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Informal meeting of the European Ministers responsible for Cultural Affairs : «The new role and new responsibilities of Ministers of Culture in initiating intercultural dialogue, with due regard for cultural diversity» - Strasbourg, 17- 18 February 2003
 As the third millenium gets under way, we find ourselves in a multicultural environment which is both rich in promise and riven with conflicts. In Europe, as in other continents, culture is sometimes diverted from its purpose to justify intercultural and inter-religious conflicts affecting both Western and Eastern Europe. The events of 11 September 2001 showed that this can lead to tragic events on a world scale. Although cultural policy cannot solve all society’s problems, the Council of Europe is convinced that culture, being an excellent means of communication, is a factor that must be taken into account both in the prevention of conflict situations and in post-conflict social reconciliation. Through this project on “Intercultural Dialogue and Conflict Prevention”, the Cultural Policy and Action Department intends not only to analyse the sources of intercultural and inter-religious conflicts and the mechanisms leading to them, in order to prevent such conflicts, but also to consider reconciliation measures to be taken in the post-conflict phase. Co-operation between towns and regions will be set up in member States and, as far as possible, in the wider context of the Mediterranean. Project objective The overall aim is to promote intercultural and inter-religious dialogue and mutual respect and understanding between the different communities and to prevent conflicts through cultural policies and cultural action. Description of tasks/activities and expected results The project involves research activities, an analysis of good practice and support for cultural action. The project Action Plan covers four areas: developing concepts and establishing standards; setting up co-operation networks; developing the European dimension of cultural projects; and setting up flagship initiatives. Each area of action includes several activities as indicated below. ACTION PLAN 2002-2004 Ministerial Colloquy (2002) on the new role and new responsibilities of ministers of culture in initiating intercultural dialogue, with due regard for cultural diversity, the aim being to adopt a Charter setting out an appropriate pan-European cultural co-operation strategy as a way of preventing conflicts through cultural action (to be implemented in 2003/2004). “Dialogue serving intercultural communication”: expert colloquy (2002) providing an opportunity for debate among representatives of the various religions, experts in intercultural and inter-religious dialogue, conflict prevention and human rights, representatives of international organisations, foundations and NGOs, and cultural players working on intercultural communication projects, with the objective of launching a survey of existing initiatives and setting up pilot projects covering symbolic events in order to produce a handbook of good practice for all concerned, which will be disseminated and debated at regional seminars (2003-2004). Cultural diversity, artistic and cultural initiatives and conflict prevention: conference (2002) bringing together artists, scientists, cultural players and policy-makers concerned with diversity, with the objective of establishing principles and policies for implementing a strategy based on the concept of “cultural citizenship”. Such a strategy (to be implemented in 2003-2004) will be based on an evaluation of the results of selected co-operation activities and pilot projects centered on approaches and behaviour conducive, through dialogue, to giving citizenship a new dimension. Co-operation between intercultural regions : in 2002, initial co-operation between the Barents Euro-Arctic Region (Scandinavia and the Russian Federation) and South-Eastern Europe will help the latter to formulate concrete proposals for interactive cultural co-operation within the region (training, creativity, exchange of information and support in organising cultural events). In 2003-2004 this project will be extended to other interested regions (e.g. Caucasus, Mediterranean). The various co-operation projects carried out will be linked through an inter-regional route involving travelling exhibitions of the salient achievements of this project. “Shared cities”: The impact of cultural projects on the promotion/restoration of intercommunity dialogue in cities that are “shared” (for political, administrative or cultural reasons) will be analysed through case studies and pilot projects (2002). The results of this analysis will lead to a compendium of good practice and guidelines for policy-makers and civil society (2003/2004). Networking, joint cultural events and exhibitions are also planned. “Peace enclaves” : Observation and analysis of the different situations in which, in the midst of events in South-Eastern Europe, some regions/cities stood firm, creating “peace enclaves” which kept a multicultural identity and resisted the breakdown of cultural communities. The case study analysis (2002) will lead to a compilation of examples of good practice (2003) and the elaboration of guidelines/strategies for political authorities (2004). Support will be given to the networking of pilot projects, joint cultural events and exhibitions. III : European identity as a dimension of cultural projects Intercultural dimension of the arts: raising awareness among art historians of the need to present cultural projects in a comprehensive way to ensure respect and even-handed treatment for all the cultural communities involved: expert colloquy on art history (2002); extension to other forms of artistic expression (music, NITs) and organisation of awareness-raising seminars (2003-2004). Archives: access to and reconstitution of archives in former major political entities as a key contribution to the establishment of a European common archival heritage for scientific historical research: colloquies for historians and archivists specialising in the former Ottoman Empire, the former Soviet Union and the former Yugoslavia in order to prepare proposals for co-operation and for the implementation of Recommendation R (2000) 13 (2002/2004). Training of cultural players in the intercultural dimension: inclusion of the intercultural dimension (role and responsibilities in instituting intercultural dialogue) in training courses provided to mediators, administrators, curators, publishers, librarians, etc. Establishment of a code of practice and organisation of dissemination seminars (2003-2004). Preparation of exhibitions and cultural routes (2002-2004) on “rituals and festivals: forms of cultural and religious expression in Europe” to promote awareness of cultures and religions by highlighting differences and similarities between the various forms of cultural/religious expression – Definition of a methodology to promote understanding between different communities (2003/2004). Contacts Further information concerning the “Intercultural Dialogue and Conflict Prevention” project can be obtained by contacting: Ms Simone BERNHARDT | ||