As delivered

Dear Minister,

Chair of the Ministers’ Deputies,

Excellencies,

Ladies and gentlemen,

It is a pleasure to open this annual exchange.

May I begin by saying how much we miss our Ambassador from San Marino, Guido Bellatti Ceccoli, who died last month, and who was one of the key founders of this forum.

I know that it would have pleased him to see today’s meeting attended by representatives of so many faiths, and so many NGOs and organisations.

Ten years ago, in April 2007, San Marino hosted the European Conference on "The religious dimension of intercultural dialogue".

Subsequently, the exchanges were set up as an annual event by the unanimous will of the Committee of Ministers in 2008.

Our aim was to organise regular, structured dialogue between our member states, religious communities and non-believers too.

We have come a long way in a relatively short time.

Traditionally, the European Convention on Human Rights’ locus on faith was in upholding Article 9: the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.

Article 9 is “one of the most vital elements that go to make up the identity of believers and their conception of life, but it is also a precious asset for atheists, agnostics, sceptics and the unconcerned.”

This remains of crucial importance but our 2008 White Paper on Intercultural Dialogue has added a new dimension, coinciding with the start of this annual event.

It not only urged communication between religious communities themselves but also recognised that religious practice is part of human life that cannot, and should not, be outside public authorities’ sphere of interest.  

Public authorities can, and should encourage religious communities and non- believers to come together and reflect upon their common task: contributing to a peaceful democratic society.

That is why we are here today.

These annual exchanges have tackled many hot topics.

Few however are as emotionally charged as today’s subject matter.

Over recent years, literally millions of people have come to Europe, often fleeing from chaos, and always seeking a better life.

European governments have often struggled with formulating an appropriate response – sometimes because of the practical challenges and all too often because of the nationalism, populism and xenophobia that have so often been the politicised response.

The implications of these mass movements of people are profound.

So many people in this room have direct experience of mitigating the problems that arise and striving to ensure that migrants, refugees and their new communities benefit positively from the arrival of new citizens.

Here at the Council of Europe we are playing our part too:

Reminding member states that when anyone sets foot on European shores, they are covered by the European Convention on Human Rights;

Appointing a Special Representative to visit receiving, transition and destination countries and report on challenges, standards and good practice;

And launching earlier this year our special report on protecting children affected by the refugee crisis from sexual exploitation and abuse.

That report identifies the dangers that those children can face, notably those arriving unaccompanied or who go missing after arrival.

It also recommends practical measures that can be put in place to mitigate these problems, including screening children for signs of exploitation, ensuring that their rights are explained to them, making sure that the adults with whom they come into contact are properly trained, equipping reception centres so that they are safe spaces and cause no trauma, and putting in place protocols to reduce the numbers who disappear.

Of course, the increased movement of people ensures the need for an increased focus on integration too.

We will of course help our member states in their efforts to do that, with intercultural dialogue becoming more important than ever.

That is why the Council of Europe puts so much emphasis on inter-communal relations, places such stock in our intercultural cities programme, and pursues initiatives based on our vision of living together as equals.

By talking to one another, working with one another and building links between multiple aspects of our lives we can lift the veil of separation and see one another for all our commonalities and common interests instead.

This holds for religious and non-religious communities in Europe today, and those new citizens who are joining our European family too.

It is also key that this year’s exchanges tackle the contribution of both faith-based and non religious organisations in the reception and integration of migrants.

They have both emerged as major providers of services for displaced persons.

This has been addressed in the discussion paper prepared by the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary General on Migration and Refugees.

I look forward very much to the Special Representative’s presentation and to the discussion that will then take place.

Ladies and gentlemen, this group is truly diverse, but while our spiritual beliefs vary among ourselves, our commitment to key values – dignity, fraternity, justice – do not.

These comprise a golden thread that binds us together in pursuit of justice for all, and there is great beauty in that.

This event is an opportunity to exchange ideas and a practical understanding of the contributions that you are making, and which you might yet make.

The work that you do and the dedication you show are remarkable and you are all very welcome here today.