arising from the basic texts of the Organisation . .22 2.2.2 The Council of Europe’s Strategy for Intercultural Dialogue . .23 2.2.3 The Council of Europe΄s White Paper on Intercultural Dialogue . .26 2.2.3.1 The White Paper process . .27 2.2.3.2 The main concerns of Intercultural Dialogue . .28 2.2.3.3 The concept of Intercultural Dialogue . .28 2.2.3.4 The conditions of Intercultural
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