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Civil Society Forum: Living Together, Combining diversity and freedom in 21st-century Europe, Strasbourg, 13 and 14 November 2011

Organised by the Conference of International Non-Governmental Organisations (INGOs) with the support of the Council of Europe and a financial contribution from INGO-Service, the Forum builds on the outcome of the Istanbul NGO Forum "New multicultural challenges: how can NGOs play their part" held in March 2011.

Aims of the Forum

● to give a civil society dimension to the implementation of the “White Paper on Intercultural Dialogue” and to the recommendations of the report of the Group of Eminent Persons on “Living together: Combining diversity and freedom in 21st-century Europe” by identifying new approaches to inclusive multicultural societies in Europe;
● to highlight the new multicultural challenges facing European societies and identify best practice in NGO work aiming at mastering diversity and making it a benefit for society;
● to offer a framework for sharing experience among NGOs and for dialogue between representatives of civil society and representatives of governments, parliaments and local and regional authorities;
● to launch the Toolkit for the practice of Intercultural Dialogue;
● to pursue co-operation with civil society from the Southern rim of the Mediterranean.

Participants

The forum brought together European civil society representatives promoting “Living together” through their work. In the light of the push towards democracy in the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean region, civil society representatives from these countries were also invited. The debate was widened to encompass their aspirations and experiences in living together in multicultural societies. Representatives of governments, parliaments and local and regional authorities of different European countries also participated in a political dialogue with participants.
● List of participants