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Alliance of Civilizations Forum Second ALLIANCE OF CIVILIZATIONS FORUM 6-7 April 2009 – Istanbul, Turkey Published by: Alliance of Civilizations Secretariat 866 UN Plaza, Suite 300 New York, NY 10017 USA www.unaoc.org Design and Layout: Hedie Joulaee Photos: Sipahiler Printed in the United States by AGS Custom Graphics 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 United Nations 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 Madrid 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 policy 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 governments (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. Jorge Sampaio 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- Government, 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
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