Brussels debate on Intercultural dialogue 3 : "New horizons: active citizenship to bridge inter-religious divides"

Panel of the third Brussels DebateShada Islam, journalist and Senior Programme Executive at the EPC, introduced the debate saying that as a consequence of globalization, immigration and enlargement, European Union now encompasses different cultures and religious beliefs, which can be a unifying but also a dividing aspect, as some recent episodes showed.

Ján Figel', European Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture and Youth, said that, as religion is indeed part of education and life of many European citizens, inter-religious dialogue must be encouraged as a horizontal, concrete and constant aspect of EU actions and policies. He also stated that European Commission is more and more engaged in discussion between different religious communities, as it can contribute to various topics, and is now very active in avoiding the raise of fanaticisms. He finally underlined that education and activities promoting active citizenship play a fundamental role in building a real European multi-cultural and multi-faith society.

Mutual knowledge and dialogue are necessary but must be accompanied by actions and concrete engagements, stressed Imam Dr. Abduljalil Sajid, chairman of the Muslim Council for Religious and Racial Harmony UK. He added that religious communities must cooperate to fight against discrimination and engage themselves in a dialogue based on honest conversation and peaceful confrontation. Imam Sajid finally said that every person in Europe – no matter of which faith – has to contribute to build a better and inter-cultural society and that EU as a whole has to promote more inclusion and equal opportunities.

According to Nadine Iarchy, European Vice-chair of the International Council of Jewish Women, the inter-cultural and inter-religious dialogue is based on the concepts of trust and respect. She stated that there is still a long way before people will really respect each other. Inter-religious dialogue must not be promoted only at a high and political level – she believes in the need and the importance of involving children, as they will live in a more and more multi-cultural and multi-faith society.

The debate was closed by Mario Mauro, Vice-president of the European Parliament, who said that dialogue's aim is not only to talk and understand each other but also to lead to cooperation, cohabitation, tolerance and peace. He stressed the need of education policies supporting inter-cultural dialogue, mutual understanding, respect, knowledge of history and of different religions.

The Brussels debates are important milestones in the programme of the Year. The first two covered migration and inter-cultural aspects in culture; the next one, on the 4th of June, will deal with inter-cultural relations at the workplace.


Downloads:

* Profiles of the European Policy Centre (EPC)

* "New horizons: active citizenship to bridge inter-religious divides" : the concept paper of the third Brussels Debate

* "New horizons: active citizenship to bridge inter-religious divides": the wrap-up paper of the third Brussels Debate


- The biographies of the keynote speakers can be downloaded here.

- Visit the forum here!

- Here you find more pictures from the third Brussels Debate.

- Video