Secretary General Thorbjorn Jagland welcomed the participation of non governmental organisations (NGO) from some 40 countries – including North African nations in the midst of the Arab Spring – on how to make the Council of Europe's Living Together report reality. Over the two day gathering, participants compared efforts to promote diversity and freedom in different countries, although they lamented budget cuts induced by the worsening Euro-crisis and noted examples of increasing discrimination and the rise of the right wing. Mr. Jagland said "civil society groups are among the key players in turning the debate into concrete action."

Speech
More information on the event