Est. 3min 09-01-2008 (updated: 28-05-2012 ) interculturaldialogue2008.jpg Euractiv is part of the Trust Project >>> Languages: Français | DeutschPrint Email Facebook X LinkedIn WhatsApp Telegram The European Year of Intercultural Dialogue 2008 was officially launched in Ljubljana with a view to helping EU citizens deal with “a more open and complex” cultural environment. Promoting dialogue between Islam and Christianity has been highlighted as a ‘key part’ of this. The European Year of Intercultural Dialogue was officially launched in Ljubljana on 8 January by Commission and Parliament presidents José Manuel Barroso and Hans-Gert Pöttering, alongside Slovene Prime Minister Janez Jansa. The main objectives of EYID 2008 are the promotion of intercultural dialogue among EU citizens to help them deal with a “more open and more complex environment” and raising awareness of the importance of developing “active European civic participation” which is “open to the world, respectful of cultural diversity and based on common values.” Commission spokesperson John Macdonald said that dialogue between Islam and Christianity would be a “key part” of EYID, with the aim of “improving mutual understanding and better living together”. Inter-religious dialogue – particularly social integration and “encouraging employers to pay close attention to culture” – is an important aspect of EYID in the context of the Growth and Jobs agenda, Macdonald added. EU Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture and Youth Ján Figel told a launch conference that intercultural dialogue would become “a common feature in other policy areas covered by the Commission”, involving the investment of a “considerable amount of resources over the next few years”. The €10m budget for EYID in 2008 will fund an information campaign promoting its objectives and provide grants for EU-level actions to raise awareness of intercultural dialogue among young people, such as major festivals or sporting events, as well as co-finance actions at national level. There will be one national project per member state. Examples of projects to be co-financed by the Commission and the member states include information campaigns on cultural diversity and the development of lifelong learning competences such as foreign languages and digital competence. Announcing the establishment of a civil society platform, Commissioner Figel stressed that civil society involvement is “the key factor” in reaching a large number of people during the year. Moreover, the aims and messages of EYID will be reflected in major arts and culture festivals across Europe. Meanwhile, Liverpool and Stavanger both mark the beginning of their year as European Capitals of Culture on 12 January, with events set to continue in both cities throughout 2008. Read more with Euractiv Increased TV advertising wins EU approval The European Parliament has given the green light to legislation allowing for more frequent commercial breaks and the use of "hidden" ads in television and other audiovisual broadcasts across the EU. Subscribe now to our newsletter EU Elections Decoded Email Address * Politics Newsletters Positions EU Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture and Youth Ján Figel told the conference that the EYID would aim to "move beyond tolerance […] towards a genuine intercultural Europe" by fostering "respectful exchanges between groups of different cultural backgrounds on an equal basis". Describing intercultural dialogue as a long-term need, Figel said: "Young Europeans need intercultural skills from the tenderest age to help them […] learn how to benefit from Europe's cultural diversity." Slovene Culture Minister Dr. Vasko Simonti told the conference that "intercultural dialogue can incite a new European creative spirit", enabling the EU to "consolidate common values for mutual growth and prosperity". Commission spokesperson John Macdonald said that EYID aims to put intercultural dialogue "at the forefront of politicians’ consciousness". Stressing that this is "an ongoing process", he said that its actions would not be limited to this year as there would always be an element of intercultural dialogue in other programmes such as Lifelong Learning, Youth in Action and Europe for Citizens "until 2013 and beyond". BackgroundThe Commission first suggested making this year the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue (EYID) back in 2005, in a proposal which was adopted by the Parliament and Council on 18 December 2006. 2005 was marked by tensions between Europe and the Islamic world following the publication in a Danish newspaper of a series of controversial caricatures of the prophet Mohammed in February of that year. At the time, Commission president José Manuel Barroso gave his strong backing to the principle of freedom of expression, stating that "freedom of speech is not up for negotiation" (see EURACTIV 15/02/06). Turkey acted as the mediator of a meeting between EU foreign ministers on the "need for dialogue between civilisations and religions" that followed the conflict over the cartoons (see EURACTIV 22/02/06), although no long-term role for the country emerged from the ministers' subsequent declaration, which called for 'enhanced dialogue' with Muslim nations (see EURACTIV 24/02/06). A recent Eurobarometer survey indicated that two thirds of Europeans interact with at least one person of a different religious, ethnic or national background every day. Timeline 7 Jan. 2008: Conference on "Intercultural Dialogue as a Fundamental Value of the EU". 8 Jan. 2008: Official launch of the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue 2008. 12 Jan. 2008: Launch activities in European Capitals of Culture Liverpool and Stavanger. Further ReadingEuropean Union European Year of Intercultural Dialogue 2008:Official website Government of Slovenia:Speech by Commissioner Jan Figel at 7 January event(7 January 2008) Government of Slovenia:Opening event of the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue 2008 European Commission:Press release: Slovenia: Official launch of the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue(4 January 2008) [FR] [FR] [DE] European Commission:Press release: Arts festivals join in support for the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue(8 January 2008) Government of Slovenia:Homepage: European Year of Intercultural Dialogue 2008 European Commission:Intercultural Dialogue [FR] [FR] [DE] Eurobarometer:Survey: Intercultural dialogue in Europe(December 2007) European Year of Intercultural Dialogue 2008:List of projects to be funded by the EU European Year of Intercultural Dialogue 2008:List of projects to be co-financed by the EU and member states Non-assigned links Government of Slovenia:Speech by Slovenian Minister of Culture Vasko Simonti at 7 January event Liverpool 2008:Official website of Liverpool, European Capital of Culture 2008 Stavanger 2008:Official website of Stavanger, European Capital of Culture 2008 Liverpool 2008:Calendar Stavanger 2008:Calendar
