Conflict resolution and intercultural dialogue: interviews

"We should stop believing that others have to be like us" with Ivano Spano, Sociologist, University of Padova (Italy) (17.11.2004)
The intercultural forum in Troina has studied and exemplified the processes whereby clashes between cultures can be replaced by a respectful dialogue, the Italian psychanalyst Ivano Spano concludes from this encounter.

''Europe’s strength is its dialogue capability'' with Vjeran Katunaric, a lecturer in sociology at Zagreb University (12.11.2004)
The Council of Europe has been working for over three years on the concept of ''intercultural dialogue'' as a means of heading off inter-community conflicts. Having studied the hindrances to dialogue as well as the prevailing stereotypes and prejudices, it is now looking for ways to broaden dialogue among all cultures, and that includes Europe’s dialogue with the rest of the world. Vjeran Katunaric, a lecturer in sociology at Zagreb University, is taking part to the 2nd Council of Europe intercultural forum due to open on Monday 15 November in Troina, Sicily. He warns that intercultural dialogue commands the place and the role of Europe in the world to come.

“Learning to live with our differences” with Jean-Fred Bourquin, Rapporteur General of the first Intercultural Forum in Sarajevo (13.12.2003)
While it is illusory to imagine peoples that have long been torn by hatred and conflict suddenly engaging in a fond embrace, mutual discovery of each other's culture is vital for restoring dialogue and mutual respect, says Jean-Fred Bourquin, former Director of the European Centre for Culture in Geneva, Rapporteur General of the first Intercultural Forum in Sarajevo.

Intercultural education at school - the key to future attitudes with Petros Efthymiou, Greek Minister of Education and Religious Affairs (13.11.2003)
According to the Greek Minister of Education and Religious Affairs, Petros Efthymiou, we must plan for and shape the multicultural society which is developing in every country of Europe, and education policy is pivotal to all the others. He was speaking at the Standing Conference of European Ministers of Education, held in Athens from 10 to 12 November 2003 on the theme of "Intercultural education: managing diversity, strengthening democracy".

’’Education is the first requirement for intercultural dialogue!'' with Gunter Mulack, Ambassador , responsible for "Dialogue with the Muslim world" in the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs (21.10.2003)
While encouraging cultural exchanges with the foreign communities living on its soil, Germany has introduced specific programmes of cultural co-operation with the Arab countries. In both areas, education and training are emphasised before all else, explains Ambassador Gunter Mulack, responsible for "Dialogue with the Muslim world" in the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs. For example : Many Germans today are frightened of Islam, and we need to take that fear seriously, while trying to get rid of it and help our two cultures to make contact.

«Le dialogue entre cultures est la meilleure arme contre le fondamentalisme» avec Antun Vujic, ministre croate de la culture (21.10.2003)
Forte de son expérience historique, la Croatie souhaite que les liens culturels qu'elle a tissés avec ses voisins puissent aider d' autres régions du monde à apaiser leurs conflits, explique le ministre croate de la culture, Antun Vujic.
‘’La Croatie organise des expositions et des spectacles en Serbie, et les Serbes font de même chez nous’’. Sur les ministres de la culture : ‘’Au dela des mesures politiques, nous sommes vraiment responsables de l'identité culturelle des pays que nous représentons, mais aussi de celle de toute l'Europe’’.[French version only]

Dialogue serving intercultural and inter-religious communication with Bruno Etienne, Political Science Professor at the Aix-Marseille University
‘’We have to agree on what we mean by dialogue and by religious. Dialogue is where two logics meet and possibly clash on fundamental issues while agreeing on their disagreements’’. ‘’ A meeting on inter-religious dialogue was still inconceivable at the beginning of the 1990s. This is a major step forward, although I am critical of the form the dialogue currently takes.’’

Dialogue serving intercultural and inter-religious communication with Vjeran Katunaric, Professor of Sociology PhD, University of Zagreb (09.10.2004)
‘’ I do not believe in the existence of a conflict between religions and nations. Instead, I believe that we can talk about how some specific groups or institutions use religions or ethnic groups’’.

"Breaking down the identities that cause conflicts" with Pr Mohammed Arkoun, Professor Mohammed Arkoun, emeritus professor of the history of Islamic thought at the University of Paris III (20.09.2001)
Speaking at the colloquy in Strasbourg, Professor Mohammed Arkoun, emeritus professor of the history of Islamic thought at the University of Paris III, argues for "deconstruction" of the concepts of identity which feed confrontation between the world's great religions, and assigns Europe a historic role in achieving this aim.