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Second ALLIANCE OF CIVILIZATIONS FORUM

6-7 April 2009 – , Published by: Alliance of Civilizations Secretariat 866 UN Plaza, Suite 300 New York, NY 10017 USA www.unaoc.org

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Disclaimer: This report seeks to capture key elements of the proceedings and discussion during the sec- ond Alliance of Civilizations Forum. It does not purport to be a transcript and is necessarily selective. It should not be taken as a complete or authoritative record of any individual state- ment or intervention, nor expressing the views of the Alliance of Civiliza- tions. Participants should be consulted directly for an authoritative statement of their views.

Copyright © 2009 Alliance of Civilizations TABLE OF CONTENTS

Foreword 6

Introduction 8

Outcomes of the Forum 10 Existing Projects: Progress and Future Directions 10 New Projects 12 Partnership Agreements 14 National Plans and Regional Strategies 14

Group of Friends 16 High-level Debate 16 Focal Points Meeting 20

The Marketplace of Ideas 22

Youth at the Istanbul Forum 26

Plenary Sessions 30

Working Sessions 62

Working Breakfasts 86

Appendixes 104 List of Participants 104 List of Organizers 118 4 5 foreword

The Second Forum of the Alliance of Civiliza- In addition to generating new ideas and areas of tions, generously hosted by the Turkish Govern- action, the 2009 Alliance Forum saw the launch of ment in the magnificent city of Istanbul, was a a number of key projects and strategic partnerships. success for many different reasons. Two points The reader will find in the following pages greater deserve particular mention: information on the contents of the discussions, on the current status of the commitments made a year Firstly, this year we asked our closest partners – ago in and on new initiatives presented and particularly international organizations which form launched for the first time in Istanbul. part of our Group of Friends community and civil society groups – to assume joint ownership of the Regarding the way forward, Istanbul has already Forum. We invited them to co-organize working provided a number of clear indications of the sessions, to engage with us in joint projects to be priorities that will guide our work in the run-up presented at the Forum, and to make common to the Rio Forum of the Alliance in 2010. Let me commitments. We wanted them to have a strong highlight five of them: stake in the Forum and I am happy to say that we succeeded, thanks to our common efforts! • Enlarging the global scope of the Alliance and streamlining and consolidating National Moreover, the second Forum successfully reflected Plans and Regional Strategies for intercultural what we have achieved during the journey from dialogue. Madrid to Istanbul: the tasks carried out to imple- • Making education and youth top priority areas ment our 2007-2009 Action Plan and the progress of action for the Alliance. made in achieving the Madrid outcomes. • Strengthening the role played by civil society The Istanbul Forum met four main objectives: and the private sector in addressing cultural diversity issues and developing closer coopera- • Providing a platform for an open, inclusive and tion at all levels. global dialogue among a wide range of players involved in promoting good governance of cul- • Developing joint projects at local, regional tural diversity and intercultural understanding and international level, especially through city and cooperation. These players include political diplomacy initiatives aimed at promoting better leaders, heads of international and multilateral intercultural understanding and preventing bodies, religious leaders, as well as representa- mounting tensions and the rise of extremism. tives of the corporate sector, the media, youth • Reinforcing the voice of the Alliance within and civil society. the international community, and making it a • Showcasing the Alliance as a platform for reliable, fully operational soft-power tool for a dialogue that delivers. global partnership for peace. • Presenting the Alliance as a global matchmaker In Istanbul many participants expressed concern by connecting innovative, groundbreaking that the severe economic and financial crisis that grassroots initiatives with makers and has stricken the world may carry with it risks potential funders who can help scale up these of increased hostility towards the “other”, often projects and give them global prominence. perceived as the cause of all evils or at least as an obstacle to solutions. Moreover, others insist that • Highlighting the political leverage of the Alli- the persistence of conflicts of a political nature ance, by showcasing the strong commitment of puts strong limitations to the Alliance’s outreach. its members to turn its political objectives into "glocal" deliverables. We must have realistic expectations about the Alliance and work to turn its goals into achieve-

6 ments. The Alliance is there to help prevent To help feed future reflections on the way divides, to promote good governance of cultural forward, I prepared and presented to the Forum diversity and build more inclusive societies - a collection of texts containing my ideas and societies based on equality, dignity and respect for insights about the challenge of managing cultural human rights, within a more balanced world. diversity in a world of increasingly diverse societ- ies. It sheds light on some of the key issues related There are signs around us that dialogue, together to the Alliance of Civilizations’ mandate, includ- with a multilateral and multi-stakeholder ap- ing the role of religion in supporting intercultural proach, may get a welcome boost. I have been dialogue and reconciliation, the challenge of impressed by the intensity of the many action-ori- integrating minorities, the need to promote de- ented discussions that developed during the two mocracy, pluralism and inclusive societies, as well days of the Forum in various formats and from as the central role of human rights in fostering different perspectives. I believe that the Alliance respect for cultural diversity. I called it “The Road has the power to mobilize high level, high profile from Madrid to Istanbul and Beyond”. Let us commitments in support of innovative cross-cul- move forward, because emergencies will not wait. tural projects and dialogue that generate greater And let’s keep united and firm in our conviction intercultural understanding. I believe that the Al- that we can change the world. liance is in a key position to galvanize support by (particularly GoF members) as well as by the corporate sector, international organiza- tions and civil society, with a view to developing a number of joint initiatives. I also believe that the Alliance of Civilizations is a unique example of the way in which the United Nations can adapt to emerging challenges. UN High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations

7 INTRODUCTION

The Second Forum of the Alliance of Civilizations implementation of existing projects, launching mobilized a wide range of committed partners, of new programs, conclusion of new partner- including governments, international organiza- ship agreements, fresh developments in national tions, media, civil society, youth and religious and regional initiatives designed to achieve the leaders. From 6-7 April 2009, nearly 2,000 collective goals. The report then focuses on the participants – among them several Heads of deliberations of the Group of Friends, which sup- , over 50 ministers, as well as policy- ports the Alliance, looking at the main themes of makers, foundations, media and grassroots leaders interest for ministers and heads of international from around the world – convened at the Cirağan organizations and the way focal points in national Palace Hotel in Istanbul, Turkey, to forge new administrations and partner institutions organize partnerships, generate ideas aimed at building their work. It further introduces the major inno- trust and cooperation among diverse communities vation of the Istanbul Forum - the Marketplace of and advance the Alliance of Civilizations’ goals. Ideas - and presents at some length how the youth The Forum also served as an opportunity to take have been uniquely involved in that major event. stock of initiatives developed by the Alliance, to showcase practical projects in collaboration with Against that background of achievements, institu- civil society and corporate partners and to launch tional developments and innovative practices, the new programs. report then sheds light on the many lively debates, which took place from dawn to dusk, from ex- The Alliance of Civilizations promotes “a dialogue changes between top political leaders to multifac- that delivers”, a dialogue supported and pro- eted working sessions involving representatives of longed by concrete action, with an impact on all stakeholders in the Alliance’s process. It offers citizens’ lives. It is therefore only natural that the a summary of the main points at issue and conclu- report should start with a review of the practical sions as well as a selection of quotes. outcomes of the Forum: progress made in the

8 9 OUTCOMES OF THE FORUM

Existing Projects: Progress and Currently, each email alert generates an average of Future Directions 7 direct inquiries. The RRMM project concluded a number of The Forum provided participants with an partnerships in Istanbul with key organizations insider’s look into the work of the Alliance of including the Anna Lindh Foundation, the Euro- Civilizations, with progress reports on its main pean Commission, Search for Common Ground, activities and achievements since the Madrid Gallup, and the International Center for Journal- Forum, held in January 2008. The feedback ists. An announcement to collaboratively launch and input received in Istanbul will help shape a Rapid Response Media Mechanism for the these initiatives, ensuring that they continue to Euro-Mediterranean region with the European respond to needs on the ground. The Alliance Commission and the Anna Lindh Foundation has also benefited from the insights of partners was made and integrated into the wider initiative who can help increase the reach and impact of named “Restore Trust, Rebuild Bridges”, jointly Alliance projects. Existing initiatives presented put forward in the aftermath of the Gaza crisis by and discussed at the Forum include: the Anna Lindh Foundation and the Alliance Rapid Response Media Mechanism (see below). The Alliance of Civilizations’ Rapid Response Alliance of Civilizations Media Fund Media Mechanism (RRMM) was launched at the The Alliance of Civilizations Media Fund expands first Forum of the Alliance in Madrid, in January the production of entertainment media, television, 2008. At the core of RRMM is an online resource and new media content that challenges common of experts for journalists covering stories about stereotypes and exposes audiences to more bal- cultural, religious and political tensions between anced representations of regions and cultures that communities, and across borders. This resource, are often ignored or negatively portrayed in mass called Global Expert Finder (www.globalexpert- media. In Istanbul, the Media Fund unveiled a finder.org) connects media professionals with three-part strategy, which includes: a. conducting leading analysts and commentators on inter- research to increase understanding of the impact cultural crises and their likely long-term impact. of media on attitudes and behavior through a Since the launch, the resource has grown to over research project at Harvard University, MIT, and 100 experts. On average, between 2-3 email alerts the New School University; b. raising awareness are sent every month to a constantly growing list of the research findings through a global media- of media contacts (currently over 7,000) to alert industry-targeted campaign to garner additional journalists about intercultural-related issues they support of media industry leaders for the Media might want to cover and offering names of GEF Fund; and c. producing and distributing content experts prepared to comment on these issues.

10 in film, television, and new media to promote From July 2008 to April 2009, youth organiza- greater cross-cultural understanding. tions implemented their winning projects. They reported on the results of their projects during a Media Literacy Education Clearinghouse Breakfast Session at the Annual Forum in Istan- The Media Literacy Education (MLE) Clearing- bul. Following analysis of the lessons learned and house is a comprehensive database of organizations, results of the pilot phase of the Youth Solidarity resources, best practices and events that are relevant Fund, the UNAOC will launch a new edition of to MLE, Media Education Policy and Youth Me- the program in mid-2009. dia. Media literacy education and media education Silatech policy are critical in combating cultural stereo- types, as well as developing critical thinking skills Silatech, an initiative of Her Highness Sheikha to evaluate media messages and source credibility. Mozah bint Nasser Al-Missned, is aimed at The site (www.aocmedialiteracy.org) is developed addressing the critical and growing need to with the collaboration of a growing network of 33 generate jobs and economic opportunities for partner organizations and it has become an interna- young people. The initiative promotes large-scale tionally known MLE portal with currently over job creation, entrepreneurship, and access to 24,000 unique visitors per month. capital and markets for young people, initially in the Arab world, where the highest rate of youth Youth Solidarity Fund unemployment exists globally. In Istanbul, details The Youth Solidarity Fund provides seed funding of Silatech’s progress since becoming fully opera- to outstanding youth-led initiatives that promote tional were announced, including the alliances long-term constructive relationships between that it has established with global, regional and young people from diverse cultural backgrounds. international partners to promote job creation, The UNAOC launched the pilot phase of the enterprise development, and job placement. Youth Fund in early 2008 with an initial budget International Network of Foundations of $100,000. During the application period, over 110 proposals came from a total of 55 countries Since the announcement of the creation of an from all continents. The review and evaluation of International Network of Foundations, in Madrid, these proposals was conducted by a Youth Selec- work has been carried out to identify four areas of tion Committee which was composed of 7 youth common interest: intercultural and inter-religious representatives nominated by key regional youth dialogue, education and translation, arts and platforms the AoC partners with. Six projects media, and the engagement of religious leaders in were identified as winners and received grants peace building efforts. During the Istanbul Forum, ranging from $10,000 to $20,000. a special session of the network of foundations

11 outlined its priority activities moving forward: education. The clearinghouse features resources knowledge exchange, information sharing and on these subjects including learning and teach- dissemination in the four focus areas; operational ing materials, links to relevant organizations, a support with a view to developing tools that help journal, events listings, a forum and news that identify projects and partners and build capacity; could be useful to teachers, policy-makers and identification of collaborative opportunities; and researchers. advocacy and contributing to public policy. Alliance Fellowship Program Doing Business in a Multicultural World: Announced at the Istanbul Forum, the Alliance Challenges and Opportunities Fellowship program facilitates mutual, substan- A commitment was made at the Madrid Forum tive, and meaningful exposure for emerging lead- to produce a publication aimed at raising the ers from North America, , and Muslim- visibility of best practices in the corporate sector majority countries to media, culture, politics, toward supporting cross-cultural relations. The institutions, civil society, and religion in each report was subsequently completed and launched other’s countries. It provides a unique opportunity at the Istanbul Forum. Developed jointly with for emerging leaders to learn about other societies, the UN Global Compact, the report, entitled institutions, beliefs and people. It also aims to ‘Doing Business in a Multicultural World: Chal- create an informal network of emerging and influ- lenges and Opportunities’, explores cross-cultural ential leaders who will bring fresh perspectives to challenges companies are facing, highlights good relations between different countries and regions practices and lessons learned and illustrates why and who will advocate for new approaches to pro- and how business can play a vital role in fostering moting intercultural understanding. This project intercultural understanding. is being organized in partnership with the British Council, the League of Arab States, ISESCO and New Projects the German Marshall Fund of the United States.

Education about Religions and Beliefs Dialogue Café Launched in Istanbul, the Education about In collaboration with the Alliance of Civiliza- Religions and Beliefs (ERB) Clearinghouse col- tions, CISCO launched Dialogue Café at the lects and organizes resources for learning about Istanbul Forum. The project is based on a bold the world’s diverse religions and beliefs as well as but simple idea: ordinary people have more in ethics education, tolerance education, and civic common than not and given the opportunity will

12 explore their common interests even across radical Restore Trust, Rebuild Bridges geo-political divides. Dialogue Café links diverse This cluster of projects was jointly developed by the groups of citizens from around the world through Alliance and partner organizations in the wake of third generation video-conferencing technology, the Gaza crisis. This initiative followed a meet- thereby creating a new space for social innovation ing co-organized by the Anna Lindh Foundation and exponentially expanding our ability to solve and the Alliance of Civilizations in February problems and innovate as a global community. 2009, aimed at assessing the impact of the crisis Dialogue Café’s development is being supported in Gaza on relations among and within societ- by an international multi-sector consortium of ies in the Euro-Mediterranean region. A series of partners, enabled by cutting-edge technology, joint actions were agreed upon in order to help and most importantly is driven by ordinary restore trust in Euro-Mediterranean dialogue and people. The Café proof of concept started with rebuild human and cultural bridges among societ- preparations for pilot cafés in New York, London, ies in the region. In addition to the creation of a Istanbul and the . Regional Strategy, involving a number of prepara- PLURAL + tory actions, proposed by partners, this initiative will provide a cluster of projects, including a rapid In Istanbul, the Alliance, in collaboration with the response media mechanism aimed at responding International Organization for Migration (IOM), to intercultural crises in the Euro-Mediterranean launched PLURAL +, a youth-produced video region (UNAOC, Anna Lindh Foundation and the festival on migration, inclusiveness, identity and ); a number of civil society diversity. PLURAL + will invite young people from projects promoting reconciliation supported by the across the world to participate by sending videos Anna Lindh Foundation; a cycle of international expressing their opinions and visions relevant to seminars on the dialogue among civilizations of these themes. PLURAL + is being developed with the Mediterranean presented by the Mediterranean the support of a number of organizations, among Universities Union (UNIMED); a workshop on them the BaKaFORUM, Chinh , the Anna conflict transformation for intercultural dialogue Lindh Foundation, COPEAM and UNESCO. A and overcoming hatred, as well as a Peace camp selection committee composed of youth and ex- (Council of Europe); a Seminar on Jerusalem as a perts from the media, migration and development city of coexistence between monotheistic religions sectors will identify the finalists and winners for with participants coming from both shores of the each of the award categories and age groups. Mediterranean (OIC); a training activity in capac-

13 ity building addressed to Palestinian civil society the International Organization of Migration, institutions working in the fields of youth and the Organization of the Islamic Conference, the culture (OIC); and an Intercultural Vade Mecum Ibero-American General Secretariat, the Anna (UNESCO). Lindh Foundation, l’Organization de la Franco- phonie, the Community of Portuguese Speaking Mapping Media Education in the Countries and the Union Latine. World: Visions, Programs and Challenges The Alliance of Civilizations launched a unique National Plans and Regional publication to help create a generation of in- Strategies formed media consumers capable of navigating their way in the complex and often polarized The Alliance of Civilizations is supported by a world of news and current affairs. Developed in growing community of over 100 countries and partnership with UNESCO, Grupo Comuni- international organizations known as the Group car and the European Commission, ‘Mapping of Friends. Since the first Forum of the Alliance of Media Education Policies in the World: Visions, Civilizations, this network has expanded by 20%, Programs and Challenges’ offers the insights of enriching the work of the Alliance by providing eighteen international experts who, through their ideas, insights and financial support. Members in-depth analysis, advise on media literacy policies of the Group of Friends have also created their and provide citizens with the tools they need to own National Plans to advance the goals of the make sense of the sometimes overwhelming flow Alliance. A range of practical initiatives aimed at of daily news and information. “The purpose creating trust and promoting mutual understand- of this collection is to map some of the most ing across cultures have already been launched. relevant practices that exist at regional level and to highlight the underlying educational and media In Istanbul, National Plans to advance the cultures that support them”, writes Divina Frau- objectives of the Alliance were announced by the Meigs, co-editor of the book. following countries: , Algeria, , , Montenegro, , , Russian Alliance of Civilizations Research Network Federation, and . , , , Turkey and the United Kingdom This network brings together a group of institu- have already adopted National Plans. Other coun- tions from around the world that will serve as a col- tries mentioned ongoing work aimed at preparing lective think-tank for the Alliance and will drive a National Strategies. movement to encourage cross-cultural educational exchange. Institutions that are part of this network Regional Strategies for East-European countries, share an interest in the four key areas of work of the Euro-Mediterranean region and the Ibero- the Alliance (education, media, migration, and American countries were also announced. With youth), as well as in other topics such as cross-cul- regards to the East-European Strategy, an Inter- tural understanding, good governance of cultural national Conference in due to take place diversity, conflict resolution, and city diplomacy. in the second half of 2009 was also announced. The Research Network will also provide a base of Concerning the Euro-Mediterranean regional experts to form “communities of knowledge” in Strategy, a set of initiatives will be carried out in different areas of interest to the Alliance. order to prepare its adoption at a meeting to be hosted by Egypt. Moreover, a forthcoming Re- Partnership Agreements gional Strategy for the Ibero-American countries has also been foreshadowed. At Istanbul, the Alliance signed agreements with seven international organizations, with a view to leverage networks and the comparative advantage of its partners. Agreements were signed with:

14 15 GROUP OF FRIENDS

The Forum featured two gatherings of the are governments engaged in supporting the Group of Friends of the Alliance – a growing Alliance through their National Plans and community of over 100 states and international regional strategies for intercultural dialogue? organizations: the high-level debate of ministers To what extent are they willing to engage in and heads of international organizations; and a action in three main areas of intervention, i.e. working session for the recently-created com- the “3Cs” – currencies (beliefs, ideologies and munity of Focal Points of the Alliance, who met narratives); communities (individuals and key for the second time. groupings) and context (social hostility and dis- crimination)? How can the Alliance’s National High-level Debate Plans and regional strategies for intercultural dialogue help? This working session was designed to facilitate an informal debate between ministers on a number 2. Rethinking the role of education as a critical of issues affecting the future work of the Alliance key for fostering respect and understanding and on practical ways to transform ideas into ac- tion. A frank exchange of views, based on partici- Fifty per cent of the world population today is pants’ knowledge and experience, provided input under the age of 25 and in some countries the for the work of the High Representative with a proportion is closer to three-quarters. Young view to shaping the strategic outlook of the Alli- people are the inheritors of a changing world, ance, enhancing the role it can play in defusing shaped by major economic, social, cultural and intercultural tensions and building momentum historical shifts. around common objectives. In the long run, education will be one of the The debate focused on the five following issues: most effective tools in shaping shared narratives 1. Addressing extremism and radicalization across potential divides. Education plays a criti- cal role in promoting peaceful coexistence in Polls show that the vast majority of people sup- today’s multicultural societies. To achieve this port respect for religious and cultural diversity goal, we need to strategically rethink education and reject extremism. But wherever and when- in its broadest sense - education for human ever communities believe they face persistent rights; education for citizenship and respect for discrimination, exclusion, humiliation or others; education for intercultural understand- marginalization based on ethnic, religious or ing and dialogue; education in media literacy; other identity markers, they are likely to assert education about religions and beliefs; and their identity more aggressively. Evidence shows education about world history. All these are that grievances, real or perceived, can lead to indispensable strategies if we want to make the violence and radicalization. world a better and safer place to live together in mutual respect. Building on what is known about extremism and radicalization, the importance of improv- 3. Fostering the role of civil society in building ing intercultural relations should be more inclusive societies widely understood and supported by members of the Alliance. Efforts should focus on policy Though civil society groups are very diverse and rather than simply on principles. have a wide range of functions, they can play a critical role in generating a sense of belonging What are the key issues in the struggle against across communities. By empowering individu- extremism? What is the best policy to win the als as citizens, they contribute to creating a “hearts and minds” of people? To what extent sense of group identity. Moreover, the pro-

16 motion of greater involvement of citizens in 4. Politics and religion: new paths for cooperation public debates and in forging public policies, community-based, grassroots and non-govern- Political radicalization of religion creates mental organizations can help shape common militant theologies. But disregarding the identities and strengthen social ties. relationship between religion, politics and international affairs and casting religion as That is why fostering civil society’s role in one of the primary problem in international building equal and inclusive societies is of para- relations weakens the positive role that religious mount importance. This role can be reinforced communities can play in creating support for through the development of National Plans for peace-building efforts. Intercultural Dialogue and Regional Strategies that are based on a bottom-up approach that provides opportunities to civil society organiza- tions to put forward concrete initiatives aimed at bridging intercultural divides.

17 Participants reflected on the following issues: and foreign policies. Over the last few years, the What can be done to open new paths for a war against global terrorism has been fought more inclusive dialogue that engages multiple on three major fronts: military, economic and levels of leadership particularly in conflict diplomatic. But it is not through military situations? What are the most effective ways actions that the struggle for the “hearts and of engaging in dialogue with leaders who have minds” can be won – therefore we need public a significant political or religious following diplomacy strategies that address the ideologi- or who are in a position to influence opinion cal dimensions of war: the war of ideas and the within their respective secular and religious foreign policy decisions it generates. communities? What mechanisms should be put into place to facilitate innovative regular We therefore need to move beyond common exchanges between religious and secular polit- assumptions and stereotypes and form partner- ical activists that can complement traditional ships that transcend the “us” and “them” view “track one” diplomacy efforts? of the world. What can be done to consolidate the role of the Alliance of Civilizations as a 5. Public diplomacy: winning the “hearts and platform for bridging cultural divides and minds” creating the framework for inclusive policies in international affairs? The Gallup World Poll consistently confirms that beliefs and perceptions of the “other” are major factors affecting intercultural relations

18 19 Focal Points Meeting – There was much reference to the twin challenges April 8th 2009 of widening and deepening the scope of the Alli- ance. As the Alliance kept expanding, some felt Following introductory remarks by the High that Focal Points had a particular responsibility Representative, members of the High-level to ensure a deepening of the work of the organi- Group briefly shared their perspective on the zation. Opportunities for regional cooperation Istanbul Forum. The Focal Points then held a and the creation of affinity groups and coopera- long exchange of views on the various aspects of tion platforms attracted particular attention and their challenging work, options for strengthening debate. Flexible forms of cooperation were indeed cooperation among themselves and synergies with needed, in order to improve the overall efficiency the Alliance’s Secretariat. Recent initiatives of the of the Alliance. Secretariat were highlighted: a regular newsletter Participants recognized the need to work at for Focal Points, weekly one-on-one teleconfer- regional level and to create stronger links among ences with Focal Points and the development of a regional institutions. They also felt that the template for National Strategies. impact of the Alliance at the local level can be Participants welcomed the second Focal Points enhanced by encouraging and supporting local Meeting, suggesting that there should be at least initiatives and facilitating their development and two meetings each year in order to undertake replication. One major task of the Alliance is to substantive work and achieve real progress. A connect innovative initiatives, actors, potential number of Focal Points described challenges in donors, policy makers, researchers, the private sec- their work and discussed the centrality and limits tor and the media in order to build synergies and of their role as Focal Points: providing overall complementarity among them and engage them coherence, managing information flows, relaying to work across boundaries. In that respect, the information, identifying the right interlocutors in Istanbul Forum has been very successful, fostering complex administrative structures, and promot- links and partnerships among a wide range of ing exchange of good practice. There was a clear diverse actors. need to learn from others and to reflect jointly The need for all members of the Group of Friends on the political dimension of intercultural work. to share the financial burden to support the work Several participants presented the main features of the Alliance was strongly emphasized. of recently adopted national strategies in their respective countries.

20 21 MARKETPLACE OF IDEAS

During the Marketplace of Ideas, some of the The Marketplace of Ideas was presented by Ghida world’s most exciting, innovative and lesser Fakhry, news presenter at English since known civil society projects aimed at advancing April 2006. intercultural understanding were showcased in front of a high-level audience.

The goal of the Marketplace was to present grass- roots projects which are unique, but also have the potential to be scaled up and replicated in other diverse communities around the world. By bringing these projects to the attention of leaders from governments, international organizations, business, religion, civil society and academia, the Alliance sought to inspire new thinking about current challenges, and to connect some of the world’s most dynamic civil society entrepreneurs with an audience of decision-makers who have the ability to give their work greater visibility and impact.

To that end, projects were selected for presenta- tion which did not already possess firmly estab- lished links with the UN system, and had yet to be truly ‘discovered’ by the international commu- nity. Almost 100 applications were received, from which 18 projects were selected via a comprehen- sive review process.

22 FEATURED PROJECTS AT THE a space for dialogue and build bridges able development. (www.amahoroyouth- MARKETPLACE OF IDEAS across communities. (www.respectmag.fr) club.wordpress.com)

The 99 Qantara Tools 4 Trialogue Teshkeel Media Group, International Qantara.de, International Three Faiths Forum, UK A comic based on the 99 attributes of Allah; An online portal that fosters greater under- A project that gives young British students each of 99 comic book characters is based standing between Europe and the Middle an exciting and topical encounter with reli- on one of the 99 attributes. The religion East by showcasing arts, culture and gious texts from within their own faith and of the characters is not specified, and the current affairs. The word ‘Qantara’ means then facilitates discussion with students positive value or attribute each character ‘bridge’ in . (www.qantara.de) from other faiths. (http://www.3ff.org.uk/ represents are inclusive and relevant to prog_t4t.htm) every society. (www.the99.org) OneVoice OneVoice Movement, Israel-Palestine Soliya Connect Program Ramadan Festival A project that develops, in partnership Soliya, International Bridgizz, Europe with negotiations experts, a methodology A project that links students from universi- A series of cultural events during Ramadan that addresses taboo areas where agree- ties around the world via a customized that is organized in multiple cities around ment between Israelis and Palestinians is videoconferencing application, providing Europe. The festival is aimed at foster- most difficult – from refugees to Jerusalem them with skills and experience to build ing social cohesion and building bridges – through an iterative polling process and more constructive relationships among between Muslims and non-Muslims. a series of town hall meetings. different cultures. (www.soliya.net) (www.ramadanfestival.org) (www.onevoicemovement.org) Intercultural Study Trips Be Seen Be Heard Be Known Connecting Cultures Initiative for Intercultural Learning, Commonwealth Youth Programme, Connecting Cultures, International International Caribbean A project that promotes face to face A project that brings together students An initiative to highlight and feature posi- interaction between young people from from a diverse group of countries (Uganda, tive stories of young people between the the Western and Arab world via short Rwanda, , Nepal, , European ages to 13 and 29 in national newspapers wilderness journeys to celebrate cultural Union, , , USA, Israel and Pal- and magazines with the aim of changing diversity, promote understanding, and help estine, ) and facilitates mutual national perceptions of young people in reduce the polarization of cultures. exchanges between them. (www.ifil.ch) the Caribbean. (www.thecommonwealth. (www.connectingcultures.co.uk) org/cypcaribbean) IMC Weekend School Social Mobilization for Change through IMC Weekend School, Netherlands Respect Magazine Dialogue A project that convenes volunteer profes- No Ghetto, , and the Middle Amahoro Youth Club, Burundi sionals who teach their jobs to children East A project which aims to connect youth aged 10-14 in under-resourced, largely A magazine produced with young people from different groups in Burundi in a post- immigrant neighborhoods, in order to from marginalized communities in France, conflict environment to create a space for foster connections with mainstream Dutch Africa and the Middle East to promote exchange and to enable communities to society. diversity, point out stereotypes, create participate in peace building and sustain- (www.imcweekendschool.nl)

23 Pakistan Madrasa Project Rafi.ki Tomorrow’s Youth Organization International Center for Religion and Gemin.i, UK Palestine Diplomacy, USA A large, accessible and user-led online A project which offers community outreach A project aiming to reform curricula, im- learning community where pupils and programs in Palestine to empower children, prove infrastructure and offer teacher train- teachers from around the world work col- youth and parents. (www.tomorrowsyouth. ing at religious schools all over Pakistan to laboratively to develop their understanding org) help strengthen education standards. of global issues through communication and (www.icrd.org) joint participation in educational projects. Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture (www.rafi.ki) Turkey Achieving Youth Potential! A project seeking to promote Istanbul’s Education for Foundation, The Intercultural Communication and status as an open-air museum, and a city International Leadership School dedicated to peace, understanding and A project that seeks to increase the employ- International culture. (www.istanbul2010.org) ability of young adults in the Middle East and A project that aims to bolster civic youth North Africa by offering skills-building train- leadership for inclusive and informed ings that have been designed with specific governance of urban diversity – piloting on 5 input and consultation from employers in the continents and in the Middle East. region. (www.efefoundation.org) (www.intercivilization.net)

Following the Istanbul Forum, the Alliance of Civilizations is working on an ongoing basis to promote the work of the eighteen projects featured in the Marketplace of Ideas session, and to connect them with other potential civil society partners, foundations and policy-makers who might be able to provide them with support. The Alliance website (www.unaoc.org) features a comprehensive description of each of the Marketplace projects, as well as video interviews with the project presenters.

24 25 YOUTH AT THE ISTANBUL FORUM

Introduction • Building of a Global Youth Movement for the Alliance of Civilizations supporting the efforts Mainstreaming the voice of youth into policies of the Alliance and its youth partners. The and initiatives aiming to foster understand- objective of this initiative is to mobilize youth ing among people from different cultures and organizations and individuals in order to religions is a priority of the Alliance of Civiliza- strengthen commitment to Alliance principles tions and its youth partners. In order to reach this and highlight concrete actions or projects objective in the context of the Istanbul Forum, advancing cross-cultural understanding. This the Alliance developed a two-pronged approach to Global Youth Movement for the Alliance of youth participation: 1) a Youth Event held imme- Civilizations will serve as a channel to high- diately before the Forum; and 2) the participation light the impressive and concrete contribu- of youth in the various components of the Forum tions of youth organizations to foster mutual itself, including in a number of sessions dedicated understanding and respect both locally and to the challenges they face in promoting intercul- globally. This movement will also provide the tural dialogue. The main outcomes of the Youth opportunity for individual youth to publicly Event are described below while the contributions make commitments to advance cross-cultural of youth to the Forum are mainstreamed in the understanding in their daily lives. The estab- other sections of this report. lishment of this large movement will highlight and leverage thousands of local youth projects Youth Event for the Alliance and a global movement of young citizens pledging to foster engagement Close to 100 youth from over 40 countries in cross-cultural understanding. A unique gathered in Istanbul for 2 days in preparation for aspect of this Global Youth Movement for the the Alliance of Civilizations Forum. The Youth Alliance of Civilizations will be the on-line Event was designed to help young people prepare sharing of results achieved through these for their participation in the Forum while shaping projects and pledges. key elements of the AoC Youth Programming. This event adopted a highly participatory ap- • Development of the terms of reference for Youth Advisory Committee proach offering young participants more familiar- the to assist the ity with the Forum themes and the opportunity Alliance in the implementation of its Youth to develop strong links – and partnerships – with Strategy and help coordinate the Global Youth their counterparts. Results achieved by partici- Movement for the Alliance of Civilizations pants in the Youth Event included: along with regional youth platforms. It was proposed that the Youth Advisory Commit- • Input into the Alliance Youth Strategy which tee will be composed of 10 young people from was the object of an initial consultation with youth organizations. Alliance youth partner organizations. The • Drafting of concrete recommendations for all Youth Strategy includes several Alliance-led Forum participants. These concrete recom- initiatives organized around 3 mutually- mendations were delivered as part of the Forum reinforcing objectives: a) raising awareness; b) Opening Ceremony and were mentioned and strengthening capacity; and c) sharing informa- discussed by several high-level participants at tion. Youth participants reviewed the document the Forum, including during plenaries. and refined its content in order to ensure it clearly reflected their challenges and needs in relation to the areas of work of the Alliance.

26 YOUTH RECOMMENDATIONS ALLIANCE which is composed of young people and 5. We underscore the need for objective OF CIVILIZATIONS ISTANBUL FORUM youth organizations actively engaged in representation across multiple media making the objectives of the Alliance a platforms including web, film, television, Delivered during the Opening Ceremony, central part of their daily lives. As this and the video gaming industries. April 6, 2009 Global Youth Movement for the Alliance of Civilizations aims to highlight the 6. In order to fully realize the objective of On behalf of the youth delegates who have innovative contribution of youth, young the Alliance of Civilizations, the dignity participated during the last two days in people call on all UN AoC partners to of every migrant must be respected the Youth Event organized as part of the support it in any way they can. through a human rights approach. Alliance of Civilizations Istanbul Forum, we are honored to share the following 3. We also developed a Youth Advisory 7. We are convinced that youth exchanges recommendations with all the Forum Committee to assist the Alliance of and people-to-people contacts are participants. Civilizations in the implementation of some of the most effective ways to fight its Youth Strategy and the management stereotypes while putting the emphasis 1. We are fully committed to capitalize of the Global Youth Movement for the on the values of understanding, respect on recent progress make in advancing Alliance of Civilizations. and dialogue. youth participation for cross-cultural understanding and are calling on 4. We are calling on governments to We hope that our view and recommenda- decision-makers to work closely with universally implement the right to tions can help share your discussion and the UN Alliance of Civilizations in fur- education for all as a key to sustainable inspire creative and productive approach- thering this goal. peace, focusing on developing nations es to fostering intercultural understanding. and areas of greatest need, and ac- 2. We launched the Global Youth Move- knowledge that peace education needs ment for the Alliance of Civilizations to address all levels of society.

27 “The elements that unite us outnumber the elements that divide us. Harmony, mutual compassion and tolerance are innate to human nature. What we need to do is to activate this nature.”

HE Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Prime Minister of the Turkish Republic

28 “We need to develop a sense of dialogue which above all means knowing how to listen, to understand, to accept and to respect different points of view. It is also about knowing how to build room for constructive dissent. Constructive dissent means that we can disagree over certain issues, that disagreement need not trigger any rise in tensions and should not stop potential partners from working together.”

HE President Jorge Sampaio, High Representative for the UN Alliance of Civilizations

29 PLENARY SESSIONS

Opening Plenary between different cultures. Citing several examples from the work of the Alliance, he highlighted the Welcoming remarks were delivered to Forum importance of building better relations between participants by the Prime Minister of Turkey, cultures and communities as a crucial component Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President of the Govern- of the global peace-building agenda. ment of Spain, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, and the High Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon focused his Representative of the Alliance of Civilizations remarks on presenting the Alliance as a proactive President Jorge Sampaio. mechanism within the United Nations that helps douse potential crises before they grow. Further- Opening the Forum, Prime Minister Erdoğan more, he stressed that the global economic crisis spoke about Turkey’s long history of diversity and may worsen growing cross-cultural divides, there- culture of coexistence, which laid the basis for the by increasing the relevance of the Alliance’s work. country’s enduring support of the Alliance of Civ- Finally, he inspired the delegates in attendance to ilizations. The Prime Minister called for a focus act urgently on such issues in their own countries on addressing the underlying causes of extremism by listing some of the outcomes of the Forum. and the creation of an international culture of solidarity, and noted that the rapid expansion of The High Representative for the Alliance of Civili- the Alliance’s Group of Friends over the last year zations, President Jorge Sampaio, also emphasized offered the potential to do just that. the urgency of the Alliance’s mission, with the economic crisis and other global challenges already President Zapatero reaffirmed the message of Prime threatening to undermine international security Minister Erdoğan, noting that the Second Forum and societal stability. He noted the unique role of of the Alliance represented a consolidation of the the Alliance within the UN system, working with project, and the emergence of the Alliance as a seri- a broad range of partners, including the grassroots, ous convening place for advancing tolerance and re- corporations, young people, journalists, founda- spect. President Zapatero emphasized the potential tions, and governments. He noted that the Alliance of the Alliance to contribute towards the broader works at multiple levels in societies around the agenda of global security, through aiding the fight world to develop and implement new ideas, new against poverty and social injustice, and support- thinking and innovative action. In closing, he ing other international actors – including NATO expressed the aspiration that the Alliance continues – by helping to defuse tensions and build bridges to work as a platform for dialogue – that delivers.

30 “The Alliance of Civilizations is fast becoming the common space for tolerance and respect… it is an organization that is founded upon the best values that inspired the establishment of the United Nations: the ideal of peace, the highest ideal human beings can aspire to.”

HE José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, President of the

31 “All too often, the United Nations must deal with fires after they break out. Through the Alliance of Civilizations, we can stamp out the sparks before they catch.”

HE Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations

32 33 Plenary I. Shaping the Global Agenda in Times of Crisis – Why Does Good Governance of Cultural Diversity Matter?

Moderated by Mr. Riz Khan of , as a country that is becoming increasingly diverse the first Plenary sought to address why good gov- through the of new immigrants. ernance of cultural diversity matters. This question is particularly relevant in the context of a changing This latter point was emphasized by the Bulgar- world, where technology has allowed for unprece- ian President, HE Mr. Giorgi Parvonov who, in dented levels of connectivity between peoples while his remarks, also suggested Bulgaria as a model disparities in opportunity have created unique mi- of dialogue for the . In Bulgaria, Mr. gration flows between regions. The session brought Parvonov explained, members of different ethnici- together a number of heads of state, international ties and faiths have had a long history of peaceful organizations, and prominent opinion leaders. co-existence.

The President of , HE Mrs. Tarja The , HE Mr. Danilo Türk, Halonen, opened the session by discussing the focused on the need to discuss issues of cultural challenges of enabling balance in society that diversity among youth, a group which constitutes encourages everyone to respect the cultures and nearly fifty percent of the world’s population. backgrounds of others, but also gives them the Moreover, he noted that there is a correlation opportunity to be proud of their own culture. In between people who engage in intercultural her view, this is an ongoing challenge in Finland, dialogue and participate in various interfaith fora

“We are not isolated from the world. Everybody should learn more about other cultures – respecting them while at the same time being proud of his or her own culture.”

HE Mrs.

34 and the level of education. For dialogue to be make it a priority to intensify cooperation with effective then, it must be made more inclusive and Muslim-majority countries. accessible to everyone. HE Mr. Mohammad Khatami, former President Beyond the above, religion also requires special of Iran, added that human history is not mainly attention according to the Secretary-General characterized by conflict between different cul- of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, tures and religions, but rather, by their confluence HE Mr. Ekmeleddin Ïhsanoğlu. He stated that, and open exchange. He emphasized the common- while there had been a very successful historical ality between the major faiths of the world, and reconciliation between Christianity and Juda- in particular the Abrahamic faiths. Significantly, ism, a historical reconciliation between Islam and he also pointed to the need to address political, Christianity was now needed. economic, and social injustices in different parts of the world. According to Mr. Khatami, these HE Mr. Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Secretary- injustices have less to do with civilizations and General of NATO and former Prime Minister of cultures than with the diverging interests of dif- , spoke on the delicate balance between ferent parties over resources. respect for religions and freedom of expression. Mr. Rasmussen announced that during his tenure Mr. Enrique Iglesias, Secretary-General of the at NATO he would pay special attention to the Ibero-American Secretariat (SEGIB), stressed cultural and religious sensibilities of others, and the need to look at the likely effects the current

“Bulgaria is a model of dialogue for the Balkans. In Bulgaria, members of different ethnicities and faiths have had a long history of peaceful co-existence.”

HE Mr. Giorgi Parvonov

35 “Young people constitute an enormous potential. At the beginning of this conference, we heard an impressive message from the Youth Forum. It made a short list of priorities: Education, Dialogue and Respect for the dignity of migrants and minorities. If young people are capable of articulating an agenda with such clarity and focus, I think they are offering something very promising.”

HE Mr. Danilo Türc

economic crisis will have on relations between Asked whether globalization is likely to increase cultures. More specifically, rising unemployment, tensions between cultures, the panelists acknowl- declining incomes, and increased migration will edged the difficulties that are inherent with greater lead to new social tensions. However, according interdependence. At the same time, they asserted to him, this challenging situation also brings that greater connectivity also allows for greater opportunities. As the financial architecture of the interaction between people and more opportuni- world is changed to address the crisis, there is an ties for dialogue. Moreover, it underscores the need extraordinary possibility to redress the economic for better global governance as well as a movement inequities that have defined much of our history. toward injecting values that cater to the welfare of all people in economic policy making.

36 “Dialogue has not yielded what we expected from it… we need a historical reconciliation between Islam and Christianity… this will be a paradigm shift.”

HE Mr. Ekmeleddin Ïhsanoğlu

37 “Prejudices have to be confronted…that is why freedom of expression is the pre-condition for a frank and open dialogue… [but] we are all responsible for administering freedom of expression in such a manner that we do not incite hatred or cause fragmentation of our community…”

HE Anders Fogh Rasmussen

38 39 “Human history is not mainly characterized by conflict between different cultures and religions, but rather, by their confluence and open exchange. There are strong commonalities, for example, between the major faiths of the world, and in particular the Abrahamic faiths.”

HE Mr. Mohammad Khatami

40 “We are confronting the most serious economic crisis since the 1930s. I see tensions that need to be overcome. But I also see tremendous opportunities: the opportunity to introduce in the new society that will emerge, not only a new paradigm of economic development, but also a set of basic principles – dialogue, understanding and tolerance – which are embodied in the Alliance of Civilizations.” Mr. Enrique Iglesias

41 Plenary II. Enhancing Dialogue and Strengthening Cooperation: Connecting Innovative Policies and Initiatives

Moderated by Mr. Roger Cohen, columnist for HE Mr. Amre Moussa, Secretary-General of the New York Times and the International Herald the League of Arab States, remarked that, while Tribune, this Plenary focused on conflicts that stereotypes are, indeed, rife, the real issue is a divide people and communities across cultural political one. It is the reality on the ground, rather and religious fault-lines and on practical ways to than perceptions of the other, that shape relations overcome them. In his introductory remarks, Mr. between communities. The theory of a “Clash of Cohen highlighted the fact that, in a world where Civilizations”, which has been used and exploited the frontiers of nations are increasingly perme- by neo-conservative politicians, only applies to the able, politics remained nationally rooted, even fringes of society. Opinions shared by the main- while issues confronting the world are global. The stream, in diverse communities, do not justify this challenge, therefore, is to find ways of achieving theory. But as long as a fair solution to the Arab- integration while respecting cultural identities. Israeli conflict has not been found, tensions across In the context of the Arab-Israeli conflict, for in- cultures and civilizations will remain. stance, confronting enduring stereotypes through education and youth initiatives is an important For HRH Prince Turki Al Faisal, perceptions of issue for all concerned. Islam and Muslims in the US revealed interesting trends. As Saudi Ambassador to the US from 2005-

42 07, he witnessed determined efforts to denigrate people with the tools they need to interpret media and attack Islam, within certain political circles. messages, particularly when they are of an inflam- However, Prince Turki was struck by the attitude matory nature. That is why Qatar is developing of American citizens as a whole: he found them to a media literacy curriculum that will help young be keen to learn more about Islam and to discover people become critical media consumers. its traditions. This interest indicates that one of the major problems facing diverse communities in the HE Mr. Jan Figel, Member of the European Com- world today is ignorance of each other. mission responsible for Education, Training, Cul- ture and Youth, agreed that young people needed For HH Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al-Missned, to be given opportunities, not only because they Chair of the Qatar Foundation for Education, are the builders of a better future, but also because Science and Community Development, the three they have to play a role in shaping the present. The pillars of intercultural dialogue are youth, educa- fosters cooperation and exchange tion and media. Although education is a basic of best practices to help empower young people. right, there are still 150 million children world- In the EU, efforts are made to promote education wide who are out of school, a third of them living as a key to cultural integration. The aim is not to in conflict situations. This is all the more tragic assimilate or to impose a “one-size-fits-all” model, that young people have the potential to be active but to preserve a mosaic of cultures while promot- global citizens and to be agents of positive change ing intercultural knowledge. in their communities. As for media, Sheikha Mozah believed that it is necessary to equip

“I believe in dialogue among civilizations. The theory of a 'clash of civilizations' is correct only on the fringes of society. We must not let the mainstream be overtaken and exploited by this ideology… I hope that we are now moving from an era of confrontation to an era of understanding and respect.”

HE Mr. Amre Moussa

43 “It is important not only to develop policies for youth, but also with youth.”

HE Mr. Jan Figel

According to HE Mr. Terry Davis, Secretary- self-criticism. Talking about the Group of Friends General of the Council of Europe, the real issue, of the Alliance of Civilizations, Professor Aydın beyond integration or assimilation, is to create also underlined the importance for all members of the conditions for constructive dialogue. It is that group to develop National Strategies as a tool crucial to note, however, that dialogue can only to support the goal of the Alliance both nationally be meaningful if it entails engaging with people and regionally. who do not agree with us. Only such a dialogue can break down the walls of ignorance and pave For his part, HE Mr. José María Figueres Olsen, the way towards a better understanding of other former President of , emphasized the peoples’ culture and history. We should also move positive role played by the private sector in promot- away from the idea that dialogue is a duty – dia- ing intercultural understanding. Mentioning a logue should be enjoyable. It should teach us that recent report jointly produced by the Alliance diversity is to be embraced, rather than feared. of Civilizations and the Global Compact, Mr. Figueres stated that there were multiple ways in HE Professor Mehmet Aydın, Minister of State of which the business sector could play a positive role. the Republic of Turkey, underlined the fact that For instance, the Education for Employment Foun- faith and secularism were also part of the debate dation helped create job opportunities for young on diversity. He pointed out that there are several people in North Africa and the Middle East. ways in which religion and politics can be con- nected. For instance, justice can be understood Finally, HE Mr. Kasim Jomart Tokayev, Chair- both from a secular and a religious point of view. man of the Senate of Kazakhstan, noted that in However, in a secular democratic society religious the face of an increasingly diverse world, there understanding of any public matter do not have a was a tendency for nations to rally around their defining or determining power, though it ought linguistic, cultural and spiritual traditions. But to be respected by those who do not see a need for the world should resist forms of nationalism that such an understanding. To reach this understand- lead to hostility towards the other. Mr. Tokayev ing, we must be prepared, in the public space we highlighted the fact that, in Kazakhstan, the share, to learn about the other, about traditions multicultural and multi-confessional dimensions and worldviews other than our own. Indeed, lack of society were part of the country’s histori- of reliable knowledge is the malaise of modern cal destiny. An early supporter of the Alliance times. We must not only do more to learn about of Civilizations, Kazakhstan has been actively other cultures, it also is crucial that we exercise encouraging intercultural dialogue.

44 “Young people need to be equipped with the tools they need to be active global citizens.”

HH Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al-Missned

45 “One of the major problems we are facing is ignorance of each other. Civilization is like a tree that has its deepest roots in human history. Its branches, the diversity of cultures we know, are all connected to a common origin.”

HRH Prince Turki Al Faisal

“Economic measures only work if they are backed by a change of values. And values can change through a dialogue of civilizations.”

HE Mr. José María Figueres Olsen

46 “Lack of reliable knowledge is the malaise of modern times.”

HE Professor Mehmet Aydın

47 48 “In the face of an increasingly diverse world, no nation will give up its linguistic, cultural and spiritual traditions. But the world should resist forms of nationalism that lead to hostility towards the other.”

HE Mr. Kasim Jomart Tokayev

“Knowledge is the best antidote against fear.”

Mr. Terry Davis

49 Plenary III. Education for Dialogue: Building Peace in the Minds of People

A panel of speakers from various backgrounds Welcoming the speakers and audience on behalf engaged in discussions on the theme of creating of the Turkish hosts, HE Education Minister sustainable peace and harmonious relationships HÜseyin Çelik emphasized the role of education among cultures through education. This plenary, in building up “peace in the minds” and said that moderated by the well-known historian and High this required attention to children, libraries, and Level Group member—which is the group of curricula. Mr. Çelik cautioned that while we were eminent personalities that gave the Alliance its facing new situations, the experiences of the past founding vision—Karen Armstrong, opened with were important to remember and therefore history two films: one on Karen Armstrong’s Charter of education was quite important. In this regard, he Compassion and one on the Alliance of Civiliza- stated that both the positive and negative parts tions. Both films set the stage for a vigorous of history needed to be taught. Moreover, apart discussion on the nature of dialogue, the role of from particular histories, children needed to be factors both in and beyond traditional education taught the unity of humanity and learning to be systems, the role of perception and the linkages “accustomed to each other.” between knowledge and policy.

“We are living in unprecedented times… we need to divest ourselves of our own certainties in a compassionate way and engage with others.”

Karen Armstrong

50 Marcio Barbosa, Deputy Director-General of munities got together and learned and discovered UNESCO, reminded the audience of UNESCO’s from each other. He pointed to the important historic commitment for dialogue among civiliza- role played by UCLG in the projects of the Alli- tions, cultures, and people. He expressed his plea- ance and hoped to continue contributing to, and sure at the creation of the Alliance of Civilizations exchanging good practices on solutions for inclu- as a way to bring valuable new players to the table. sion, social development, and access to education. He gave many examples of UNESCO’s activities Mr. Delanoë emphasized that countries must pro- in the area of education to promote dialogue, such vide access to education in a very broad sense. He as the development of education material based on said, “Education is… developing critical thinking, UNESCO’s General and Regional History Series; learning about freedom and, most of all, learning UNESCO’s role in the preservation of cultural about respect of differences.” Mr. Delanoë also heritage to illustrate different influences and emphasized the revision of history textbooks to interactions; and the Intercultural Vade-Mecum eliminate rivalries, as in the case of France and project which will foster ties between Muslim, and closed with his optimistic belief European and Arab societies. that through the Alliance of Civilizations human- ity would build for the best. Mayor of Paris, HE Mr. Bertrand Delanoë, opened by highlighting the role of 21st century cities as places where people of different com-

“Even though there are differences, we should all live in unity by protecting our personal characteristics.”

HE Mr. Hűseyin Çelik

51 “We need to educate our citizens to be open to other ways of thinking and being.”

Mr. Marcio Barbosa

Mr. Candido Mendes, HLG member and Rugtvedt mentioned the Wegerland Center which Secretary-General of the Academy of Latinite, was just opened in Oslo as a meeting place and spoke about the unique times that we are living in center of dissemination of knowledge and experi- with the rise of new nations as important players, ences among education authorities. new leaders like President Obama, and the decline of the old ideas of center-periphery. Mendes de- Prof. John Esposito, HLG member, agreed that cried the platitudes on education, peace, dialogue, education of the next generation was important and human rights and called for action beyond but reminded the audience that this generation the statements. He remarked on the confusion mattered too. Here he highlighted the current between culture and civilizations, the perception role of the Alliance in practical efforts, such as to of terrorists, and the universality of human rights media practitioners to change the perceptions of and freedom. conflict and peace. Prof. Esposito mentioned that people needed to be educated about differences HE Ms. Lisbet Rugtvedt, Norwegian State because they must recognize what their differ- Secretary of Education, reminded the audience ences are and agree to disagree on some of them. that prejudice is not innate, but rather something that is learned. In her estimation, education The post-plenary discussion raised questions systems need to prepare students to show respect on practical steps to educate policy makers and for different cultures and beliefs while maintain- school children, the necessity to educate different ing confidence in their own identities. Human regions of the world about each other, and ways rights education was important in this regard, as of getting around traditional media in shaping was teacher training. In the case of the latter, Ms. perceptions.

52 “This is a historical moment in which we must discuss education as a learning process for peacebuilding.”

Professor Candido Mendes

53 “Education is… developing critical thinking, learning about freedom and, most of all, learning about respect of differences.”

HE Mr. Bertrand Delanoë

“Nobody is born with prejudice. It is something we learn or don’t learn.”

HE Mrs. Lisbet Rugtvedt

54 55 “Negotiation means: we have to first understand, we have to know our deep differences… we have to agree to disagree on some issues.”

Professor John Esposito

56 57 Closing Plenary and dialogue. He also underscored the broadening of the scope of the Alliance beyond the so-called The Closing Plenary featured remarks by HE Mr. “Muslim-West divide” and its focus on intercul- Ali Babacan, Foreign Minister of Turkey, HE tural issues in , Latin America and Africa. Mr. Miguel Ángel Moratinos, Foreign Minister of Spain and HE President Jorge Sampaio, High Minister Moratinos highlighted the importance of Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations. the Alliance as the “cultural pillar” of the United Nations’ political action, adding that the political For Minister Babacan, a consensus emerged from agenda around cultural interrelations needed to be the discussions, that none of the problems the included in the UN reform process. world faces today is insurmountable. Cultural differences were not, in themselves, sources of con- Finally, President Sampaio sketched his vision of the flict. In his view, the international community was achievements of the Alliance and of the tasks ahead entirely capable of solving political problems, even in the run-up to the Rio Forum. He recalled the long-lasting ones, provided that there was a strong main objectives of the Istanbul Forum: providing political will to do so. a global platform for open and inclusive dialogue; presenting the Alliance as a network of partners Minister Babacan underlined the importance of focused on dialogue that delivers; enhancing the role National Strategies for intercultural dialogue in of the Alliance as a global matchmaker, connecting increasing the reach of the Alliance of Civilizations innovative grassroots initiatives with policy makers and helping to stem the flow of extremism and and potential funders; and highlighting the political radicalization. The Minister suggested that “na- leverage of the Alliance by showcasing the strong tional leaders and senior statesmen of international commitment of Group of Friends members. prominence could do more to promote cohesion and constructive engagement. This would make it President Sampaio then outlined the key outcomes easier for us to reach out to those sections of our of the Istanbul Forum. In particular, he high- societies which are skeptical about coexistence lighted the announcement of National Plans and across cultural lines.” regional strategies for intercultural dialogue and the establishment of new partnership agreements Finally, the Minister recalled that Forum discus- with international and multilateral organizations. sions also focused on the global dimension of the Alliance and on the perceived need to move beyond The High Representative underscored some of the issue of the Muslim-West divide while retaining the key priorities of the Alliance in the months this dimension high on the agenda. ahead and, looking forward to the Rio Forum, he highlighted the power of the Alliance to mobilize Minister Moratinos was encouraged by the contin- high-level commitments in support of cross- ued expansion of the Group of Friends. He noted cultural projects and to galvanize support from that the Alliance started as an idea, developed governments (particularly members of the Group as a project and became a significant movement of Friends). whose mandate was to promote peace, tolerance

58 “We have reason to be confident about the future of intercultural relations in the 21st century. None of our problems is insoluble. All of our difficulties are of a political, socio-economic character, rather than civilizational.”

HE Mr. Ali Babacan

“As we are building the United Nations of the 21st century, we need a cultural pillar in the UN system. The Alliance is that cultural pillar – a pillar for understanding and dialogue among cultures, civilizations and religions.”

HE Mr. Miguel Ángel Moratinos

59 “The Alliance is here to help – preventing divides, promoting good governance of cultural diversity, and building more inclusive societies. It is here to help build better societies, based on equality, dignity and respect for human rights.”

HE President Jorge Sampaio

60 61 WORKING SESSIONS

Working Session 1. Learning About and Across Differences

Organized by the Education about Religions and Beliefs Network, ISESCO and the Network of European Foundations This session convened religious leaders, specialists The discussion emphasized the need for appropriate of religious education, international organizations, pedagogical methods for learning about religions, and representatives of NGOs active in the field of encouraging critical distance as well as empathy. learning about and across differences. Nine repre- Such methods should ensure: 1) that religions are sentatives from among the aforementioned groups represented as more than belief systems, but rather spoke during this panel. The session was moderated as dynamic ‘ways of life’ 2) that the meaning of by Dr. Ahmed Said Ould Bah (ISESCO) and Luce others’ religions is interpreted in a way that helps Pépin, Network of European Foundations (NEF). learners appreciate similarities and differences between their own current understanding and of Among the major causes of tension and misunder- different religious traditions and 3) the self aware- standing between cultures is the misrepresenta- ness and sensitivity of the learner. tion and stereotyping of religions. Education has a major role to play to counter this phenomenon. Such a comprehensive approach would enable Learning about and across differences requires not students not only to have some understanding only high quality teaching, but also good curricu- about religious diversity but also to be in a position lar content and effective teacher training. Such to view tolerance, respect and recognition as key learning should give pupils and adults the neces- concepts underlying freedom of religion or belief. sary knowledge, skills and perspectives to enable them to learn and benefit from their multicultural Presentations of national developments in reli- environment. gious education in the school system (Turkey, In- donesia) showed both the diversity of approaches Schools and teachers must have at their disposal in place (confessional, non confessional) and the relevant and adaptable tools and material to efforts made toward more inclusive approaches facilitate such learning. A number of panelists and greater religious diversity. A major element emphasized the urgent need to review school text- of education about religions is the teaching of books and examine how “the other” is depicted clergy to understand other religions. In this vein, in learning materials. Many also stressed that the rationale and methods for teaching about compassion and empathy need to be inculcated other religions to clergy belonging to a religious at all levels (media, educators, parents, etc.). The minority was presented. The importance of civil Charter of Compassion was cited as a potential society actors at the grassroots level – particularly tool to encourage the practice of compassion as a through youth initiatives – was shown through a means to understand “the other”. presentation of the US-based Project Interfaith, which teaches about different faiths through art

62 exhibits, architectural tours, and various training Council of Europe’s newly established Wergeland programs. Center on Education for Intercultural Understand- ing was mentioned as a means of exchanging good Several international organizations have taken practices at all levels. A book recently produced by steps to facilitate access to reliable and unbiased ISESCO with the Council of Europe and the Anna information and material about faiths, beliefs, his- Lindh Foundation on the image of the other in the tory and ethics. Several participants spoke highly textbooks was also referred to as a useful tool. of the OSCE’s ODIHR publication, the Toledo Guiding Principles on Education about Religions Ensuing discussions included topics such as the and Beliefs in Public Schools. UNESCO has also need to review school textbooks about the image produced resources relating to cultural literacy, of the other, including compassion and empathy as globalization, and ethics through ongoing projects a way to learn to live together, development of ap- such as the UNESCO World History volumes, propriate learning material to support intercultural Global Ethics Observatory, and new projects such education, and measures to develop high-quality as the Intercultural Vade-mecum. teacher training on these issues. Also, one potential way forward for synergy and effectiveness on The UNAOC launched its Education about these issues was for the UNAOC Clearinghouse, Religions and Beliefs Clearinghouse which works UNESCO’s Global Ethics Observatory, the COE’s with a network of partners to facilitate access to Wergeland Center and other interested parties to educational resources about diverse religions, civic develop links and partnerships. education, tolerance and ethics education. The

63 Working Session 2: Integrating Migrants – A Challenge for Inclusive Societies

Partner organization: International Organization for Migration (IOM)

Moderated by the Director General of the IOM Integration is a multi-dimensional process that Mr. William Swing, the panel discussion brought encompasses social, economic, and political fac- together the Mayor of Lisbon, Mr. Antonio Costa, tors at both the individual and community levels. the President of the German Association for Sometimes it has to take into account differences in East European Studies, Dr. Rita Süssmuth, the religions as a key issue. An approach that emphasiz- Director of the Shanghai Center for International es working with the migrants and not for migrants Studies, Prof. Pan Guang, the former Permanent is critical in helping to create ‘win-win’ situations. Representative of Turkey to the United Nations, Mr. Mehmet Umit Pamir and Father Mario San- The recent experience of cities has shown that tillo, Director General of the Centro de Estudios of all the dimensions that shape integration, Migratorios Latinoamericas. The debate stemmed policy making remains predominant: governance from the key importance of forging an ‘alliance systems at both the central and local level need for integration’ that brings together migrants, the to involve new citizens in an inclusive and open hosting societies and countries of origin alike. way. Modern societies need to equip themselves

64 with a set of laws and tools that promote access • Building bridges between migrants, origin and to rights, and help combat discrimination, stigma host societies, with a view to understanding and social exclusion. migrants as agents of change;

Panelists underscored the key role that political • Linking the work of different initiatives such as participation – through access to local voting – the Global Forum on Migration and Develop- can play in promoting inclusion and upholding ment (GFMD) and the UNAOC for more diversity. Civic participation should be recognized effective policy making; and properly promoted through processes that • Promoting good practices and mechanisms foster dialogue with migrants, draw on their to protect migrants’ rights regardless of their resources, and recognize them as holders of rights status (in particular labor and education issues). and obligations. This promotes open societies and It was also suggested that countries could produce helps preclude the prospect of having migrants annual reports to measure the level of inclusive- give up their cultures. ness, and build coherent and innovative strategies Additionally, the panelists and the floor under- for integration. scored the fact that the UNAOC could play a major role in promoting the following:

65 Working Session 3. Youth: Key Actors and Stakeholders in Advancing Intercultural Understanding and Dialogue

Moderated by Dato’ Amarjit Singh Gill – a cultural understanding. “It would be ill-advised youth leader from Malaysia – this working for governments and other decision-makers to session focused on meaningful participation of refrain from using young peoples’ ideas, expertise young people in decision-making. A number of and enthusiasm for the development of inclusive representatives from regional youth platforms, societies. Not doing so would mean that a large multilateral bodies and civil society organizations portion of society would not be mobilized to ad- came together to identify conditions essential to dress the problems that affect us all.” active youth participation in initiatives seeking to advance cross-cultural understanding. In a second round of questions, panelists were asked to elaborate on the conditions essential All panelists began by underlining the fact to sustained youth participation in policies or that supporting young peoples’ participation initiatives aiming to build positive relations in decision-making benefits society as a whole. between groups of different cultural or religious According to Mr. Adeola Ojeniyi, the Regional backgrounds. Ms. Lillian Solheim, Advocacy Program Coordinator for the West Africa Youth Coordinator for the United Network of Young Network, another reason for decision-makers to Peacebuilders stated that capacity and space are ensure meaningful participation of young people essential conditions to successful youth par- is that “they are key to the sustainability of today’s ticipation. For youth organizations, training in efforts to foster inter-cultural dialogue. Youth advocacy and lobbying can significantly increase need to be involved in issues that affect their the impact of their participation in government- future such as peace and stability.” led initiatives and policy development.

However, panelists agreed that despite recent Mr. Ralf-Rene Weingärtner, Director of Youth advances, much remained to be done to reach and Sport at the Council of Europe, added a third systematic and meaningful participation from a condition to consider, i.e. the legal rights of youth critical mass of diverse youth. Mr. Julian Lugo from all walks of life to meaningfully participate. Mendez, Vice President of the Latin American Dr. Fatiha Serour, Director of the Youth Affairs Youth Forum, shared his conviction that “today’s Division at the Commonwealth said that a com- youth have the responsibility to work toward plement to this rights-based approach would be global understanding. Participation is their right.” to “ensure that the decision-makers recognize that young people are assets rather than problems. It is Reflecting on Mr. Mendez’s comments, Mr. essential that when current leaders engage youth, Diogo Pinto, the Secretary-General of the Eu- they are convinced that young people are bringing ropean Youth Forum, stated that there is a need something unique and essential to the table.” Mr. to convince current decision-makers that youth Elshad Iskandarov, the Secretary-General of the are experts and knowledgeable about cross-

66 Islamic Conference Youth Forum added that in Israeli-Palestinian conflict, shared information on order for the participation of young people to have the youth participation model offered by her orga- a real impact, youth organizations should ensure nization. According to Ms. Sajadian, “OneVoice that they find the right interlocutors for the spe- offers a non-partisan platform through which the cific challenges they want to address. voices of young moderates are amplified.”

Regarding tested methods of youth participation, Throughout all the panel discussions, there was a Mr. Weingärtner shared details of the co-manage- desire to convey the fact that youth are not only ment model his organization adopted a few years tomorrow’s leaders, but today’s agents of positive ago. For the Council of Europe, it was important change when it comes to cross-cultural rela- to go beyond youth participation and adopt this tions and inclusiveness. The youth participation model which calls for co-decision-making in methods shared by panelists constitute the basis collaboration with the European Youth Forum. of a call to action for international organizations, Although not always easy to implement, this governments and civil society to fully leverage and model remains a source of inspiration, a target to harness the role that young people play in leading attain to observe the principle of Nothing about social and political progress. youth without youth.

Ms. China Sajadian, International Education Pro- gram Coordinator for the OneVoice Movement, which is advocating for a two-state solution to the

67 Working Session 4. Reporting Across Cultural Divides: Global Perspectives

Partner organizations: European Commission and the Anna Lindh Euro-Mediterranean Foundation for the Dialogue between Cultures

This working session sought to address a number such issues. Instead, education and promoting of key questions relevant to the Alliance’s Rapid better understanding among diverse communities Response Media Mechanism: Do journalists have were perceived as more constructive approaches. a role in finding common ground on issues that tend to divide societies along cultural or religious Others, however, claimed that many journal- lines? What tools do journalists have at their dis- ists in the Muslim world believe that, when it posal to address the need to report sensitively and comes to criticism or attacks on religion, double in a balanced way about stories that go to the core standards apply: when religions other than Islam of religious and cultural difference? How should are targeted, legal measures are more likely to the issue of freedom of expression be approached? be taken. The point was made that neither Fitna Are debates over freedom of expression and issues nor the Danish cartoons were exercises in free such as religious blasphemy political in nature, or speech. They were a test for the Muslim commu- are they symptomatic of differences between vari- nity, a deliberate provocation aimed at testing to ous sets of values that could be addressed outside what extent Muslims adopted European values. the political realm? The session was moderated by These incidents ended up providing arguments to , Fellow at the Adham Center for extremists on both sides. On one side, some took Journalism Training and Research at the Ameri- these events as proof that Islam had no place in can University in Cairo. Europe, while on the other, the conclusion was that Europe was essentially xenophobic. The discussion opened on the issue of freedom of expression and defamation of religion, an issue Some thought that a distinction needed to be es- that has been the subject of many debates at the tablished between attacks on religion and criticism United Nations. Some argued that freedom of of religious beliefs or systems. In Europe, there is a expression is an essential tool in peace building widely shared view that the law protects ethnic or efforts and should only be limited in cases when racial groups, but not religions. However, religions it has the potential to undermine democratic soci- are not only systems of beliefs, but can also be ex- ety. They also raised the concern that laws against pressions of collective identity and as such, should defamation could be used against minority reli- also be protected from hate speech. gions and to prevent discussion within religious Moreover, there was a need to go beyond the communities about their own moral values. More- stereotypical view of Islam and false oppositions over, some made the point that in today’s world of between “Islam” and the “West”. According to a global media access, regulation and control were study by the Gallup Center for Muslim Studies, not always the most effective method to tackle

68 most Muslim Europeans reject offensive speech. stance, for multicultural broadcasting companies However, it also shows that the more Muslims are to encourage discussions among international accepted and integrated in European societies, the staff: when a sensitive issue arises, they can con- more likely they are to show tolerance for criticism sult each other and decide on the best course of of Islam. action to take.

Diverse societies, other participants contended, al- Some concluded that there were positive outcomes ways generate a degree of tensions and sometimes deriving from crises such as Fitna or the Danish even conflict. The media to a large extent reflects Cartoons: they helped create greater awareness these internal tensions and lack of understanding of Islam within the journalist community; and of other cultures that sometimes creates divisions in the Muslim world they prompted for the very in plural societies. One way to address this issue first time a constructive debate over the issues of is to ensure that minorities are also represented blasphemy and freedom of expression. among newspaper staff. It is important, for in-

69 Working Session 5. Dialogue Café Initiative

Partner organization: CISCO

Moderated by Simon Willis, Global Vice Presi- Over time, Dialogue Café will partner with a dent for Public Sector at Cisco’s Internet Business wide range of international organizations in order Solutions Group and the creator of Dialogue to innovate and develop new solutions to create Café, Working Session 5 brought together aca- dialogue between predominantly Muslim coun- demics and experts to contribute perspectives on tries and the West, and to give a wider audience the need and potential for technology to bridge the chance to experience cutting-edge technology. cultural divides. Participants wondered if strangers would actually Dialogue Café is a social innovation project which feel the need to reach out to each other through helps ordinary people to connect using advanced this new technology. But the consensus was that video-conferencing technology. The Dialogue curiosity would draw people in, as was the case Café Project started with an international group with the social-networking website Facebook. The of students from three universities, representing Dialogue Café project could prove particularly over 35 countries, and is still a work in progress. appealing for young people, and participants

70 predicted that in time, they would start to build Participants recognized that educators and politi- communities which could even extend into the cal leaders should keep up with the new technolo- offline world. gies in order to communicate better. Moreover, it is critical that they support and understand Participants remarked on the relevance of Dialogue how a new generation of students and citizens is Café in an age of increased interconnectedness. In connecting, communicating, and organizing via a world where twenty-five people cross a national social-networking tools. Dialogue Café can play border every second, and in the aftermath of the an important role in the education of university great mass migrations of the 20th Century, there students, both in creating projects and facilitat- is a constant desire by people from all walks of life ing intercultural communication. The distance to find new ways to communicate with people in between parliaments and citizens can also be other countries. In that respect, the technology overcome through the use of technology, and it behind Dialogue Café could prove fundamental was suggested that there should be a Dialogue in facilitating communication through enabling Café in every parliament building for youth to face-to-face interaction across borders. Dialogue communicate with parliamentarians. Café could also potentially play a direct part in the integration of immigrant children.

71 Working Session 6. Empowering Women to Strengthen their Role in a Culture of Peace

Partner organization: Prime Ministry Directorate General on the Status of Women, Turkey and the United Nations Development Fund for Women, chaired by Ambassador Ann Dismorr

While women suffer disproportionately in situ- issue within the priority areas of the Alliance of ations of conflict, they are major contributors to Civilizations. peace-building efforts around the world and po- tent agents of change when their voices are heard HE Mrs. Tarja Halonen, , and their actions recognized. began the discussion by underscoring the fact that the global issues humankind is currently facing The speakers of this working session aimed to call for the contribution of everyone, not simply raise the profile of gender issues within the man- half of the world’s population. She pointed out date of the Alliance of Civilizations. In addition, that “Women are not only the victims of the cur- they sought to identify cultural obstacles prevent- rent crisis the world is experiencing; but they are ing strategies for women’s empowerment and the possible solutions.” gender equality to be fully effective. Lastly, they elaborated approaches for working on women’s HE Mrs. Bibiana Aido Almagro, Spanish Min- ister for Equality reiterated that peace, develop-

72 ment, respect and mutual understanding cannot become an integral part of the Alliance of Civi- be achieved without women. Minister Aido lizations’ work. According to Professor Ertürk, Almagro also called for the development and “what is needed is the transformation of power implementation of equality policies at the national rather than the simple integration of women into and international levels. In a similar vein, Ms. existing structures of power.” Saniye Gülser Corat, Director of Division for Gender Policies at UNESCO, called for genuine The Alliance of Civilizations has a great opportu- and long-term commitment to the empowerment nity to pursue women’s multicultural leadership, of women in building a culture of peace. This according to Dr. Gillian Young, Senior Lecturer commitment includes building gender equality in the Department of Media and Communication into policy, securing genuine political will, and at the University of Leicester. The promotion and ensuring allocation of resources and mobilizing support of inclusive leadership that reflects gender, partnerships. religious, as well as cultural differences would greatly contribute to enhance recognition of the While agreeing with the need for long-term role of women in peace-building and would bring commitment of a vast array of partners, Profes- it into the public sphere for the benefit of society sor Yakin Ertürk, the United Nations Special as a whole. Rapporteur on violence against women, suggested that gender issues should be mainstreamed and

73 Working Session 7. Doing Business in a Multicultural Environment: Good Practices and Lessons Learned

Partner organization: UN Global Compact

Working Session 7 was moderated by Jean- The moderators opened the session by reminding Christophe Bas, Strategic Partnerships Manager of the audience of the historical role of commerce in the UN Alliance of Civilizations Secretariat, and fostering peace and dialogue among civilizations Melissa Powell, Head of Strategy and Partnerships and noted that there has been a growing demand at the UN Global Compact. The session was orga- for the proactive engagement of companies in nized in collaboration with the Global Compact in better managing cross-cultural challenges as they order to discuss the role of the private sector in pro- have become more global over the past few decades. moting intercultural understanding and dialogue. Participants in the discussion noted that as busi- ness has gone global, a strong business case has The session also provided a platform for the launch been made for developing effective mechanisms of Doing Business in a Multicultural World, a joint to address challenges arising from multicultural report of the UN Alliance of Civilizations and the environments. They also outlined the two major UN Global Compact Office. Showcasing innova- benefits of incorporating diversity and inclusion tive corporate actions to address the challenges into business strategies. First, multiculturalism is a arising from cross-cultural tensions, this report basic principle which ensures meritocracy within a was developed in response to the recommendations company and attracts best talents across the globe made by business leaders who attended the Alliance to maintain business competitiveness. Second, of Civilizations Madrid Forum.

74 culturally-sensitive business practices contribute importance of respecting different religious tradi- to enhancing customers’ loyalty and improving tions and values and asked the business community companies’ brand image. to pay more attention to these values in marketing and product development in order to strengthen Participants went on to provide observations on competitiveness. the ways business has overcome cross-cultural challenges in the workplace, market place and local While the efforts made by businesses in this area communities. Many global companies provide are notable, participants emphasized the need for cross-cultural training programs and develop strong support from other stakeholders including human resources policies in order to integrate business associations, civil society, and govern- diversity and inclusion in their business operations. ments. Highlighting the critical role of education, One participant noted that the long experience of it was suggested that governments and academia the private sector in leading cross-cultural training could support better educational programs for could make a useful contribution to the develop- cross-cultural learning as well as exchange pro- ment of cross-cultural education for young people. grams for young people. Participants indicated In the marketplace, companies have utilized their interest in collaborating with the UN Alliance their core competencies to promote diversity and of Civilizations and the UN Global Compact by inclusion. Companies have also contributed to establishing a network which will help facilitate the improving stakeholder relations through culturally sharing of lessons learned in this area. sensitive marketing practices and community dia- logues. A number of participants highlighted the

75 Working Session 8. Citizenship for the Information Society: Media Education and Civic Participation

Partner organizations: International Association for Media and Communication Research (IAMCR), UNESCO’s Information for All Program and the Asian Media Information and Communication Center (AMIC)

This session was an opportunity to highlight and Argentina’s model of media literacy education contextualize media literacy education programs was also presented and discussed during the implemented in the education systems of Turkey, working session. Through the program Escuela y Argentina and Finland. It was moderated by Medios (School & Media) Argentina’s Ministry of Vladimir Gai, from UNESCO’s Communication Education engages in a series of around the year Development Division. collaborations with the media industry and the private sector aiming at raising the awareness of The Alliance of Civilizations’ High-Level Group the impact that media has in society. The Escuela Report (November 2006) recognizes the impor- y Medios program includes initiatives such as the tance of including media literacy education in the production of public service announcements fo- schools. Since its publication, the UNAOC has cusing on how to critically watch television, films developed a number of initiatives and resources and surf the Internet; the in-school production aiming at the inclusion of media education in the of videos written and produced by students for National Plans of the countries of the Group of TV broadcast; and the celebration of World Press Friends. Freedom Day (May 3rd). During the session’s discussion the Escuela y Medios program was Examples of initiatives in Turkey, Argentina recognized as a particularly creative and all- and Finland were presented during the session. compassing model aiming at the development of a Turkey’s Ministry of Culture has provided profes- media literate citizen. sional development workshops in order to train social studies teachers so that they can meet the Finland’s contribution to the discussion started by challenges of delivering effective media literacy reminding the participants that “the future does education, and discussions were held on ways in not just happen – we help to create it though our which this valuable initiative could be further choices.” In some form or other, media education developed. It was suggested that a possible good has been part of Finland’s national educational source of educators for this course could be gradu- curriculum since the early 1970s. Currently the ates from the communication departments of country’s focus is in updating and developing journalism schools. teaching materials; providing teaching training to

76 educators; and the unfolding of Global Education, plethora of media sources, creating a cacophonic Finland’s newest media education program. The media landscape often difficult to navigate for program encourages media production in schools citizens lacking minimum media literacy skills. as well as a critical analysis approach where the Ismail Serageldin, reflecting on the role of media concepts and practice of world citizenship, social and media education in contemporary society, inclusion, ethical values, intercultural dialogue concluded the session by signaling the importance and media literacy education are all intertwined of distinguishing between knowledge and wisdom, within the Global Education curricula. The rich the latter understood as the necessary means for and progressive vision of Finland’s model was individual reflection and the development of further explored during the discussion. constructive civic participation.

Other presentations from the panel included com- ments on today’s fragmented and overwhelming

77 Working Session 9. Cities at the Heart of Cultural Diversity – How to Foster City Diplomacy?

Partner organization: United Cities and Local Governments

Increased migration and globalization have made national stability. In a mainly urban world, this cultural diversity one of the main features of situation is manifested to an even greater extent in modern cities. The majority of the world’s popula- cities. In Barcelona, as new citizens join the city, tion – 3.3 billion people – now lives in cities. This it is imperative to secure their access to the same number is projected to reach 4.9 billion in 2030. benefits and entitlements as everyone else. Failing Municipal and local governments, therefore, have to do so risks creating exclusionary societies where a critical role in promoting sustainable urban people of different backgrounds feel unwelcome. development based on cultural diversity, with the Mr. Hereu also felt that cities needed to act in a twofold aim of preventing conflicts and contribut- coordinated way to better marshal their financial ing to security and peace. resources toward meeting the cultural challenges they face. As an example, Barcelona has sought to Moderated by Pedro Castro, President of the build ties with Sarejevo, Jericho, , Gaza to Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinc- supplement the work being done at the state-level. es, Working Session 9 brought together mayors, representatives of local governments, and opinion Importantly, Mayor of Gaza, Mageed Abou leaders to discuss the role of city in peace building Ramadan, noted that cities deal with the everyday and conflict prevention. lives of people. He pointed to the case of Gaza to emphasize the need to understand ‘the other’ Mr. Castro opened the session by outlining the before common ties between people can be built, changes affecting the make-up of cities around and to challenge preconceived notions of other the world, underlining the need to create more cultures. Cities are much better placed to deal inclusive multicultural societies. In his opinion, with this task. public areas of cities present the possibility for interaction between different cultures and for peo- Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General ple to learn about each other. Schools are also an Iqbal Riza added that globalization is increasingly avenue for young people to do the same. The use seen as a threat to identity. When speaking about of technology in projects such as Dialogue Café multiculturalism in cities, it is clear that there offers myriad opportunities to connect individuals are often tensions between host and immigrant who otherwise would not get a chance to talk to populations. The Alliance of Civilizations has each other. focused on what can be done to address these tensions at the political level as well as from a Mayor of Barcelona, Jordi Hereu, added that in a perception point of view, while also recognizing complex globalizing world, polarized perceptions that, ultimately it comes down to the level of cities between different cultures can threaten inter- to present solutions.

78 Stefania Craxi, Secretary of State for Foreign mentioned the need for greater connectivity be- Affairs for Rome, added that city diplomacy is a tween the United Nations and local governments tremendous tool for creating sustainable peace and municipalities. She appreciated the role that within divided societies. She announced that the Alliance has played in this regard. Finally, she Reggio Calabria, an Italian city, will host the said that while national governments engage in first meeting of Mayors of Main Mediterranean peace-building at an international level, it is often Coastal Cities in the autumn, to be co-chaired by up to city authorities to translate their policies Reggio Calabria and Tunis. into action at the local level.

Closing the session, Elizabeth Gateau, Secretary- General of United Cities and Local Governments,

79 Working Session 10. Contributions of Entertainment Media to Cross-Cultural Understanding

Partner organization: Alliance of Civilizations Media Fund

Moderated by Jim Berk, CEO of Participant Me- mon stereotypes and exposes audiences to regions dia, Working Session 10 brought together academ- and cultures that are often negatively portrayed in ics, film makers, politicians and experts to present mass media. perspectives on the use of media as an instrument for cross-cultural dialogue and to put forward con- Ms. Fancy defined the strategies of AoCMF as crete strategies to enhance the role media can play follows: a) understanding the impact of media on in tackling prejudice and popular stereotypes. attitudes and behavior; b) raising awareness of the impact of media on perceptions; and c) produc- Mahnaz Fancy, Director of Development of the tion and distribution of media content. She gave Alliance of Civilizations Media Fund (AoCMF), examples of projects supported by the fund and presented the organization, a non-profit consor- described two of its projects: the Middle East tium of media industry leaders and philanthropists Region Short Film Competition and Muslims On working in partnership with the United Nations to TV (MOST). expand the production of commercial film, televi- sion and new media content that challenges com-

80 Mr. Berk highlighted some of the productions of ing real human stories can play a significant role in Participant Media, including Charlie Wilson’s War, overcoming prejudice and stereotypes. Storytelling The Visitor, Fast Food Nation, An Inconvenient transcends cultural boundaries and helps improve Truth, The Kite Runner, Good Night and Good our understanding of other people. Luck. He commented that films can work as mag- nets for people to get together and generate other These discussions led to the following conclu- activities such as training programs. sions: the AoCMF should aim to promote cultural diversity in the media and special programs should The Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism, HE be developed for communities and groups that are Ertuğrul Günay, underlined the growing influence often excluded from mainstream media. To achieve of media and the responsibilities of media profes- these goals, partnerships should be developed, par- sionals. Media has the capacity to create positive ticularly between commercial media and media fo- change in society, he explained, quoting Muslim cusing on social action. Finally, an advisory group thinker Muhammad Iqbal: “New worlds cannot be bringing together the TV, film industry, media and built with new stones but with new ideas.” youth sectors should be established.

For her part, Abigail Disney, Founder and Presi- dent of the Daphne Foundation, stressed that tell-

81 Working Session 11. The Cost of Conflict in the Middle East

Partner organization: Strategic Foresight Group The starting point for this session’s discussion was tional Centre for Peace (who, at the last minute, a study on the cost of conflict in the Middle East was unable to attend), an Israeli diplomat stressed undertaken by the India-based Strategic Foresight that the main obstacle to a solution was not the Group (SFG), with the support of governments settlements but the non acceptance of Israel’s right and institutions from Turkey, Switzerland, to exist. Jean-Daniel Ruch, Special Envoy to the and Qatar. The study was the first-ever effort in 60 Middle East for Switzerland, agreed that Israel years to measure all kinds of costs of conflicts in should be recognized by all. Introducing himself the region, using 97 parameters. The session was as a representative of a rare country that did not moderated by Sundeep Waslekar, president of SFG. boycott the results of the Palestinian elections, he further understood the fear provoked by Hamas’ By pointing to the scale of the costs, includ- stance. This did not however take away Israel’s ing huge losses of opportunities and negative duty to engage in the peace process. The country consequences for the whole world, the report was was also expected to fully cooperate with the widely recognized as making a compelling case Goldstone Commission. for greater political engagement and sustained efforts to resolve the conflicts by all concerned. The discussion focused on measures that should be The human cost was the most significant and in- considered if the settlements do not stop and no cluded the loss of dignity imposed on 1.4 million real engagement on a 2-state solution takes place. people locked in Gaza. No peace process could The international community would have to send be successful if the situation of the victims is not a strong and well coordinated message, insisted addressed in an equitable way. Miguel Angel Moratinos, Spanish Foreign Minister and Jean Asselborn, Deputy Prime Minister of Speakers felt that the only option was a two-state Luxembourg. Some international assistance may be solution, combined with an effective freeze on withdrawn. There was little support for a boycott, settlements. Amre Moussa, Secretary-General considered generally ineffective. There was a need of the League of Arab States, felt that pending a to find new innovative diplomatic incentives. freeze on settlement building by Israel and a noti- fication to this effect to the UN Security Council, President Obama had raised high expectations, Arab countries would respond and a new dynamic which should be followed up by persistent and would unfold. constructive involvement in the region. It was hoped that the international community would However, speaking in the absence of Shlomo now more consistently move together in the same Ben-Ami, Vice-President of the Toledo Interna- direction. Turkish Minister of State Egmen Bağiş

82 said that his country was implementing a policy The Alliance of Civilizations, it was found, offered of zero conflict with neighbors and promoting it a welcome platform for people to speak and discuss throughout the Middle East. It was engaged in the issue. At the same time, as Jorge Sampaio, High the Syrian-Israeli Peace Process, now damaged by Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations the Gaza crisis. Turkey remained committed to clearly emphasized, it was not for the Alliance to new efforts and wanted to be part of the solution, find political solutions for conflicts. Its mandate is as a country with credibility in both the West either to act at the preventive level – to help defuse and Islamic countries. Jean Asselborn emphasized tensions and prevent them escalating into conflicts that other countries were expected to help – in – or to act for peace building consolidation in post- particular Jordan and Egypt – when it comes to conflict situations. bringing about a transition Palestinian govern- ment. Syria had to be part of a solution.

83 Working Session 12. Islamic and Muslim Contributions to European Culture, Societies and Identities

Partner organization: the British Council, the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) and the Anna Lindh Euro-Mediterranean Foundation for the Dialogue between Cultures

For over 1,300 years Europe has been home to continue now with Iranian films and the personal peoples with direct or indirect connections to experiences of those who were initially immi- Islam. They have been traders and teachers, con- grants and their families who are now European. verts and conquerors, astronomers and astrolo- gers, architects and builders. But in spite of these This point was picked up by Dr. Anas Al-Shaikh exchanges and cross-fertilization, findings of polls Ali of the Association of Muslim Social Scientists tracking public perceptions show that relations (UK) who focused on the importance of educa- between Europeans who are Muslims and those of tion in schools and universities of all Europeans other belief systems are generally weak. The Brit- so that a better understanding can develop in the ish Council is developing an ambitious program mainstream of European societies. He referred to to address this issue in the context of Europe. the partnership he had developed with the British The Council organized this working session in Council which led to the publication of “British partnership with the Organization of the Islamic Muslims: A Media Guide” in 2006. Conference and the Anna Lindh Foundation, to Dr. Gemma Martin Munoz of Casa Arabe, introduce and debate the program under the title Madrid, continued with this theme and referred of “Our Shared Europe”. to the publication of the Spanish version of the Professor Richard Bulliet of Columbia University, guide, supported by the Organization of Security USA, gave a historical perspective. He reminded and Cooperation in Europe. the audience of how the political and historical HE Professor Ekmeleddin Ïhsanoğlu, Secretary- interactions of Muslims and the “West” have been General of the Organization of the Islamic Confer- distorted and oversimplified. Muslims who fought ence, stressed that Islam was a component of Euro- on behalf of Western political interests have been pean culture and identity and welcomed the British forgotten; only those who confronted the West Council’s program. He referred to Prof. Bulliet’s are remembered. The diverse and long stand- concept of an ‘Islamo-Christian’ European civiliza- ing peaceful side of European-Muslim relations tion to reiterate his proposed historic reconciliation remains in the shadows. Daily life is infused with between these two Abrahamic religions. products from the Muslim world, from oranges, to chess, sugar and pasta. Beyond daily life, there A lively debate followed with contributions from are myriad other borrowings, especially in the participants drawing on their experiences in Ban- areas of science and philosophy. Such enrichments gladesh, USA, Morocco and the other Maghreb

84 countries, the UK and the former Yugoslavia and He ended with a relevant quote from President today’s . Obama: “Our patchwork heritage is a strength not a weakness: we are a nation of Christians, Professor Mike Hardy, the leader of the British Muslims, Jews, Hindus and non-believers”. “Our Council’s inter-cultural dialogue programs drew program”, Mr Hardy continued, “sets out to dem- the session to a close. “Our Shared Europe” is, onstrate that Muslims are part of Europe’s past, from his perspective, a cultural project to tackle present, and more importantly, its future.” the roots of alienation and intolerance. The pro- gram does not set out to re-write history; rather, it aims to change how Europeans think about each other in the current day reality of the continent.

85 Working Breakfasts

Working Breakfast 1. From Competing Narratives to Cooperative Actions

Moderator: President Jorge Sampaio

The High Level Group (HLG) Report presented fundamental and unprecedented merit of bringing in November 2006 identifies the Israel-Palestine the international community to treat both sides as conflict as one of the main causes of the widening equals in their aspirations and rights. rift between Muslim and Western societies. This emphasis is not meant to imply that it is the overt In order to implement this mandate, the High cause of all tensions between Muslim and Western Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations societies, but suggests that the Isareli-Palestinian held a brainstorming meeting in Lisbon, in Febru- issue has taken on a symbolic value that colors ary with two main objectives: firstly to take stock cross-cultural and political relations among adher- of past or on-going works and experiences in the ents of all three major monotheistic faiths well field of competing narratives, compare outcomes beyond its limited geographic scope. and build on lessons learned. The outcome of that meeting was twofold: a “white paper” may Specifically, the HLG report urges that the Al- be necessary but insufficient unless it is accom- liance address the central Israel-Palestine issue, panied by a “white process” because narratives which has fomented mutually hostile perspectives, which develop during intractable conflicts have a and prolonged violence, both in the form of wars severe impact on people’s life, not only at mental and of violence against non-combatants and civil- level, but also on social interactions, attitudes and ians. Furthermore, the HLG Report recommends behaviors. the development of a “white paper” analyzing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict dispassionately and The session was intended to collect additional objectively, giving voice to the competing nar- inputs particularly from civil society organizations. ratives on both sides, reviewing and diagnosing Participants were invited to share their vision on the successes and failures of past peace initiatives, the role of a white paper and a white process, as de- and establishing clearly the conditions that must scribed above, and to put forward innovative ideas be met to find a way out of the crisis. The “white about their content and possible implementation. paper”, by recounting historical truths, would The idea of a white process generated great curiosity hope to redress the reluctance of the community and some participants such as Just Vision and One of nations to confront the realities underlying this Voice expressed interest in a future collaboration. threat to world stability. It could help political decision-makers to resolve the issue by bringing Palestinians and Israelis to acknowledge a history – their own history – and which would have the

86 87 Working Breakfast 2. UNESCO UNITWIN AoC Chair on Media Literacy and Intercultural Dialogue

Partner organizations: UNESCO and NORDICOM (Nordic Information Center for Media and Communication Research)

This breakfast, co-organized with UNESCO and and media literacy practices that can contribute NORDICOM (Nordic Information Center for to dissolve prejudices, cultural stereotypes, and Media and Communication Research), was an intercultural barriers in favor of global dialogue opportunity to publicly present and discuss the and cooperation among citizens and institutions creation of the UNESCO UNITWIN Alliance of of different cultural or religious backgrounds. Civilizations Chair on Media Literacy and Inter- cultural Dialogue. At its initial phase this UNIT- The Chair will develop and organize, in coordina- WIN (UNESCO’s Chair program for universities tion with the AoC, a series of research initiatives, linked in network) will include six universities: conferences, teacher training workshops, and Sao Paulo University (Brazil), Tsinghua University exchange programs (for faculty and graduate (China), Cairo University (Egypt), University of students) involving the active universities of West Indies (), Autonomous University of the network. Additional outcomes will include Barcelona (Spain), and Temple University (USA). publications (in partnership with NORDICOM) Representatives of the universities attended the and the ongoing development (by adding new session and explained to the participants the main content, supplementary information, resources, objectives and planned outcomes of the Chair. and articles) of the AoC Media Literacy Educa- tion clearinghouse (aocmedialiteracy.org). By coordinating the creation of this Chair, the AoC continues to support the development of me- Additionally, the breakfast session was also an dia literacy education worldwide. The increasing occasion to present the new research publication global awareness about the importance of media “Mapping Media Education Policies in the World: literacy within the intercultural dialogue frame- Visions, Programs and Challenges” recently pub- work was underlined by the amount of interested lished by the AoC in collaboration with UNES- participants that attended the session. During CO and the support of Grupo Comunicar and the the session it was explained that the main focus Media Program of the European Union. of this Chair is the development of educational

Working Breakfast 3. Launch of the UN AoC Research Network

Organized by the Alliance of Civilizations Research Network

The Alliance Research Network is intended as a administrative, faculty, and students from higher diverse collection of research centers and universi- education institutions; intergovernmental organiza- ties to serve as a collective thinktank for the Alli- tion representatives, and government officials from ance, and be leaders of a movement to encourage around the world. The purpose of the meeting was cross-cultural educational exchange and research. to prepare a plan of action for the following year.

Consequently, the Network consists of institu- As a first step, the Network will explore common tions from around the world who have interests areas of research and exchange. Second, the need in the areas of focus for the Alliance – education, to explore opportunities for partners to meet to media, migration, and youth plus other topics discuss next steps in collaboration was raised. with special reference to cross-cultural under- Explorations are currently underway to identify standing such as good governance of cultural potential hosts, resources, and concrete agendas diversity, conflict resolution, women and peace- for such meetings. Third, participants discussed making, and city diplomacy. The Network was the need for an online platform to disseminate formally launched at a working breakfast at the research and to interact with one another. The Istanbul Forum, April 6, 2009. Alliance of Civilizations has developed a web page dedicated to the members of the Research Net- The meeting was chaired by Koç University focal work which features news about, and of interest point, Dean Baris Tan. Participants included to, academic network members.

88 Working Breakfast 4. Partnerships across the Mediterranean; Launch of the Mediterranean Journalist Award 2009 and the Rapid Response Media Mechanism for the Mediterranean region

Partner organizations: the Anna Lindh Euro-Mediterranean Foundation for Dialogue Between Cultures and the European Commission

A joint breakfast briefing session by the European following a series of discussions with media and Commission, the Anna Lindh Foundation and the civil society representatives. The Alliance of Alliance outlined cooperation between the three Civilizations Global Expert Finder, the European institutions on a range of media issues. European Commission sponsored European Neighbour- Commissioner for education, training, culture and hood Journalism Network and the Anna Lindh youth, Ján Figel, Andreu Claret, Executive Director Foundation network of civil society interests are of the Anna Lindh Foundation and Alliance of already in place as a framework within which the Civilizations Director Marc Scheuer spoke in turn initiative can operate. Mechanisms to link them about their respective institutions’ work with the more firmly, with a common portal as central media and about their belief in the constructive resource and a means of mobilization of opinion role journalists can play to promote understanding when a crisis occurs, are in development. between different nations and cultures. During the meeting, the 2009 edition of the A key item in the presentation was the Rapid Anna Lindh Foundation’s Mediterranean Journal- Response Media Mechanism for times of cultural ist Award for 2009 was launched, the regional crises in the Euro-Mediterranean region, which is organization’s award in recognition of journalists being developed as a joint initiative by the three reporting across cultures and on issues of cultural bodies. The initiative aims to assist journalists diversity. The Award, which runs across the 43 and others involved in any public debate that risks countries of the Union for the Mediterranean, has being highly polarised and divisive. It will use been expanded in 2009 to the audio-visual sector, shared resources – including expertise on issues as well as including a special award for reporting related to intercultural tensions and joint com- efforts during the recent Gaza crisis and a new munications to the media and networks of civil award for bloggers. The rapidly growing influence society organizations – to encourage and support of new media presents great potential to create those wanting to develop more balanced dialogue dialogue communities and responsible blogging about intercultural issues. is seen by the Foundation as a way of promoting a shared space for dialogue and opinion. While there is still work to do to bring the project to fruition, several aspects are already in place

89 Working Breakfast 5. Contemporary Society and Religion

Partner organization: Network of European Foundations

This breakfast session introduced the work devel- were also presented, including recommendation to oped under the Network of European Foundations make non-confessional teaching more effective, a (NEF) Initiative on ‘Religion and Democracy in clear status in the curriculum, and solid training of Europe’ which focuses on the relationship between teachers and teacher trainers. religion and democracy in European societies. NEF presented its findings in the specific fields of health Subsequently, the NEF findings on ‘Religion and and school systems in Europe and representatives Healthcare in the European Union’ were presented. of other regions contributed as discussants. The The influence of religion on national healthcare session brought together political representatives, policy, and in particular the issue of belief-based religious leaders, international organizations, exemption for health care providers from per- foundations and NGOs representatives, and was forming certain duties, the issues of euthanasia, moderated by Rien Van Gendt, chairman of the organ donation and transplant, blood transfusion, NEF initiative on Religion and Democracy and religious assistance to hospital patients, faith space former Executive Director of the Van Leer Group in hospitals, medication and dietary needs, hospital Foundation. Speakers included Luce Pépin, former clothing, requests to be served by a doctor or nurse Director of the Eurydice Network European Unit of the same sex, and issues related to death, sexual and author of the ‘History of European Coop- and reproductive health, and mental health were all eration in the fields of education and training’, briefly addressed as well. Dimitrina Petrova, Executive Director, The Equal This moved the conversation in the direction of the Rights Trust, and Joyce Dubensky, Executive Vice intersections between religion and health care and President of the Tanenbaum Center for Interreli- how religion influences patients’ and practitioners’ gious Understanding in New York. decisions, and the need for training a community The discussion began with a presentation on of health care providers who are prepared to com- the findings of the NEF thematic dossier on the municate with their patients about religion. ‘Teaching about religions in European school sys- In the discussion that followed, participants raised tems’. This initial overview touched upon the dif- several interesting questions including whether reli- ferent approaches characterizing the teaching about gion should be regarded as a liability or as a positive religions in the European Union: confessional force in health policy; whether certain policy issues religious education (optional or non compulsory); are affected by religion as such or rather by culture confessional religious education (compulsory with and traditional cultural practices, and whether the exemption possibility); non confessional education state should provide exemptions to doctors and and education about the ‘religious fact’, integrated nurses and within what limits. in other subjects of teaching. Ongoing major chal- lenges for EU public school systems in this area

Working Breakfast 6. Diversity and Development: Leadership Challenges for Managing Diversity and Promoting Politics and Policy to Build Shared Societies Partner organization: Club of Madrid

The breakfast session on Challenges for Leadership heart of the relationship between leadership and to Manage Diversity and Build Shared Societies development. organized by the Club de Madrid – an organiza- tion of 71 democratic former heads of state and During the session, the Club de Madrid presented government from around the globe that works to its Shared Societies project, a global initiative promote democratic responses to global chal- aimed to encourage leaders to understand the lenges – examined the conundrums that lie at the benefits of social cohesion and the incentives and means to act to advance it.

90 Leaders and communities often resist co-operation and now that we are out of office we wish to offer and collaboration preferring to protect their own our good offices to stimulate that discussion and immediate interests and deny the interests of “the to help to overcome tensions where they occur.” other” – and the mutual interests they share – to He also said: “shared societies make good sense the detriment of all. The Shared Societies Project in cultural terms, human terms, in ethical terms, works on leadership to this tendency. in security terms, and, in the present economic climate they make economic sense.” Over 50 people participated in the session that featured , former Prime Ebrahim Rasool, spoke very practically of the Minister of Norway; Ebrahim Rasool, former challenges and some easy tools for leaders to Premier of the Western Cape Province and cur- use to promote shared societies. He spoke of the rent advisor to South African President Mont- need for societies and political leaders to “ascend lanthe; and Fernando Perpiñá-Robert, Secretary the steep path” (“aqaba”), “avoid the extremes” General of the Club de Madrid. Sean C. Carroll, (“wasatiyah”), and to make “coexistence and Director of Programs of the Club de Madrid interdependence” (“ubuntu”) and “empathy and moderated the session. compassion” (“rahma”) central to leadership. He said, “in the effort to construct a shared society, Former Prime Minister Bondevik spoke of his some say we need unity; others say we need diver- time in office and of his role as a Lutheran pastor, sity. Well, we need enough unity to avoid having and, speaking of his other Club of Madrid mem- atomized societies. And, we need diversity, but bers, said that “we know from experience that not so much that, again, we end up with atomized leaders bear a major responsibility for promoting societies. We need to find the balance.” good community relations and shared societies. We believe that one of the most important conver- A lively debate and exchange of ideas on the role of sations of our time is the issue of how to promote leadership in promoting social cohesion followed. and encourage positive relations between cultures

91 Working Breakfast 7. Jobs in Period of Recession: A Global Challenge for Youth Partner organizations: Education for Employment Foundation and Silatech Moderated by Salvatore Nigro, CEO Europe, defuse societal tensions, which left unchecked can Education for Employment Foundation, and be directed towards other communities which featuring Michael Hager, President, Education are perceived to have been more successful or to for Employment Foundation and Ahmed Younis, blame during difficult economic conditions. Director for Resource Development, Silatech, this breakfast session explored the links between Consequently, investing in first-time job seekers employment and the development of societies. is a win-win situation both for governments and civil society organizations and the private sector. Employment offers a chance to confer on people Participants noted the need for international an identity, self-respect, economic security, and a organizations to pay greater attention towards stake in the future – all important cornerstones for supporting the development of youth employment citizens of a peaceful and prosperous society. Con- programs, but also affirmed the need to examine versely, unemployment devastates the social and the needs of the private sector itself before under- economic fabric of society, cheating countries of taking any employment training program. At the their greatest potential. It can cause many people, same time, there is a need for coordination among particularly youth, to feel marginalized, frustrated, the various entities that are working on education and angry at a society that has failed them – and and employment programs. can thus lead to destructive behavior. Consequent- ly, economic and social inclusion of young people is The varying approaches of Silatech and the Edu- vital for peace and stability worldwide. cation for Employment Foundation were deemed worthy of consideration by breakfast participants, Participants agreed that employment opportuni- and showed tremendous potential to be repli- ties can have an enormously positive impact on cated in other parts of the world. Participants societies and relations between them. Keeping the also stressed the need to devote attention and bulk of a population in work is essential towards resources towards promoting entrepreneurship as sustaining the economy of a society, and achiev- well as employment, and hailed the fact that both ing a robust economic situation is a powerful projects sought to do just that. driver for social change. At the same time, ensur- ing adequate opportunities for youth can help

92 Working Breakfast 8. Engaging Non-State Actors in Resolving Conflicts and Promoting Peace and Development Partner organizations: Religions for Peace and UNFPA This session occasioned the opportunity to make Africa (Religions for Peace MENA). In a press concrete recommendations to the Alliance on conference the previous day, a bold appeal to Al- ways to advance partnerships among religious liance of Civilizations about the situation in Israel leaders and groups and United Nations, gov- and Palestine issued by the Religions for Peace ernments, and other actors. Approximately 30 MENA was presented. This was seen by the par- participants, representing governments, UN agen- ticipants as an example of constructive and timely cies, media, NGOs and religious communities multi-religious advocacy. contributed to the discussion. The idea of a “UN Decade for Interreligious Religions for Peace introduced its model, high- and Intercultural Dialogue, Understanding and lighting three core approaches: 1)multi-religious Cooperation for Peace” (Ref. General Assembly efforts can be more powerful symbolically and resolution A/RES/63/22) was mentioned as a substantively than the efforts of individual good way of promoting major UN agendas with religious groups acting alone; 2)“representative” participation of religious communities and inter- multi-religious structures through their leaders, faith organizations. outstanding persons, grassroots congregations and other organizational manifestations serve as The inclusion of “interreligious dialogue and the main agents of multi-religious cooperation; 3) cooperation” in the programs and meetings of the cooperation on multiple levels, including global, Alliance of Civilizations was seen as important to regional, national and local levels. explore. A number of specific recommendations were offered to the Alliance of Civilizations by the These approaches allow religions to engage with religious leaders present such as: other stakeholders in the public sphere in a prin- cipled manner. Religions have impressive poten- • Themes and concerns related to the role of tials/assets that may be mobilized for the common religions and inter-religious dialogue and coop- good in a multi-faceted process in which division eration in policy and politically related issues of labor can be negotiated. Although some skepti- should be given prominence in future annual cism about involving religion too closely in issues meetings of the Alliance of Civilizations. of political nature was expressed, the major thrust • Considerations should be made to establish of contributions called for principled engage- projects specifically focusing on inter-religious ment of religious actors in the public debate. The cooperation within the framework of Alliance described model for engagement was supported as of Civilizations. Projects oriented towards viable and with great potential. youth were seen as particularly interesting.

Government representatives expressed apprecia- • With reference to the recommendation from tion of the multi-religious approach, which offered the religious leaders in the 2008 Madrid meet- governments a “politically neutral” partner to ing: "Engaging the media to help communicate reach religious communities for dialogue and co- the positive role of multi-religious dialogue and operation. Concern was raised that multi-religious cooperation in building peace and promoting cooperation needs to reach into those segments of the common good", Religions for Peace and religious communities that are normally reluctant other organizations engaged in multi-religious to open up to dialogue. Efforts to reach out to the cooperation should partner with Alliance of more extreme segments and gradually build trust Civilizations in utilizing their media mecha- across divides are needed. nisms to further this recommendation. • Religions for Peace was encouraged to take Examples of multi-religious engagement in peace leadership in communicating with the Alliance processes were shared, including conflicts in of Civilizations for planning of the next annual Africa, and the Middle East. Specific meeting in Brazil. reference was made to the newly established interreligious council for Middle East and North

93 Working Breakfast 9. Culture and Development Partner organization: French Development Agency

The breakfast session, organized by the French It is also possible, as shown by the work done by Development Agency (ADF), explored the strong UNESCO, to integrate dialogue and exchange links that exist between culture and development. into concrete development programs. Cultural Participants agreed that there could be no success- dialogue can be translated into tangible actions. ful development project without a human and cul- Development actors must show that culture can be tural dimension. Although all development projects a resource for our future. are, to a large extent, political projects, they must always be nourished by cultural references. Thus the dialogue between development and cultural actors and networks must be encouraged. Taking account of the economic and develop- Such exchanges already took place through the ment value of cultural goods was also seen as series of Mediterranean Cultural Workshops initi- vital. Indeed it is possible to invest in culture as ated in 2005. One way to institutionalize this work an economic tool for development. Development could lie in the creation of a ‘cultures and develop- agents must work to promote the domains and lo- ment institute’, which participants expressed strong cations where development and culture are closely interest in. Through the ten Mediterranean cultural articulated. For instance, microloans directed at the projects approved by the Mediterranean Forum on owners of cultural goods can prove to have both an Culture, this network would promote both reflec- economic and a cultural heritage value. Moreover, tion and production regarding specific projects, in old city quarters, urban planning must go hand- such as a Mediterranean translation centre, or the in-hand with cultural heritage preservation. sharing of scholarship and discussion on the evolu- tions of religious practices, and on the dialogue across the legal systems of different cultures.

Working Breakfast 10. Can New Media Help Bridge Cultural Divides? Partner organizations: UNESCO and Global Voices Online

The new media breakfast session at the Alliance In this context, it was announced that the Alliance Forum in Istanbul Forum served as an opportu- is interested in creating an online forum that facili- nity to showcase the different and innovative ap- tates direct exchanges between citizen journalists of plications of new media that various organizations adjacent regions or neighboring countries that have are using to promote intercultural dialogue. The few opportunities for direct interaction with each session was moderated by Susan Moeller, director other. In such cases, information is often relayed of the International Center for Media and the through Western sources having undergone a num- Public Agenda at the University of Maryland. ber of cultural and values filters. The Alliance seeks to circumvent these barriers to direct interaction Participants observed that the growth of the inter- and understanding, and further details about the net and the burgeoning of social networking web- proposed forum will be released shortly. sites have revolutionized the way people engage with the world. By providing creative opportuni- Participants also discussed the rapidly evolving ties to share information and opinions with online nature of new media. Increasingly, resources are networks and virtual communities, new media is being directed towards increasing the capacity of serving to enrich public debates, open a broader new media to serve as a rival to mainstream news spectrum of ideas and opinions, and contribute organizations, or to vigorously promote develop- to a global shift away from mainstream news ment campaigns. Technological innovations are organizations as a primary source of information. also leading to greater diversity and choice in the More than this, it is having a mobilizing effect on new media environment. Blog aggregators, public societies, and it was noted that in societies with forums, and blogs that explicitly target audiences weak rule of law, new media is often ascendant as consumers are gaining in popularity. As the precisely because of its utility and versatility as an power and reach of new media expands further, organizing tool. its already profound effects on societies around the world will continue to grow.

94 95 Working Breakfast 11: Intercultural Dialogue and History in the Context of Globalisation: Towards a Worldwide Network of Historians and History Teachers Partner organizations: Council of Europe, North-South Center, and the Research Center for Islamic History, Art and Culture (IRCICA)

This breakfast session focused on the value of include written and audio-visual supports for creating a network of historians and educators, learners, as well as handbooks for teachers and the necessity of bringing academic history to the trainers. Drawing on existing networks and con- public, the utilization of resources such as UNES- sortia of specialists, a small task force will be set CO’s History of Humanity Series, incorporating up to pursue the project’s objectives, which will be a gender perspective into history, and discussions reflected in its composition. on involving regions and historians from around the world. Benefiting from relevant accomplishments of IRCICA, the Council of Europe, the Union for the The breakfast was organized in collaboration with Mediterranean, as well as from UNESCO’s “His- the Council of Europe, the North-South Center tory of Humanity”, and others, the new projects and the Research Center for Islamic History, Art will adopt an area and issue-centered approach, and and Culture (Organization of the Islamic Confer- include the identification of conditions enabling ence), and was preceded by a pre-Forum event on positive interactions. IRCICA and the Council of 5 April 2009 which was devoted towards the same Europe will be the leading agencies of the project, range of subjects. which will draw on the collaboration with UNES- CO, ALECSO and other interested parties. The The main focus of the breakfast was the announce- European Wergeland Centre will also be involved ment of the launch of a pilot project on “A History in the implementation of this project, as well as the of Interactions within the Mediterranean, and North-South Centre of the Council of Europe. between the Mediterranean and Other Cultures and Regions of the World.” This three-year project The operational phase of the project will be will aim to produce didactic material for formal preceded by a review of, and further consultations and non-formal education to highlight positive with, networks, associations, etc. of historians and interactions over the centuries among the people of of specialists in the didactics of history. This review the Mediterranean Basin as well as between them will be not only instrumental towards the setting and other cultures and regions of the world. up of the project’s task force, but will also form the basis for the possible creation of a fully-fledged These materials, with an emphasis on social and worldwide network of historians and history teach- cultural history, will be produced through the ers, willing to pursue further initiatives based on collaboration of historians and educationists the experience of the pilot project in question. conversant with history teaching. Products will

Working Breakfast 12. Expanding International Student Exchange Scholarship Programs: Challenges and Opportunities

Partner Organizations: International Institute of Education, League of Arab States, AFS, ISESCO, ALECSO

This working breakfast was a first step towards Dr. Ould Bah opened the session by emphasizing creating a network to enhance student exchanges the need to expand exchange programs between between the Muslim world and the West. The the Muslim world and the West as a key element session was chaired by Dr. Ahmed Said Ould of enhancing intercultural relations. After intro- Bah, Chef De Cabinet for the Director General ductions of the participants, UNESCO Repre- of ISESCO. Over twenty participants from sentative Ms. Ann-Belinda Preis gave an overview various sectors including intergovernmental of the Mondialogo program, jointly launched by organizations, governments, NGOs, educational UNESCO and Daimler in 2003. This program institutions and youth participants in exchange consists of a school contest (which has brought to- programs attended this session.

96 gether over 100,000 students from 144 countries), EC Representative Mr. Vito Borrelli detailed the an Engineering Award, and an Internet portal. various programs offered to encourage mobil- ity of students in the European Commission’s AFS CEO Mr. Tachi Cazal spoke of the impor- Erasmus Mundus program. Ms. Fatma Akgun, tance of addressing issues in enhancing exchange AFS Turkey’s Executive Director, spoke of the programs such as information, accreditation great demand in Turkey for study-abroad posi- regulations, and funding. International Institute tions and encouraged governments to liberalize of Education’s Director of Research, Dr. Rajika visa requirements for foreign students. A number Bhandari, spoke of the IIE’s efforts to enhance ex- of youth participants in study-abroad programs changes between the Middle East and the United spoke about their experiences and lessons from States, including free membership to institutions their experiences. in the IIE Network. Dr. Driss Ouaicha, President of Al Akhwayn University in Ifrane, Morocco, The meeting urged actors in this area to enhance described his institution’s programs that provided study-abroad experiences by sharing information, placements to 130-140 students from the US, liberalizing regulations in both the educational Europe and Asia and sent about 100 Moroccan area and visa requirements, and promoting the students abroad and participated in the AMID- benefits of studying abroad in various constituen- EAST program. cies. The Alliance was requested to: a) distribute a list of participants at this session to create a Josh Weiss from the Abraham Path Initia- network of interested organizations and indi- tive spoke of the non-formal ways in which viduals and b) organize a working session at the his organization seeks to bring together young next Forum to examine concrete ways in which people from various countries by retracing the exchanges could be enhanced. steps of Abraham/Ibrahim in the Middle East.

97 Working Breakfast 13. Bridging Divides in the Field of Humanitarianism and Development Partner Organization: Humanitarian Forum

This breakfast session explored ways in which among western and Muslim organizations, and the international community can pool together to improve their work. The Humanitarian Forum the knowledge and resources of NGOs from began its work with a needs assessment exercise, different cultural backgrounds and value systems holding workshops in 13 countries in 2005-6, to bring humanitarian and development aid to involving 1,100 local NGOs. people in need. The Humanitarian Forum builds bonds between In many crisis contexts, there is often a lack of communities, based on equality, understanding interaction between “Western” and “Muslim” and trust. It uses the large area of common ground humanitarian NGOs, even though both “sides” between religions and cultures – the strong heritage have great impact. This international picture is of charitable and humanitarian work – as a non- mirrored on the ground, where local NGOs tend political environment on which to build bridges. to work in isolation from each other and interna- Internationally, its Steering Committee includes tional organizations. This amounts to a divide in key Sunni, Shi’a and Western organizations from the field of humanitarianism and development. 13 countries in four continents.

Both at a national and international level, gaps The Humanitarian Forum also aims to build between communities and differences in capacity bridges between local communities in a number (or willingness to recognise a different form of of pilot countries (currently , , Ye- capacity) are exacerbating divides. As a result, the men and, as an example of a donor country, Ku- global response to humanitarian and development wait). For instance, the local forum in Indonesia needs is impaired, since it accepts inefficiencies includes Muslim, Christian, secular and interna- (e.g. in use of funds and coverage of programs) tional NGOs. This creates familiarity and trust and fails to take advantage of opportunities (e.g. between disparate groups through membership, new funding sources, comparative skills and in the governing and training workshops. building stable communities). In the course of this wide-ranging discussion, oth- The breakfast session highlighted the Humanitar- er issues were raised, including: building bridges ian Forum as a case study in multilateral coopera- between Muslim and secular organizations within tion. The Humanitarian Forum is a network of Arab countries; educating donors about the key humanitarian and charitable organizations breadth of Muslim charities’ humanitarian and from Muslim donor and recipient countries, the development work; and exploring the relationship West and the multilateral system. The goals of the between humanitarian actors and the military. Humanitarian Forum are to foster partnerships

Working Breakfast 14. The Youth Solidarity Fund: Celebrating Young Bridge- Builders

Launched at the Madrid Forum in 2008, the The winning projects were implemented from Youth Solidarity Fund (YSF) provides seed August 2008 to April 2009. Project leaders from funding to outstanding youth-led projects that these 6 youth organizations came to the Istanbul promote long-term constructive relationships Forum to share the results and learnings of their between young people from diverse cultural and projects. Each YSF project was given an opportu- religious backgrounds. For the pilot phase of the nity to showcase its work and results. Youth Solidarity Fund, a committee of 7 youth representatives, nominated by regional youth Issah Ali of the Federation of Youth Clubs of Gha- platforms, was charged with selecting 6 projects na presented a project that convened leaders from for funding from over 110 submissions from 55 youth organizations in Christian, Muslim and Tra- countries. ditional religious areas of to participate in workshops on diversity, conflict prevention, human

98 99 rights and tolerance. The project helped strengthen dress local community issues of relevance to them. relationships and build partnerships between youth The learning outcomes of this project included the from regions prone to violence. The project also utility of focusing socially isolated individuals on raised awareness about the contribution of youth common issues as a strategy for effective dialogue. to peace-building among Ghanaian policy-makers, Each individual has unique experiences, and has and encouraged them to integrate young people much to gain from exposure to the experiences of into peacemaking efforts at the national level. others affected by conflict and tensions. Partici- pants emphasized that the results of the dialogue Christopher Malano of the International Move- should be shared with decision-makers to make ment of Catholic Students and Pax Romana pre- them aware of the potential of citizens in address- sented a project that brought together Muslim and ing cultural and religious tensions. Catholic university students to learn more about each others’ faith experiences and promote mutual Rejane Ereau of Respect Magazine presented the respect and understanding. Those involved in the “God and Me” project, which collected, compared project learned that dialogue belongs to everyone, and published testimonies about religion, spiritu- not only to religious leaders. Another key conclu- ality, dogmas and traditions from French youth sion was the need to acknowledge one’s limitations of diverse backgrounds. The project focused on when engaging in dialogue while leveraging one’s youth from disadvantaged areas and communities strengths for the benefit of all. This project also so- that suffer from misrepresentation and discrimi- lidified Pax Romana/IMCS’s conviction that youth nation. This grassroots media project published from all religions have an instantaneous sense of messages from youth on their expectations of reli- solidarity when it comes to dialogue, regardless of gious leaders around creating societies with shared their religious and cultural backgrounds. national identities and better education about diverse religions and beliefs. Lessons learned Nikki Delfin presented GenPeace, which is a included the need to ensure that media is not just network of Pilipino organizations and individuals about youth, but also inclusive of other citizens, as committed to youth-led advocacy for a just and such an approach contributes to raising awareness sustainable peace in the . This project and unpacking taboos and stereotypes. organized a series of youth leadership train- ing workshops on peace and human rights in Juan Martin Camusso presented the Argentinean Mindanao, in the Southern region of the Philip- Youth Organization for the United Nations, which pines. The project increased the capacity of youth is a pluralist NGO created and directed by young leaders to mobilize and connect different Muslim, people committed to human development. This Christian and indigenous youth organizations for organization’s project established and strengthened a more consolidated youth peace advocacy in the relationships between young people from Latin Philippines. While many intense debates among America and Africa, two regions not often con- opposing groups preceded the training workshops, nected. The project promoted networking, offered youth participants discovered that open dialogue a 7-day training seminar partnership building, and guided by new skills and clear common objectives strengthened dialogue skills on intercultural issues. creates a sense of connection that allows for prog- It also brought to light the need to ensure that new ress to be made in efforts to address long-standing skills and values supporting intercultural dialogue conflicts. are applied in a sustained manner in order to pro- mote long-lasting and peaceful relations. Samid presented the Cultural Center DamaD, which is a Serbian non-governmental organization whose mission is to foster a culture of dialogue and human rights through creative work in local communities and beyond. This NGO focuses on empowering youth from 7 towns of the multi- ethnic and multi-religious Sandzak region of southwest . The Center helps young people develop leadership skills that can be used to ad-

100 Working Breakfast 15. Foundations Engaged in Building Trust and Cooperation among Religions, Cultures and Peoples

Organized by the Alliance of Civilizations International Network of Foundations

The purpose of the meeting was to further the foundations working on AoC-related themes. INF discussion started at the International Network will begin by focusing on the following areas as of Foundations (INF) meeting in Marrakech identified by foundations – education, media, the in February 2009. The INF’s primary goal is to arts, intercultural and interfaith dialogue, youth bring together foundations working to build trust leadership, and conversations on religious issues. and cooperation among religions, cultures and peoples, by promoting knowledge exchange, col- The breakfast session also explored further how laboration and advocacy. the International Network of Foundations could successfully carry out its role in managing rela- The INF aims to achieve these goals in the fol- tions between foundations as well as between lowing ways: a) facilitate information exchange foundations and other stakeholders. The ses- and increase collaboration by acting as a central sion was attended by many notable foundations space for foundations to share information and around the world, including those who attended best practices; b) encourage collaboration among the earlier meeting in Marrakech. complementary initiatives, especially across regions; and c) provide resources to support

101 Working Breakfast 16. Media Dialogues Between Regions: The Euromediterranean Experience

Partner Organizations: European Commission and the Anna Lindh Euro-Mediterranean Foundation for the Dialogue between Cultures

While many workshop sessions dealt with the 2005 to the operation of the network today. He potential of the media to impact on intercultural explained how repeat meetings of media profes- issues – both positively and negatively – this ses- sionals over a period of time – more than 500 sion allowed media representatives to demonstrate have been involved to date – had established their own capacity for promoting understand- common trust, confidence and actual coop- ing between different nations and peoples. The eration among journalists from very different European Neighbourhood Journalism Network backgrounds. Discussions have focused on topics (ENJN) – evolving from Euromed and the Media of importance to the media – such as training of – is a European Commission sponsored consulta- journalists, their safety and security in carrying tion with media in the Euromed region about out their work and representation of minorities in their views on the relationship between the EU the profession – as well as on broader issues that and its neighbours and their capacity to report on affect the way individual media professionals op- it. Participants in the consultation present at the erate: freedom of the press, reporting on terrorism Forum addressed the question of whether there is and the challenges of intercultural communica- value in the media having its own dialogue as part tion have all been hotly debated. of the greater process of improving relationships between different cultures. The consultation now has sufficient credibility in its own right in EU political circles for par- European Commission (External Relations) ticipants to be requested to give their views on a representative Tom McGrath opened the briefing range of policy issues. Communications have been with a context-setting explanation of how the sent to meetings of EU ministers and the journal- initial project was conceived and what it brought ists involved have offered input into government to the Commission’s understanding of media and administration work that has a media aspect, operations in the region. This was followed by the such as the Rapid Response Media Mechanism presentation of Paul Walton, Communications for times of cultural crises in the Euro-Medi- Manager of the Anna Lindh Foundation, on the terranean region being jointly developed by the work of the Foundation and its contributions to Commission, the Alliance and the Anna Lindh the field of media, including bringing together top Foundation. The understanding and trust gener- managers from the media sector in the framework ated among the group is seen as reflecting what of the Union for the Mediterranean and promot- can be achieved when there is an opportunity for ing region-wide recognition for the positive action dialogue that is allowed to focus on matters of of journalists for intercultural dialogue. common interest as well as tackling those areas where differences naturally exist. Irish Times Foreign Affairs Editor, and ENJN member, Paul Gillespie then provided an account of the Euromed media dialogue from its start in

102 103 appendix: list of participants

Aziz bin Mohammed Al Rowas Al Rowas Bibiana Aido Yasser Al-Arami Adviser to His Majesty the Sultan for cultural Minister of Equality, Government of Spain Al-Hadath Newspaper affairs Spain Oman M. J. Akbar Khalid Bin Mohammad Al-Attiyah Celso Luiz Nunes Amorim Journalist and Author Minister for International Cooperation of Qatar Minister of External Relations of the Federative India Qatar Republic of Brazil Brahim Akdim Adnan Al-Bakhit Brazil Dean, Faculty of Letter SAIS, USMBA, Fez, Historian, University of Jordan, Louis Alkiviadis Abatis Morocco OIC Ambassador Morocco Issah Ali Mac Henry Akeh Youth Solidarity Fund Winner, Coordinator, Yohannes Mezgebe Abay Director of Ministry of Arts and Culture Federation of Youth Clubs East African Office of the Pan African Youth Union Cameroon Ghana Ethiopia Fatma Akgun Ilham Aliyev Saipul Anuar Abd. Muin AFS Executive Director President, Republic of Azerbaijan, Baku Deputy Director General, Planning Department of Turkey Azerbaijan National Unity and Integration Zahid Akman Khalid A. Al-Jufairi Malaysia President, Radio and Television Supreme Council; School of Foreign Service Abdelwaheb Abdallah General Director, RTUK Qatar Minister for Foreign Affairs of Republic of Turkey Sven Alkalaj Tunisia Mohammed Al Ansari Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Laila Abdel Mageed Office of Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Herzegovina Dean / Faculty Mass Communication, Cairo Nasser Al Missned, Media Officer Bosnia and Herzegovina University Qatar Sevinc Alkan Egypt Hassan Al Balawi Islamic Conference Youth Forum for Dialogue and Kassim Abdillahi Waiss Forum Palestinien Pour la Culture et la Cooperation National Youth Council of Djibouti Cimminucation Turkey Djibouti France Shaikh Khalid Bin Ahmed Feisal Abdul Rauf H.R.H. Prince Turki Al Faisal Al-Khalifa Director, Cordoba Initiative Founder, King Faisal Foundation, Riyadh Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of USA Bahrain Bahrain Alexander Abramov Khalid Ghanim Al Ghaith Secretary of the Representation of the Moscow Director of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Aysha Alkusayer Patriarchate Affairs Assistant Executive Manager, Strategic Studies USA United Arab Emirates Dept, Alwaleed bin Talal Foundation Saudi Arabia Seyed Mohammed Ali Abtahi Yousuf Al Hasan President, Institute for the Inter-Religious Dialogue Minister Plenipotentiary Tami Allen-Frost Iran, Islamic Republic Of United Arab Emirates ITN (Independent Television News) Israel Badli Hisham Adam Mohammed Al Hussaini Counsellor Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Turkey Walid Al-Moualem Malaysia Saudi Arabia Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Syrian Arab Republic Emmanuel Adamakis Khalid Khalifa Al Mualla Syrian Arab Republic Ecumenical Patriarchate Ambassador of United Arab Emirates to Turkey France United Arab Emirates Naif Al-Mutawa CEO, Teshkeel Media Group; creator of THE 99 Randa Adel Achmawi Hassan Ibrahim Al Muhannadi superheroes Diplomatic Correspondent, Al Ahram Director, Permanent Population Committee Kuwait Egypt Qatar Khairaldin Al-Nsour Sarunas Adomavicius Mina Al Oraibi Yemen Times Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Vice-Minister International Correspondent, Ash-Sharq Al-Awsat Yemen of United Kingdom Lithuania Hisham Al-Qadi Anas Al Shaikh Ali Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Syrian Arab Republic Arman Aghadjanian Association of Muslim Social Scientists Syrian Arab Republic Protocol Officer United Kingdom Armenia Mutlaq R. Al-Qarawi Abdulrazzak Al-Abdulghani Assistant Undersecretary for Technical Coordina- Nazim Ahmad Ambassador tion, Foreign Relations and Hajj, Ministry of Aga Khan Development Network Qatar Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Portugal Ebrahim Yusuf Alabdulla Kuwait Ghada Ahmed Khalil Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bahrain Ambassador Seyh Habib M. Al-Riyami Coordinator of External Relations, Nexos Alianza Bahrain Secretary General, Sultan Qaboos Centre for Spain Abiodun Adewale Alabi Islamic Culture, Diwan of Royal Court, The Palace, Thomas Ahrenkiel International Centre for Proficiency, Muscat Permanent Under-Secretary of State Chapter Oman Denmark Nigeria

104 Abdullah M. Alsaidi Hamid Reza Anousheh Tricia Austin Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Counsellor Course Director, Central Saint Martins College of Yemen to the United Nations Iran, Islamic Republic Of Art and Design, University of the Arts Yemen United Kingdom Lotfi Aouad Abdulkareem Hamad A. Al-Sayegh Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morroco to Turkey Jeffrey Avina Professor, Al Imam University, and Vice President Morocco Citizenship Lead, Middle East and Africa, of Center for Islamic Contemporary Studies and Microsoft Ismail Aramaz Dialogue of Civilizations USA Deputy Director General, International Political Saudi Arabia Organization, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mehmet Aydın Sonja Alsfack Turkey Minister of State of Turkey Adviser, Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Turkey Cly Wallace Aramian Switzerland Strategic Communications and Public Affairs Mohammed Ayesh Karim Al-Shakar Consultant, Author of a Publication on Doing Education for Employment Foundation Ambassador at large, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Business in a Multicultural World United Arab Emirates Bahrain United Kingdom Mahmood Ali Ayub Jamal Al-Tahat Marisol Argueta de Barillas UN Resident Coordinator, Turkey Journalist Minister of Foreign Affairs United Nations Jordan El Salvador Vasif Ayvazzada Abdulaziz Othman Altwaijri Aljaz Arih Head Specialist, Ministry of Culture and Tourism Director General Head of Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan ISESCO the Republic of Slovenia Mariam Azeem Slovenia Mohammed Bin Nasser Al-Wohaibi Youth Center for Intercultural Dialogue Ambassador of Oman to Turkey Karen Armstrong Pakistan Oman Author and Historian of Religion Tariq Azizuddin United Kingdom Hasan Alziyani Ambassador of Pakistan to Turkey State Minister, Special Advisor Jenna Arnold Pakistan Bahrain Founder & President, Press Play Productions Abdul Rahman Azzam United Arab Emirates Luís Filipe Marques Amado Office of Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Ann Rosemary Arnott Nasser Al Missned Portugal British Council Qatar Portugal United Kingdom Ali Babacan Omar Amanat Eekku Aromaa Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey Co-Founder, Groundswell Productions and Board Allianssi Turkey Member of the AoC Media Fund Finland Pedro Carlos Da Silva USA Famile Fatma Arslan Bacelar de Vasconcelos Kusainov Amangeldi Islam and Citizenship National Coordinator for the Alliance of Historian, Rector, Euroasian Humanitarian Netherlands Civilizations University Portugal Thomas Asher Kazakhstan Program Officer, Social Science Julia Bacha Shahed Amanullah Research Council Producer and Media Director, Just Vision Alt Muslim USA USA USA Alimirzamin Askerov Egemen Bağiș Pilar Amaret Head, Department of Human Rights, Democratiza- Minister of State of Turkey Ambassador, Permanent Representative, Mission tion and Humanitarian Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Turkey of to UNESCO Affairs Nick Baird Chile Azerbaijan British Government, Ambassador Mordehai Amihai Reza Aslan United Kingdom Consular General of Israel to Turkey Analyst, CBS News; Fellow, University of South- David Baker Israel ern California Center on Public Diplomacy Vice President of Environmental and Social USA Abdelmadjid Amrani Responsibility and Chief Sustainability Officer, Professor, Batna University Gulay Aslantepe Newmont Algeria Director of the ILO Office in Ankara USA United Nations Hassina Hemamid Amrani Govhar Bakhshaliyeva Professor, Batna University Christer Asp Director of the Institute of Oriental Studies Algeria Ambassador of to Turkey Azerbaijan Sweden Nikolas Analytis Canon Trond Bakkevig Member of TITAN Group CSR Committee, Chair of Jean Asselborn Convenor of Council of Religious Institutions of the Hellenic Global Compact Secretariat and of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign the Holy Land the Hellenic CSR Network Board Affairs and Immigration of Luxembourg Norway Greece Luxembourg Gordan Bakota Martin La Cour Andersen Gemma Aubarell Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia to Turkey Senior Advisor Programme Coordinator, ALF Croatia Denmark United Kingdom Dora Bakoyannis Minister for Foreign Affairs of Greece Greece

105 Tigran Balayan Pierre Besnainou Vasileios Bornovas Spokesperson of the Minister of Foreign Affairs FSJU Consular General of Greece to Turkey, Istanbul of Armenia France Greece Armenia Rajika Bhandari Vito Borrelli Kerim Balcı Research and Evaluation Director, International Erasmus Mundus Programme, European Columnist, Today’s Zaman Institute of Education Commission Turkey India European Commission Ana Balletbo Rajkumar Bidla Dhouha Boukhris Spain Commonwealth Youth Programme Secretariat, Director of External Relations at the Director London General’s Office Ausrine Baltulionyte United Kingdom ALECSO Lithuanian Youth Council Lithuania Merete Bilde Muhammed Ali Bouleymen Senior Policy Advisor, Council of the European Advisor, International Organization of the Marcio Barbosa Union, Policy Unit Francophonie Deputy Director-General of UNESCO General Secretariat of the Council of the Tunisia UNESCO European Union Robert Bowles Peter Barker-Homek ITN (Independent Television News) Chief Executive Officer, TAQA Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden United Kingdom USA Sweden Ümit Boyner Richard Barrett Sheikh Habib Bin Mohammed Member of Board of Directors of Boyner Holding Coordinator, Al-Qaida and Taliban Monitoring Bin Al Sheikh Said Al Riami & TÜS_AD Vice President Team, United Nations Secretary General of the Sultan Qaboos Center Turkey USA Oman Ahmet Bozer Gabriella Battaini-Dragoni Prince Bandar bin Khalid al Faisal President of our Eurasia + Africa Group, the Coca DG, Education, Culture, Heritage, Youth and Investment Enterprises Ltd. Cola Company Sport, COE Saudi Arabia Turkey France Mohammed Bin Amer Bin Said Patrice Claude Brodeur Mireia Belil Al Shidhani Associate Professor, Research Chair, Director General, Universal Forum of Cultures Senior Specialist Universite de Montreal Foundation Oman Canada Spain H.H. Sheikha Mozah Shlomo Buchhut Otto Bell Bint Nasser Al-Missned Mayor of Ma’alot-Tarshiha, Israel, Chairman of Ogilvy & Mather Chair, Qatar Foundation for Education, Science & Union of Local Authorities in Israel (ULAI) United Kingdom Community Development, Israel Mehrez Ben Rhouma Qatar Bertrand Buchwalter Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Tunisia, Ambassador Peter Bisanz First Secretary Tunisia Director, Entropy Films France Mohammed Benabdeljalil USA Anchanin Buddhimongkol Ambassador, Istanbul Jean-Nicolas Bitter Office of International Relations, Ministry of Morocco Civilian Operations/Programme Officer, Federal Culture Zineb Benbrahim Department of Foreign Affairs, Political Division IV Thailand Eden Pour les Oeuvres Socio Culturelles Switzerland Danny Buerkli Morocco Josef Boehle Board Member, Initiative for Intercultural Learning Georgette Bennet Coordinator, UNESCO Chair in Interfaith Studies, Switzerland President of the Board, Tanenbaum Center for University of Birmingham Abdullah Ali Bujeery Interreligious Understanding United Kingdom Press Advisor USA Irina Bokova Bahrain Jim Berk Permanent Representative of Bulgaria to Elisabeth Buk-Berge CEO, Participant Media UNESCO Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research/ USA Bulgaria Senior Advisor Florent Bernard Magne Kjell Bondevik Norway Project Officer, Directorate General of Research, Former Prime Minister of Norway and Director Kudret Bulbul European Commission of the Oslo Center for Peace and Human Rights - Associate Professor, Kirikkale University Ram Expert Turkey Norway Adalberta Mazzini Bernardini Richard W. Bulliet Vice President and Co-Founder, International Ittiporn Boonpracong Professor of History, Middle East Foundation for Interreligious and Intercultural Deputy Director-General, Ministry of Foreign Institute, Columbia University Dialogue Affairs of Thailand USA Thailand Patrick Butler Armando Bernardini Robert Bordbar Vice President, International Center for Journalists President and Co-Founder, International Founda- Voice of America USA tion for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue; USA Former Vice President of Bristol Myers Squibb Prof. Tufan Buzpinar Tonio Borg in Europe Professor of History at Fatih University Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Italy Turkey Affairs of Malta Genevieve Berti Malta Iva Cabral Monaco State Government, Ministry for Foreign Historian, Director of the Library at the National João Paulo Borges Coelho Affairs, Chief Secretary Assembly of Associate Professor, Department of History, Monaco Cape Verde Eduardo Mondlane University, Maputo Mustafa Cagrici Istanbul City Mufti Turkey

106 Ambassador Maximo Cajal Donna Chung Stephen Cutts Adviser to the for the Issue Analyst, UN Global Compact Commonwealth Secretariat, Director, Strategic Alliance of Civilizations United Nations Planning and Evaluation Division Spain United Kingdom Hakan Citik Micheline Calmy-Rey Specialist, Tourism and Promotion, Istanbul 2010 Alberto D’Alessandro Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs European Capital of Culture UNICRI Liaison Representative to the Council of of Switzerland Turkey Europe Switzerland UNICRI Andreu Claret Juan Martin Camusso Executive Director, the Anna Lindh Euro-Medi- Luca Dall’Oglio Youth Solidarity Fund Winner, Institutional Rela- terranean Foundation for the Dialogue between Permanent Observer to the UN, International tions Manager, Argentinian Youth Organization for Cultures, Alexandria Organization for Migration the United Nations (OAJNU) Egypt IOM Argentina Dell Clark Higgie Daniela Dalmasso Arantxa Canto Garcia Ambassador, Head of Delegation of New Zealand University of Pavia and Centro di Ricerca Federación Española de Municipios y Provincias to the Second AoC Forum sull’Integrazione Europea (CRIE) , University of Spain New Zealand Siena Italy Ulla Carlsson Joan Clos Nordic Information Center for Communication Ambassador of Spain to Turkey Michele Damone Research Spain Intern, Office of Executive Director, United Sweden Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Simon Cohen Italy Sean Calhoun Carroll Global Tolerance, a Firm Helping the Ted Prize and Director of Programs, Club de Madrid the Charter for Compassion Initiative With Karen Nurlan Danenov Spain Armstrong Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan United Kingdom Kazakhstan Mauricio Carvalho Lyrio Advisor for European Affairs Roger Cohen Abdulvahap Darendeli Brazil Senior columnist, The New York Times Radio and Television Supreme Council USA Turkey Pedro Castro Vasquez Mayor of Getafe, President of the Spanish Federa- Adrian Contursi-Reynoso Srdjan Darmanovic tion of Municipalities and Provinces World Organization of the Scout Movement - University Professor, Dean of the Political Spain Interamerican Region Science Faculty, University of Montenegro Argentina Montenegro Philippe Cayla Chairman of the Executive Board, Euronews Arlette Conzemius Terry Davis France Ambassador of Luxembourg to Turkey Secretary General, Council of Europe, Strasbourg Luxembourg Council of Europe Francisco “Tachi” Cazal President and CEO, AFS Intercultural Programs Mariana Coolican John Davison Paraguay Graduate Student, Kobe University Chargé D’affaires Japan Canada Hüseyin Çelik Minister of Education of Turkey Hamish Cooper Ahmet Davutoglu Turkey Ambassador of New Zealand to Turkey Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey, Ankara New Zealand Turkey Laura Cervi Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona Oliver Cornock Marc Perrin de Brichambaut Spain Oxford Business Group Secretary General of the OSCE United Kingdom OSCE Constantin Chalastanis Ambassador Ebru Cos Herman de Croo Greece Managing Director, Turkey Office, Manpower Minister of State, Head of Delegation Turkey Belgium Pedro O. Chan Ambassador of Philippines to Turkey Antonio Costa Pieter de Gooijer Philippines Mayor of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Political Director Portugal Netherlands Robert Chase Founding Director, Intersections Carlos Costa Neves Gloria de Pascual USA Head of the Department of Political Organizations Advisor, Cabinet of the President of the Government Portugal Spain Kamel Chir Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Algeria Doru Costea Jean-Michel Debrat Algeria Counselor, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania Deputy Chief Executive Officer, AFD Romania France Tae-Ick Cho Director, Human Rights and Social Affairs Divi- Alkis Courcoulas Christopher Dekki sion, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Athens New Agency Graduate Student, St. John’s University Korea, Republic of Turkey USA Muallem Choudhury Stefania Craxi Francois Del Marmol Executive Director, Finance & Planning, Advanced Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs of the Consular General of Beligum Chemical Industries Ltd Republic of Italy Belgium Bangladesh Italy Bertrand Delanoe Tomas Anker Christensen Francisco Crespo Mayor of Paris; President of United Cities and Head of Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs International Union of Socialist Youth Local Governments Denmark UCLG Ambassador Leonidas Chrysantopoulos Nimet Çubukçu Nikki Al Ben Delfin Ambassador, Secretary-General, Organization Minister of State Youth Solidarity Fund Winner, Project Coordinator, of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC), Turkey Generation Peace Youth Network (GenPeace) Istanbul Philippines BSEC

107 Donatella Della Ratta Tahsine El Khayat Ambassador Alexandre Fasel Creative Commons Geoprojects / TV Sat & Publishing Head of Political Division III (UN and Other Italy Lebanon International Organizations) Switzerland Boudjemaa Delmi Ahmed El Tayeb Director General, International Political and Secu- President of Al Azhar University Taib Fassi Fihri rity Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Algeria Egypt Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Algeria the Kingdom of Morocco Leena El-Ali Morocco Felix Denegri Director, Partners in Humanity Program, Search Focal Point of the Government of at the for Common Ground Abebaw Felleke Istanbul Forum of the AoC USA Acting Director, United Nations Main Organs, Peru Funds and Programmes Affairs, Directorate Alaa El-Hadidy General of International Organizations, Ministry Nell Derick Debevoise Ambassador of Egypt to Turkey of Foreign Affairs Director of International Relations, Tomorrow’s Egypt Ethiopia Youth Organization Nada Elhusseiny Palestinian Territory, Occupied Pasquala Ferrara Silatech Head of the Analysis and Programming Unit of the Jose Luis Diceneta Ballester Qatar Ministry for Foreign Affairs Secretary General Bernard Emie Italy Latin Union Ambassador of France to Turkey Jan Figel Robert Chatterton Dickson France Member of the European Commission respon- Director, Counter Terrorism Department, Foreign Rejane Ereau sible for Education, Training, Culture and Youth, and Commonwealth Office Youth Solidarity Fund Winner, Editor, No Ghetto Brussels United Kingdom France European Commission Ann Dismorr Halit Eren José María Figueres Olsen Former Ambassador of Sweden to Turkey, Senior Director General, IRCICA Former President of Costa Rica; CEO of Advisor to the Turkey Initiative, Institute for Secu- Turkey Concordia21 rity and Development Policy, Costa Rica Sweden Hamit Ersoy Head of International Relations Department, Eva Filipi Abigail Disney Radio and Television Supreme Council Ambassador of the in Turkey Founder & President, Daphne Foundation Turkey Czech Republic USA Courtney P. Erwin Veysel Filiz Esra Doğramaci Chief of Staff, Cordoba Initiative Vice-Chair, COJEP Reporting and Research Associate, UNICEF USA France Turkey Kirsti Eskelinen Janine Finck Peter Leo Doyle Ambassador of Finland to Turkey Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Director Ambassador to Turkey, Australian Department of Finland Luxembourg Foreign Affairs and Trade Australia Ignacio Espinosa Bernadette Fischler Program Officer, the Shared Societies Project, World Association of Girls Guides and Girl Scouts Ambassador János Dr. Perényi Club de Madrid (WAGGGS) National Coordinator for Alliance of Civilizations, Spain United Kingdom Department of Human Rights, Ministry of Foreign Affairs John Esposito Tom Fleming Founder & Director, Alwaleed Center for Muslim- Tom Fleming Creative Consultancy Christian Understanding, Georgetown University, United Kingdom Yonathan Druckman Washington Municipal Alliance for Peace in the Middle East Karen Fogg USA (MAP) Head of Unit, United Nations and Treaties Office, Israel Said Essoulami External Relations Directorate General, European CIF Mean Commission Joyce Dubensky Morocco European Commission Executive Vice President, Tanenbaum Center for Interreligious Understanding Menno Ettema Benedicto Fonseca USA International Coordinator, United Network of Advisor for European Affairs Young Peacebuilders Brazil Alain Dubuy Netherlands Deputy Consul General Divina Frau Meigs France HRH Prince Bandar bin Khalid Al Faisal Professor, Sorbonne University Philanthropist France Petru Dumitriu Saudi Arabia Director General for Global Affairs, General Ilmas Futehally Directorate for the UN and Other Specialized Ghida Fakhry Vice President of Strategic Foresight Group Institutions, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Senior Presenter, Al Jazeera International, Wash- India Romania ington, D.C. Cristina Gabarro Lebanon Alois Ecker Universal Forum of Cultures Foundation Department for Didactics of History, Social Stud- Anas Al Falah Spain ies and Civic Education, University of Vienna Asia Muslim Committee, Youth Section Cheikh Tidiane Gadio Kuwait State Minister for Foreign Affairs and Senegalese Symela Efthymiadou Jean-Louis Falconi Abroad of the Republic of Senegal Special Advisor to the Minister Ministry of Foreign Affairs of France, Counsellor Senegal Greece of the Minister Vladimir Gai France Victor John Ekpe Chief Section, Communication Development National Orientation Agency Paul Fallon Division Afghanistan National Youth Council of Ireland UNESCO Ireland Shereen El Feki Alina Galyautdinova Professor of Journalism, American University Mahnaz Anwar Fancy National Youth Council of in Cairo Director of Development, AoC Media Fund Russian Federation Egypt USA

108 Fernando Garcia Casas Stephen Green Mahomad Hallar Director de Cabinete, Secretaria General Head of European Research, British Council Islamic Organization for the Latina American and Iberoamericana United Kingdom the Caribbean SEGIB Argentina Araya Violeta Griso Thomas Mohammed Anwar Gargash Fons Català de Cooperació Al Desenvolupament Tarja Halonen Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of the United Afghanistan President of Finland Arab Emirates Finland Rafael M. Grossi United Arab Emirates Minister, Director General for Political Coordina- Jens Hanefeld Elmar Gasimov tion, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International State Secretary, Advisor Deputy Minister of Education Trade and Worship Germany Azerbaijan Argentina Sarmad Harake Enrique Gaspar Rodriguez Pan Guang Advisor to the President, Union of the Comoros President, Nexos Alianza Director and Professor, Shanghai Academy of Comoros Spain Social Sciences Mike Hardy China Elisabeth Gateau Director, British Council Secretary General, United Cities and Local David Guedes Ferreira United Kingdom Governments Portuguese National Youth Council Aleksi Harkonen UCLG Portugal Policy Advisor, Office of the President of the Ali Gedikoglu Simon-Xavier Guerrand-Hermès Republic of Finland Vice President of Come International Chairman, Guerrand-Hermes Foundation for Finland France Peace Bambang Harymurti United Kingdom Safwan Ghanem President Director, Media Istanbul Consulate General of Syrian Arab Consuelo S. Guerrero Indonesia Republic President of the National Council of Zulkifli Hashim Syrian Arab Republic Culture and Arts Assistant Secretary Marc Giacomini Malaysia Deputy Director at the Direction for the United Rene Guitton Puteri Wardatul Hayat Sabran Nations and International Organizations in the Writer and Publisher Asian Youth Council Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs France Malaysia France Halil Ibrahim Gul Anush Hayrapetyan Jesus Gil Fuensanta Radio and Television Supreme Council Eurasia Partnership Foundation Professor of Archaeology Turkey Armenia Spain Ertu_Rul Günay Corinne Henchoz Pignani Paul Gillespie Minister of Culture and Tourism Program Officer, Federal Department of Foreign Euro-Mediterranean Journalist Task Force/ the Turkey Affairs Irish Times Dr. Heidemaria Gürer Switzerland Ireland Ambassador of Austria to Turkey Effenus Henderson Greg Giokas Austria Chief Diversity Officer, Weyerhaeuser Director, Muslim Communities Working Group Emilia Gutuleac USA Canada 100 Frontieres Bertus Hendriks Armand Giramahoro Moldova Radio Netherlands Worldwide Amahoro Youth Club Bertel Geismar Haarder Netherlands Burundi Minister of Education of Denmark and Minister of Jan Henningsson Dominique Girard Nordic Cooperation Senior Advisor, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Executive Director, Asia-Europe Foundation Denmark Sweden, Middle East and North Africa Depart- Singapore Sari Haavisto ment Mohamed Gohar Ministry of the Interior of Finland, Sweden CEO, Video Cairosat Senior Advisor, Migration Department Jordi Hereu Egypt Finland Mayor of Barcelona, Spain Rui Gomes Randa Habib Spain Head of Education and Training Unit, Directorate Agence France-Presse Tim Hitchens of Youth and Sports Jordan Director European Political Affairs Council of Europe Yael Habif United Kingdom Kinga Goncz Bahcesehir University Civilization Studies Center Renee Hobbs Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey Professor, Founder of Media Hungary Umar Hadi Education Lab, Temple University Hungary Director of Public Diplomacy, Department of USA Maria Victoria Gonzales Roman Foreign Affairs Kasper Hoeng-Jensen Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Spain, Focal Point for Indonesia Head of the Prime Minister’s Private Office the Alliance of Civilizations Asanidze Hagar Denmark Spain National Council of Youth Organizations Magdalena Hogberg Cristina Gonzalez Alvarez Georgia Project Developer, Hälsinglands Museum Ayuntamiento de Getafe Rav Isak Haleva Sweden Spain Chief Rabbi of Jewish Community in Turkey Dries Holvoet Gerhard Gotz Turkey European Liberal Youth Federal Ministry for European Stephen Hallam Belgium and International Affairs Encompass Trust Austria Bernhard Holzner United Kingdom Federal Ministry for European and International Andreas Graf Affairs Initiative for Intercultural Learning Austria Switzerland

109 Gary Horsley Shada Islam Alethea Josephson Euromed Media Network Senior Program Executive, European Policy Microsoft/ AIESEC United Kingdom Center Turkey European Union Bahman Hosseinpour Zoran Jovičić Ambassador to Turkey Ognyan Ivanov President, World Diaspora Organization Iran, Islamic Republic Of Consular General of the Republic of Bulgaria in Australia Istanbul Ferit Hoxha Juliana Jovičić Bulgaria Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Director-General, World Diaspora Organization Affairs of Albania Vladimir Ivanovskiy Serbia Albania Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Nasser Judeh Russian Federation Peter Huba Minister of Foreign Affairs RSM Dr. Robert Jackson Jordan Slovak Republic Director, Warwick Religions and Education Sinko Judit Research Unit, Institute of Education, University Denis Huber Member of the Hungary Delegation to the AoC of Warwick Executive Director, “North-South” Centre for Forum United Kingdom Global Interdependence and Solidarity Hungary Council of Europe Elmar Jakobs Tijani Kabiru Counsellor, Federal Foreign Office Qiao Huijun National Youth Council of Nigeria Germany Vice Director, Department of International Nigeria Organizations and Conferences of Ministry of Ariel Jose James Kari Kahiluoto Foreign Affairs Coordinator Migration and Co-Development, Ambassador for Human Rights and Democracy, China Institute of Studies on Migrations, Etnicidad Political Department, Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Social Development (IMEDES), Universidad Jacques Huntzinger of Finland Autónoma de Madrid. General Secretary, Mission Union pour la Finland Spain Mediterranee Ibrahim Kalin France Guido Jansen Founding Director of the SETA Foundation for Head, Open Europe Program, British Council José Antonio Iborra Lemaire Political, Economic and Social Research; Assis- (Germany Office) Project Manager, Upper Fort Saint Elmo, FSTC tant Professor at the Prince Alwaleed Center for Germany Project Ltd. Christian-Muslim Understanding at Georgetown Spain Marcelo Jardim University’s Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Ambassador of Brazil to Turkey Service. Hagar Ibrahim Brazil Turkey Arab Youth Network Egypt Raminder S. Jassal Judyta Kalota Ambassador of India to Turkey ICRS, Yogyakarta University Mostafa Hassani Idrissi India Professeur de L’Enseignement Supérieur À la Faculté des Sciences de L’Education - Université Mansour Javidan Baher Kamal Youssef Mohammed V - Souissi – Rabat Dean of Research and Garvin Distinguished Inter Press Service-Imps News Agency Morocco Professor, Thunderbird School of Global Manage- Egypt ment M’Hamed Ifriquine Vania Kaneva Iran, Islamic Republic of Ambassador, Ankara School of Oriental and African Studies, London Morocco Surapong Jayanama Bulgaria Special Envoy of the Minister for Foreign Affairs Enrique Iglesias Nebat Karakhanova of the Kingdom of Thailand Secretary General, Secretaría General Islamic Conference Youth Forum for Dialogue and Thailand Iberoamericana Cooperation SEGIB Titz Jean-Pierre Turkey Council of Europe, Head of Division Ekmeleddin Ïhsanoğlu Azza Karam Council of Europe Secretary General, Organization of Islamic Cultural Adviser, United Nations Populations Conference Tomas Jensen Fund (UNFPA) OIC Microsoft United Nations Turkey Halil Inalcik Paivi Kari-Zein Professor Emeritus, Bilkent University Vuk Jeremic Haaga-Helia University of Applied Science Turkey Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Finland Serbia Yasemin Ïnceoğlu Bekir Karliga Serbia Professor of Communication, Galatasaray Advisor to the Prime Minister, President of the University Sun Jingwei Civilization Studies Center, Bahcesehir University Turkey Tsinghua University Turkey China Major General Mohammed Ishtiaq Irina Kasimova Ambassador of Bangladesh to Turkey Mai Jogima Consular General of the Russian Federation in Bangladesh Counsellor to the Minister Istanbul Russian Federation Elshad Iskandarov Secretary General, Islamic Conference Youth Andrew Johnson Elizabeth Katz Forum for Dialogue and Cooperation Connecting Cultures Executive Director, Project Interfaith OIC UK USA Sevinj Iskandarova Jens Jokisch Gülçin Kaya Integration of Azerbaijan Youth to Europe Federal Foreign Office, Deputy Head UNO-Int. Social Consultant Azerbaijan of Cabinet Turkey Germany Nazrul Islam Nedim Kaya Foreign Ministry of Bangladesh Ghazi Jomaa Eurasian International Development Association Bangladesh Ambassador of the Republic of Tunisia to Turkey Turkey Tunisia

110 Recep Kaymakcan Laetitia Kirianoff Sabine Kroissenbrunner Professor, Sakarya University Diplomatic Adviser, Federal Department of Head of Unit V.3a, Inter-Cultural and Inter- Turkey Foreign Affairs Religious Dialogue, Head of Task Force Dialogue Switzerland of Cultures/Dialogue with the Muslim World and Mary Kayode Islam in Europe, Federal Ministry for European and Girls Guide of Nigeria Samuel Klein International Affairs Nigeria The Coexistence Trust Austria United Kingdom Zehra Ece Kayrak Raimund Kunz Lecturer, Department of Foreign Languages, Kjersti Toverud Klette Ambassador of Switzerland to Turkey Istanbul University The European Wergeland Centre Switzerland Turkey Norway Marcel Kurpershoek Shadia Kenawy Ondrej Klipa Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador of the Ambassador Permanent Delegate of Egypt to Director of the Secretariat of the Council for Kingdom of the Netherlands in Ankara UNESCO National Minorities Netherlands France Czech Republic Katja Kustec Craig Kennedy Klauss Klipp EMUNI Foundation President, German Marshall Fund of the United Secretary General, Assembly of European Slovenia States Regions (Are) USA Germany Markos Kyprianou Minister for Foreign Affairs of Cyprus Erik Kersevan Micheal Kocab Cyprus Adviser to the President of the Republic of Minister of the Government of the Czech Republic Slovenia on Legal Affairs for Human Rights Lyubomir Kyuchukov Slovenia Czech Republic Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria Rustem Khairov Valery Kolesnik Bulgaria Executive Director, Foundation for the Survival Ambassador to Turkey and Development of Humanity Belarus William Lacy Swing Russian Federation Director General Nikola Kolev IOM Masood Khalili Chief of the Cabinet of the President Ambassador, Ankara Bulgaria Firoz Ladak Afghanistan Executive Director, the Edmond & Benjamin de Kornelios Korneliou Rothschild Foundations Rana Bilal Ahmad Khan Director, Ambassador France Pakistan National Youth Council Cyprus Pakistan Abduljalil Lahmanate Melpomeni Korneti Sheikha Mozah Her Highness Office, Consultant Riz Khan Ambassador of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Qatar News Anchor, Al-Jazeera International, New York Macedonia to Turkey USA Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of José Manuel de Carvalho Lameiras Ambassador of Portugal to Turkey Seyyed Mohammad Khatami Katrine Korsgaard Portugal Former President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, European Education Exchange - Youth for Under- Tehran standing Linn Landmark Iran, Islamic Republic of Belgium ACTIVE Norway Ho Khek Hua Dmitri Kosyrev Deputy Director General Planning Department of Russian Information Agency Novosti Rita Laranjinha National Unity and Integration Russian Federation Adviser to the Minister of State and for Foreign Malaysia Affairs Sirkku Kotilainen Portugal Dimitri Khodr Professor, University of Jyvaskyla Al Jadeed TV Finland Ahmed Larouz Lebanon Founder of the Ramadan Festival, Bridgizz Ambassador Matjaž Kovačič Netherlands Ramzi Khoury Head of the Division for International Organiza- Communications Consultant, Journalist and tions and Human Security in the Ministry of Larbi Latroch Columnist Foreign Affairs of Slovenia Ïstanbul Consul General Israel Slovenia Algeria Jan Kickert Bora Kozbekci Isaura Leal Fernandez Federal Ministry for European and International AIESEC General Director, FEMP Affairs Turkey Spain Austria Ravi Krishnamurthy Jean-Michel Leclercq James Kidner Libforall Foundation Honorary President, Association of Comparative Director, the Coexist Foundation USA Francophonie Education United Kingdom France Jolanda Kriskovieciene Merve Kilinc Minister Counsellor, Embassy of Lithuania to Bernardino Leon Participant Turkey Secretary General, Office of the Prime Minister Turkey Lithuania of Spain Spain Benjamin Kim Alexander Krivenko Senior Director, Creative Initiatives, Thirteen/ Consul General of the Russian Federation in Ambassador Jose Augusto Lindgren Alves WNET New York Istanbul National Coordinator for the Alliance of USA Russian Federation Civilizations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Brazil Ban Ki-moon Damjan Krnjevic Miskovic United Nations Secretary-General Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Counselor Soumaya Lkoundi United Nations Serbia Student, Hague University Netherlands Arno Kirchhof Ankara Embassy, Counselor Christopher Llewellyn Germany Facilitator, Gemin-i.org United Kingdom

111 Juana Lopez Pagán Robert Markaryan Hartley Millar Director, International Affairs, FEMP Ambassador at large, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Management Partners Spain Russian Federation United Kingdom Flavio Lotti Gema Martín Muñoz Thomas Miller Italian Coordination of Local Authorities for Director General, Casa Árabe and its Internation- Vice President, Business for Diplomatic Action Peace and Human Rights al Institute of Arab and Muslim World Studies USA Italy Spain Antonio Milososki Helder Lucas Ambassador George Massaad Minister for Foreign Affairs of The Former Yugo- Political Advisor, Comunidade dos Países de President, El Mundo Diplomatico slav Republic of Macedonia Lingua Portuguesa Spain Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of CPLP Essa Abdulla Massoud Kaori Minami Julian R. Lugo Mendez Consular General of United Arab Emirates to Political Affairs Officer, Executive Office of the Vice-President, FLAG Turkey Secretary-General FLAJ United Arab Emirates United Nations Eva Lukoseviciute Abdurrahman Mas’Ud Riyaad Minty Council of Lithuanian Youth Organizations Representative of the Department of Religious Al Jazeera New Media Team Lithuania Affairs Qatar Indonesia Andile Lungisa Karen Mirzoyan ANC Youth League Gabriele Mazza Permanent Representative of Armenia to BSEC Director of Education and Armenia Languages, COE Ramez Maalouf Omary Mjenga Rajabu Council of Europe Lebanese American University Second Secretary, Permanent Mission of the Lebanon Babacar Carlos Mbaye United Republic of to the United Nations Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Tanzania Alistair Macdonald-Radcliff Senegal to UNOG/Geneva United Kingdom Branimir Mladenov Senegal Ambassador of Bulgaria to Turkey John MacNutt Thomas Francis McGrath Bulgaria Gemin-i Administrator Euro Med Division, Dg Relex United Kingdom Susan Dorothy Moeller (External Relations) Director, International Center for Media & the Claudia Maffettone European Commission Public Agenda, University of Maryland Responsible for International Relations and Oliver McTernan USA Vice-chair of the Movimento Studentesco Per Founder & President, Forward Thinking L’Organizzazione Internazionale Dalia Mogahed United Kingdom Italy Senior Analyst and Executive Director, Gallup Plashka Abdeha Meade Webster USA Baglan Mailybayev Foro Latinoamericano de Juventud Vice-Minister of Culture and Information of the Laszlo Molnar Republic of Kazakhstan Cisco Systems Kazakhstan Elmaddin Mehdiyev Hungary International Association of Political Science Christopher Derige Malano Oliver Money-Kyrle Students Youth Solidarity Fund Winner, Project Coordina- International Federation of Journalists Azerbaijan tor, International Movement of Catholic Students, Belgium Pax Romana Candido Mendes de Almeida Dipu Moni France Secretary General, Academy of Latinity, Rio de Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh Janeiro Sevda Mammadaliyeva Bangladesh Brazil Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Christan Moran Azerbaijan Marcia Rebeca Mendieta Mendieta Filmmaker Paraguay Youth Council Abdula Manafi Mutualo USA Paraguay Staff Member, Islamophobia Observatory, Miguel Ángel Moratinos Cuyaubé General Secretariat, Organization of the Islamic Emina Merdan Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Conference Chief of Cabinet of the President of the Republic of Spain OIC Bosnia-Herzegovina Bosnia and Herzegovina Roxana Morduchowicz Gunnar Mandt Director, School and Media Project, Ministry of The European Wergeland Centre Ritva-Sini Merilampi Education Norway Counsellor of Education, Ministry of Education, Argentina Helsinki Ali Al Mannai Finland Christine Moro Chief of Cabinet , United Arab Emirates Consular General of France to Turkey United Arab Emirates Gawthorne Michael France Research, Media Tenor International Anthony Mannix Switzerland Iman Mostofa Ambassador of Ireland to Turkey Consular General of Egypt in Istanbul Ireland Jan Michal Egypt Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Head of UN Rita Marascalchi Department Kgalema Petrus Motlanthe External Cooperation Officer Czech Republic Minister of State, Advisor, South Africa OSCE South Africa Patrick Mifsud Ina Marciulionyte Head of the North Africa and Middle East Unit, Amre Moussa Ambassador, Permanent Delegate to UNESCO External and Mediterranean Affairs Directorate, Secretary General Lithuania Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malta League of Arab States Nikel Marcus Malta Anas Muhammed Moussa Sarman BaKaFORUM Joseph Mifsud Jordan Youth Exchange Italy/Germany President, EMUNI, Slovenia Jordan Slovenia

112 Michael Mousseau Joon Oh Urmas Paet Associate Professor, Koc University Deputy Minister for Multilateral and Global Affairs Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of United States Korea, Republic Of Estonia Estonia Loay Mudhoon Adeola Ojeniyi Federal Foreign Office, Advisor Regional Programme Coordinator, West Africa Yahya Pallavicini Germany Youth Network Vice President, Comunita Relgiosa Islamica; Nigeria Chairman, ISESCO Council for Education and Fuad Muradov Culture in the West; Imam, Al Wahid Mosque in Nayora Daisuke Okada Milan - Ram Gaff Expert Azerbaijan Japanese Embassy in Turkey, Second Secretary Italy Japan Pelin Musabay Umit Pamir Islamic Conference Youth Forum for Dialogue and Aivo Orav Former Permanent Representative to NATO and Cooperation Ambassador of Estonia to Turkey to UN Turkey Estonia Turkey M. Vimalan Muthupandian Erol Nezih Orhon Elsa Papadimitriou Principal Assistant Secretary (International), School of Communication Sciences, Anadolu Vice President of the Executive Commission of Policy and Strategic Planning Division, Ministry of University IPO; Vice President of the Greek Parliament Youth and Sports Turkey Greece Malaysia Ambassador Ömür Orhun Renata Papsch Fasil Nahum Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman- Anna Lindh Euro-Mediterranean Foundation Special Advisor to the Prime Minister of Ethiopia in-Office on Combating Intolerance and Discrimi- Egypt Ethiopia nation against Muslims OSCE Sang Won Park Edward Nalbandian Seoul YMCA University Club / National Committee Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Emriye Bağdagül Ormancı for Youth Organizations in Korea Armenia First Secretary, Permanent Mission of Turkey to Korea, Republic Of the United Nations Candido Zaqueu Namburete Turkey Georgi Parvanov Head of the Department for International Coop- President, Republic of Bulgaria, Sofia eration, Division for Planning and Cooperation, Jacqueline O’Rourke Bulgaria Ministry of Education and Culture Sheikha Mozah, Her Highness Office, Consultant Mozambique Qatar Basak Pasali Oxford Business Group Jose Nandhikkara Hidayat Orujov Turkey Director, Centre for the Study of World Religions, Head of State Committee Dharmaram College Azerbaijan Ion Pascu India Ambassador of Romania to Turkey Jacqueline Osei-Owusu Romania Azim Naser-Zia West African Network of Young Women Leaders Ambassador, Istanbul Ghana Agata Patecka Afghanistan Association des Etats Generaux des Etudiants de Driss Ouaouicha l’Europe Samir Nassar President, Al Akhawayn University Poland Silatech Morocco Yemen Ricken Patel Ahmed Saïd Ould Bah Founder and President, Avaaz.org Maher Nasser Head of the Cabinet of the Director General USA UN Vienna Office Media Director ISESCO Austria Derya Pehlivan Fusun Ozatav Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey Juan María Naveja de Anda Director of Online Education Programs and Turkey Director General, Public Education Secretariat Professor, Business Administration, Istanbul Bilgi Mexico University, Istanbul Serafettin Pektas Turkey Intercultural Dialogue Platform Marcin Nawrot Belgium Director, Department of the UN System and Azmi Ozcan Global Issues at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Historian, Rector, Bilecik University, Turkey María Luisa Pellon de Flores Poland Turkey Chef de Cabinet du Secrétarire Général, Secré- tariat Général, Union Latine Moustapha Niasse Tunca Özçuhadar Latin Union Former Prime Minister of Senegal Branch Manager, Directorate General of Protocol, Senegal Ministry of Foreign Affairs Muriel Peneveyre Turkey Advisor, Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Salvatore Nigro Affairs CEO, Europe EFE Ibrahim Ozdemir Switzerland Spain Ministry of National Education, Director-General Turkey Awangku Kamal Ghadafi Pengiran Haji Suhaimi Dr. Anastasia Nikolopoulou Brunei Youth Council Dean, School of Humanities, University of Cyprus Osman Oztoprak Brunei Darussalam Cyprus Turkish Cultural Center New York USA Luce Pépin Amy Novogratz Expert on European Cooperation; Former Director, TED Anil Oztunali Eurydice Network European Unit USA Bilkent University Belgium Turkey Lucy Nusseibeh Robert Pérez Director, Institute of Modern Media, Al-Quds Abdullah Ozturk Senior Vice President, Fenton Communications University, Ramallah Radio and Television Council USA Palestinian Territory, Occupied Turkey Jose Manuel Perez Tornero Deepak Obhrai Nurullah Ozturk Professor, Autonoma University Barcelona Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Radio and Television Supreme Council Spain Affairs, Head of Delegation Turkey Canada Damir Perincic Consular General of Croatia to Turkey Croatia

113 Ana Perona-Fjeldstad Jan Pronk Cecile Regner Executive Director, The European Wergeland Former UN Envoy and former member of the Gov- Richard J. Daley College Centre ernment of Netherlands, Professor Theory and USA Norway Practice of International Development, Institute Carole Reich of Social Studies, the Hague Milica Pesic Campaign Coordinator, Speak Out Against Netherlands Executive Director, Media Diversity Institute Discrimination, Directorate General IV, Council United Kingdom Simon Pullicino of Europe Consul General Istanbul Council of Europe Aziza Peter Obioma Malta High World International Organization Magali Rheault Nigeria Volodymyr Puzyrko Muslim West Facts Project, Gallup Consular General, Embassy of Ukraine to Turkey USA Elida Petoshati Ukraine Director for Turkey, Italy and Greece, Ministry of Mohamed Riffi Foreign Affairs of Albania Khurram Qadir ISESCO Albania Director, National Institute of Historical & ISESCO Cultural Research, Centre of Excellence, Quaid-I Dimitrina Petrova Iqbal Riza Azam University Executive Director, Equal Rights Trust Special Advisor to the UN Secretary-General Pakistan United Kingdom USA Hui Jun Qiao Ambassador Alexander Philon Bob Roberts Focal Point Head of the Academic Center for Analysis and Pastor, Northwood Church China Planning, Ministry of Foreign Affairs USA Greece Bassam Raad Gregory Roberts Baalbeck Municipality, Mayor Marc Pierini President/CEO, Muhammad Ali Center Lebanon Head of the Delegation of the European USA Commission to Turkey Bharathi Radhakrishnan Milan Rocen European Commission Graduate Student, New York University Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of USA Touko Piiparinen Montenegro Centre of Excellence in Global Governance Aleksandra Radosavljevic Montenegro Research Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Counselor Maria Laura Rocha Finland Serbia Head of Ministers Cabinet Cristina Pineda Polo Mustaghfiroh Rahayu Brazil Consultant/Project Coordinator, Religion and Research Coordinator, CRCS-Gadjah Mada Max Rodenbeck Democracy, Network of European Foundations University The Economist France Indonesia Egypt Diogo Pinto Viola Raheb Sarah Rosengaertner Secretary General, European Youth Forum Consultant, Ministry for European and Interna- UNITAR Europe tional Affairs of Austria, Vienna UNITAR Austria Ivan Piperkov Caroline Rozieres Contencin Head of the Department for Political Affairs, Gul Rukh Rahman Agence Francaise de Development Directorate for UN and Global Affairs, Ministry of Children of Abraham France Foreign Affairs USA Bulgaria Sabri Rubaihat Zeenat Rahman Minister of Culture of Jordan Efim Pivovar Senior Coordinator, Public Affairs, Interfaith Jordan Rector, Russian State University for the Humanities Youth Core Russian Federation USA Jean-Daniel Ruch Special Envoy for the Middle East, Ministry of Genc Pollo Mageed Abou Ramadan Foreign Affairs, Switzerland Deputy Prime Minister of Albania Mayor of Gaza, Palestine, President of the Asso- Switzerland Albania ciation of Palestinian Local Authorities (APLA) Palestinian Territory, Occupied Lisbeth Rugtvedt Giuseppe Porcaro State Secretary for Minister of Education of United Nations & Global Youth Issues Coordinator, Laurel Rapp Norway European Youth Forum International Education Program Director, Norway Belgium OneVoice Movement USA Robert Ruoff Reka Posta Director, Basel Karlsruhe (BaKa) Forum Filmmaker, Global Progress Khan Rasheed Switzerland USA Daily Mashriq Peshawar Pakistan / Vice President, Peshawar Press Club Marja Ruotanen Melissa Powell Pakistan Director, Private Office of the Secretary General Head, Strategy and Partnerships, UN Global and the Deputy Secretary General Compact Office Anders Fogh Rasmussen Council of Europe United Nations Prime Minister, Denmark, Copenhagen Denmark Khairun Rustem Ann-Belinda Preis Executive Director, Foundation for the Senior Programme Specialist, Strategic Planning Ebrahim Rasool Development and Survival of Humanity Division, UNESCO Special Advisor to Kgalema Motlanthe, Minister Turkey UNESCO in the Presidency of South Africa South Africa Massimo Rustico Milos Prica Consular General of Italy to Turkey Ambassador at Large, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Heidi Rautionmaa Italy Bosnia and Herzegovina Religions for Peace European Women of Faith Network/ the Forum of Religions Is Helsinki Sergey Ryabokon Karin Proidl Finland First Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Federal Ministry for European and International Russian Federation Affairs Sara Reef Austria Project Manager, Intersections Faris S.Mufti USA Ambassador of Jordan to Turkey Jordan

114 Aziz Saad Nikolaos Sapountzis Fatiha Serour Principal Assistant Secretary Ministry of Education Consular General of Greece to Turkey, Izmir Director, Commonwealth Youth Program Malaysia Greece Commonwealth Ivan Sabolic Samid Sarenkapic Anand Sharma Head of Office of the State Secretary Youth Solidarity Fund Winner, Project Coordinator, Minister of State for External Affairs of the Repub- Croatia Cultural Center DamaD lic of India Serbia India T.S. Sadhu Director General, Ministry of Ext. Affairs Ali Sarikaya Stephen Shashoua India President, Islamic Conference Youth Forum for Director, Three Faiths Forum Dialogue and Cooperation Canada Nafis Sadik Turkey Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General and James Robert Shaw-Hamilton UN Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Asia and the Rebecca Savard Director, Humanitarian Forum Pacific Investment Enterprises Ltd. USA United Nations Saudi Arabia Jonathan Shen Ferit F. Sahenk Helen Sayers Founder & CEO, Shinework Media, Inc. Secretary General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Rajayoga Education and Research China Turkey Oman Nabih Shequem Mehmet Şahin Milorad Scepanovic Advisor of the Minister Legal Advisor, EU and International Relations Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Vice President Jordan Department, Ministry of the Interior Montenegro Domingos Simoes Pereira Turkey Alexander Schallenberg Executive Secretary, Comunidade dos Países de Josef Saiger Federal Ministry for European and International Lingua Portuguesa Federal Ministry for European and international Affairs CPLP Affairs Austria Dato’ Amarjit Singh Gill Austria Roland Schatz Youth Leader, Malaysia National Sikhs Movement Emilia Saiz Media Tenor International Malaysia Director of Institutional Relations Germany Zhang Siqi United Cities and Local Governments Ralph Scheide Focal Point China Sajadian Federal Ministry for European and International China International Education Program Coordinator, Affairs, Ambassador Merve Sirin OneVoice Movement Austria Member of the Turkish Delegation to the AoC Israel and Palestinian Territory, Occupied Hanna Schissler Forum Ibrahim Mostafa Saleh Head of the Research Group “Educational Media Turkey Assistant Professor, Department of Journalism in the Age of Globalization: Contexts, Actors, Julia Skorupska and Mass Communication and Praxis” at the Georg Eckert Institute for Deputy Director, Counter-Terrorism Department, Egypt International Textbook Research, Braunschweig, Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Professor of Modern History at the University Hadel Kamel Saleh United Kingdom of Hanover IQRA Youth Movement Germany Michael C. Slaby Saudi Arabia Program Manaer, Jacob Soetendorp Institute for Paul Schmit Yasser Salimi Human Values Director of Judicial and Cultural Affairs, Ministry Board Member, ICYF-DC Germany of External Affairs and Immigration Iran, Islamic Republic Of Luxembourg Saule Smagulova Ralph Salmi Correspondent, Radio and Television Agency of Rabbi Arthur Schneier Professor Emeritus of Political Science and the Republic of Kazakhstan President, Appeal of Conscience Foundation, Middle East Studies, California State University, Kazakhstan New York San Bernardino USA Katerina Smekalova USA Consular General of Slovak Republic Laura Schuurmans Anatoly Salutsky Slovak Republic Freelance Writer and Research Analyst Writer Indonesia Vadim Smirnov Russian Federation Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Director Lily Schwabe Jorge Sampaio Russian Federation Temple of Understanding High Representative for the UN Alliance of USA Dusan Snoj Civilizations Ambassador, Adviser to the President of the Portugal Rafael E. Seguis Republic of Slovenia on Legal Affairs Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Philippines, Taranjit Sandhu Slovenia Counselor Minister, Permanent Mission of India to the Philippines Branko Sočanac United Nations Minister Counsellor, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and India Chris Seiple European Integration, Human Rights Department President, Institute for Global Engagement Zabrina Santiago Croatia USA Partner Cities Director, Parliament of Worlds Denitsa Pirinova Sokolova Religions Ahmet Selamet International Youth Activity Club USA Vice Mayor of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Turkey Turkey Father Mario Santillo Lillian Solheim Director General, Centro de Estudios Migratorios Muzaffer Senel Advocacy Coordinator, United Network of Young Latinoamericas Marmara University Peacebuilders Argentina Turkey Netherlands Simona Santoro Ismail Serageldin Rita Solis Arce Adviser on Freedom of Religion or Belief, ODIHR President, Bibliotheca Alexandrina World Association of Girls Guides and Girls Scout of OSCE Egypt Costa Rica OSCE

115 Mehmet Bora Sönmez Rita Süssmuth Mustapha Tlili Expert, Radio and Television Supreme Council President, German Association for East European Founder and Director Center for Dialogues: Turkey Studies Islamic World-U.S.-the USA Wafaa Souleiman Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Syrian Arab Republic Elena Sutormina Kasım Jomart Tokayev Syrian Arab Republic First Vice-President of Board, Russian Peace Chairman of the Senate of Kazakhstan, Astana Foundation Kazakhstan Juliao Soares Sousa Russian Federation Chercheur, Centre D’Études Interdisciplinaires du Kadir Topbas XX Siècle, Université de Coimbra István Szabó Mayor of Istanbul Portugal Ambassador, Embassy of the Republic of Hungary Turkey Hungary Maria Dolores Souza Meyerholz Danilo Turk Consejo Nacional de Television Maria Szekely President, Republic of Slovenia, Ljubljana Chile Consul General Slovenia Hungary Taskin Tankut Soykan Ali Tinaz Tuygan Adviser on Combating Intolerance and Discrimi- Mirela Tabaku Ambassador, Permanent Representative of nation Against Muslims OSCE/ODIHR Assistant of the Deputy Prime Minister of Albania Turkey to UNESCO Turkey Albania Turkey Metod Spacek Nayla Tabbara Malek Twal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Director of the Editor-in-Chief, Adyan Minister Plenipotentiary, Ministry of Foreign Cabinet of the State Secretary Lebanon Affairs Slovak Republic Jordan Cho Tae-Ick Michael Spindelegger Director, Human Rights and Social Affairs Division Mariam Tyabji-Guyer Minister of Foreign Affairs of Austria Korea, Republic Of Silatech Austria Morocco Saad Eddin Taib Feodor Starcevic Ambassador, the Organization of the Islamic Frank Ubachs Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs, General Conference Human Rights and Peacebuilding Department, Directorate for Multilateral Affairs OIC Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs Serbia Netherlands Baris Tan Miroslaw Stawski Professor of Operations Management, Dean, Koc Agneta Ucko Consular General of Poland, Istanbul University Secretary-General, Interfaith Council on Eth- Poland Turkey ics Education for Children; Director, Arigatou International Katerina Stenou Nobuaki Tanaka Switzerland Director of Division of Cultural Policies and Ambassador of Japan to Turkey Intercultural Dialogue Japan Michael Ulveman UNESCO Head of Press Mahmoud Tarabay Denmark Frantisek Stepanek Lebanese American University Consular General of the Czech Republic in Lebanon Suheybi Rumi Unal Istanbul Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey Zoltan Taubner Czech Republic Turkey Council of Europe/Director of External Relations Michael Stopford Hungary Sadik Unay Deputy Assistant Secretary General, Strategic IRCICA-OIC Research Centre for Islamic History, Ambassador Aleksandar Tavciovski Communications Services, NATO Public Diplo- Art and Culture Ambassador, Ministry of Foreign Affairs macy Division Turkey Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of NATO Oya Unlu Kizil Samy Tayie Diana Strofova Director, Corporate Communications, Koc Holding Professor, Cairo University State Secretary of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs Turkey Egypt of Slovak Republic Ozgur Unluhisarcikli Slovak Republic Linda Taylor German Marshall Fund of the United States Coordinator Mitja Strukelj Turkey United Nations Ambassador of Slovenia to Turkey Oguz Uras Slovenia Ambassador Heidrun Tempel Research Assistant/Fatih University Special Representative for Dialogue Among Marcelo M. Suárez-Orozco Turkey Civilizations, German Federal Foreign Office Professor of Globalization and Education, New Germany William Ury York University, New York Director, Global Negotiation Project/Program on USA Patricia Teodoracopulos Negotiation at Harvard Law School Professor, Instituto de Formacion Docente No. 128 Federico Subervi USA Argentina Professor and Director, Center for the Study of Cemal Usak Latino Media and Markets, School of Journalism Heleen Terwijn Intercultural Dialogue Platform and Mass Communication, Texas State University Director, IMC Weekend School Turkey at San Marcos Netherlands USA Jesper Vahr Geza Tessenyi Ambassador of Denmark to Turkey Zeeshan Suhail President, Intercultural Communication and Denmark Future Leaders of Pakistan Leadership School Pakistan Italy Ayse Valentin Oxford Business Group Fatema Zahir Sumar Astrid Thors Turkey Professional Staff Member in U.S. Senate Ministry of the Interior of Finland, Minister of Committee Migration and European Affairs Gabriel Valfre USA Finland Argentinian Youth Organization for the United Nations (OAJNU) Neil Sumilas Jean-Pierre Titz Argentina German Marshall Fund of the United States Head of History Education Division, COE USA France

116 Rien van Gendt Paul Walton Fotios-Jean Xydas Chairman of the Network of European Foundations Anna Lindh Foundation Communication Manager Ambassador of Greece to Turkey Belgium United Kingdom Greece Tapio Varis Colleen Ward Dato Mohammad Kamal Yan Yahaya Professor of Vocational Education, University of Director, Centre for Applied Cross-Cultural Deputy Secretary-General II, Ministry of Foreign Tampere Research, Victoria University of Wellington Affairs of Malaysia Finland New Zealand Malaysia Jan Varso Shaukat Warraich Professor Yakın Ertürk Ambassador, Director of UN Department, Ministry Director/Right Start Foundation International UN Special Rapporteur on Violence against of Foreign Affairs United Kingdom Women Slovak Republic United Nations Henry Warren Diogo Vasconcelos CEO, Gemin-I.Org – Parent Organization of Rafi. Alexander Yakovenko Cisco Systems Ki, An Innovative International Virtual School Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Russian United Kingdom Partnership Federation United Kingdom Russian Federation Jose Virgilio Vasquez Vega Youth Council of Nicaragua Sundeep Waslekar Salam Yamout Nicaragua President, Strategic Foresight Group Cisco Systems India Lebanon William F. Vendley Secretary-General, Religions for Peace Ralf-René Weingärtner Juan Antonio Yáñez-Barnuevo USA Director of Youth and Sports, Council of Europe Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Spain Council of Europe at the UN Maxime Verhagen Spain Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands Joshua Weiss Netherlands Managing Director, Abraham Path Initiative Pasa Yasar USA Radio and Television Supreme Council Vitaly Verigin Turkey Member of board, Moscow friends' club Lucas Welch Russian Federation President and Founder, Soliya Suttinee Yavaprapas USA Executive Director, Office of the National Culture Andreja Viher Commission Director, EMUNI Foundation George Weyman Thailand Slovenia Meedan United Kingdom Mustafa Yesil Emilio Rui Vilar Journalists and Writers Foundation President of the Board of Trustees, Calouste Triyono Wibowo Turkey Gulbenkian Foundation Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia Portugal Indonesia Arzu Yilmaz Abraham Path Initiative Meghann Aurea Villanueva Hillary Wiesner Turkey IAVE Youth Office in Catalonia Director, Islam Initiative Carnegie Corporation of Spain New York Gillian Youngs USA Senior Lecturer, Department of Media and Stein Villumstad Communication, University of Leicester Deputy Secretary-General, Religions for Peace Marcin Wilczek United Kingdom USA Ambassador of Poland to Turkey Poland Ahmed Samir Younis Marina Vives Silatech Representative, Executive Secretariat of Euromed Simon Willis USA Permanent University Forum Vice President of the Cisco Internet Business Spain Solutions Group Magda H. Zaki United Kingdom Director, Department of the Dialogue Among Silvia Vizilio Civilizations Council of Europe, Press Correspondent Kinsey Wilson League of Arab States Italy Senior Vice President and General Manager, Digital Media, National Publi Radio (NPR) José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero Hannele Voionmaa USA President of the Government of Spain Ambassador, Department for the and Spain Asia, Ministry for Foreign Affairs Kim Won-Soo Finland Senior Advisor, UNSG Samuel Zbogar United Nations Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Constantin Von Barloewen Slovenia Member of the Scientific Council for International Bart Woord Slovenia Studies, Harvard University; Head of a Program International Federation of Liberal Youth for Dialogue Among Cultures and Civilizations at United Kingdom Vasil Zhechev Schloss Neuhardenberg Foundation (Berlin) Consulate General of the Republic of Bulgaria in Corey Worrell Germany Istanbul Regional Youth Caucus Representative of Barba- Bulgaria Matthias Ludwig Von Kummer dos, Commonwealth Youth Ambassador Ambassador of Germany to Turkey Barbados Lisbet Zilmer-Johns Germany Senior Adviser Sotiros Xenaksis Denmark Alexandra Voudouri Special Advisor to the Minister Athens International Radio Greece Ilyes Zine Greece Union Tunisienne des Organizations des Jeunes Gong Xiaosheng Tunisia Aivars Vovers Ambassador of China to Turkey Ambassador of to Turkey China Sonia Zouari Latvia Abul Abaz Foundation Li Xiguang Afghanistan Maya Vrtaric Executive Dean, School of Journalism and State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Communication, Tsinghua University Harriet Zurndorfer and European Integration of Croatia China Senior Research Scholar, Faculty of Humanities, Croatia Department of Chinese, Leiden University Netherlands

117 appendix: list of organizers

Turkish Organizing Committee Hasan Gogus Suheybi Unal Ambassador, Director-General, Ministry of Third Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Foreign Affairs Dr. Hakan Fidan Gungor Isik Deputy Undersecretary, Prime Ministry Yalçın Kaya Erensoy Expert, Prime Ministry Ambassador, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Ahmet Hadi Adanali Bahadir Buyukboduk Senior Advisor, Ministry of State Ismail Aramaz Expert, Prime Ministry Ilgin Atalay Minister Plenipotentiary, Deputy Director- Head of the Foreign Relations Department, General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Prime Ministry

UN Alliance of Civilizations Florence Laufer Marc Scheuer Organizing Committee Migration & Integration Project and Research Director of the Alliance of Civilizations Officer, Alliance of Civilizations Secretariat Secretariat Helena Barroco Isabelle Legare Jordi Torrent Special Advisor to the High Representative for Youth Programme Manager, Alliance of Media Literacy Education Manager, Alliance of the Alliance of Civilizations Civilizations Secretariat Civilizations Secretariat Jean-Christophe Bas Cecilia Logo-Koefoed Dex Torricke-Barton Strategic Partnerships Manager, Alliance of Intern, Alliance of Civilizations Secretariat Media Consultant, Alliance of Civilizations Civilizations Secretariat Secretariat Daanish Masood Malissa Endsley Communications Officer, Alliance of Civilizations Thomas Uthup Administrative Associate, Alliance of Secretariat Research Manager, Alliance of Civilizations Civilizations Secretariat Secretariat Anna Pavlyuchenko Emmanuel Kattan Events Planner, Alliance of Civilizations Melanie Young Communications Advisor, Alliance of Secretariat Intern, Alliance of Civilizations Secretariat Civilizations Secretariat

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