The Culture Committee's call for dialogue between religions to be explicitly included in the broad aims of Intercultural Dialogue Year follows a proposal to this effect by rapporteur Erna HENNICOT-SCHOEPGES (EPP-ED, LU). MEPs in the committee are keen to bring intercultural dialogue into the mainstream of Community policies. They back the Commission's idea of raising the profile of all EU measures related to intercultural dialogue and making them more consistent. They say the campaign should also highlight the contribution of different cultures to Europe's heritage and lifestyles as well as helping promote intercultural dialogue in schools.
Intercultural dialogue already occupies an important place in many Community policies (e.g. education, youth, anti-racism, asylum policy) as well as in the EU's external relations. Key aims are the promotion of cultural diversity and active citizenship. The Commission's proposal for 2008 to be European Year of Intercultural Dialogue should be seen against this background.
Prize and intercultural forum
Another suggestion by MEPs in the committee is for a prize for intercultural dialogue to be awarded to a youth project carried out as part of Community programmes such as Socrates, Youth and Culture.
Lastly, the Culture Committee would like European Year of Intercultural Dialogue to conclude with an intercultural forum at the European Parliament bringing together representatives of civil society and the political and religious world.
Erna HENNICOT-SCHOEPGES (EPP-ED, LU)
Rapporteur
For more info:
A6-0168/2006 European year of intercultural dialogue 2008: respect and promote cultural diversity in Europe and develop an active European citizenship
Procedure : Codecision (1st reading)
Debate : 31.05.2006