Dear Members, Friends and Supporters of the Euro-Mediterranean Center for Cross Cultural Dialogue;
Dear Colleagues, working in the field of Cross Cultural Dialogue;
Dear EuroMed Optimists;
The Mediterranean basin has always been one of the most politically and strategically important regions in the world. The Region is perceived not only as the “Cradle of Civilizations” but also as problematic region, catalyzing the so-called “Clash of Civilizations“, by been seen to encompass two greatly diverse worlds in terms of politics, economics and cultures.
Until September 11, tackling issues of cultural diversity was not high in the political agendas of both European and South Mediterranean countries. The resulting “War on terrorism” has produced depressing repercussions on cross-cultural dialogue between the two shores of the Mediterranean.
According to the experts, not only the global terrorism, but also, some approaches to combat it, are deliberately fueled with cultural differences. Those all reinforce the so-called “Clash of Civilizations“, which recently became wider perceived as “Clash of Religions“. In the Euro-Mediterranean Center for Cross-Cultural Dialogue however, we`d rather prefer to talk about the “clash” as about a “Clash of Ignorance”, following the ideas of Eduard Said and believing that the “Clash” can be always prevented by learning about each other in equal communication and understanding “The Other” in fair peaceful dialogue.
We share the believe that the ultimate goal of cultural cooperation is not to change how people live, but to use dialogue and collaborative projects to help different peoples understand each other. Mutual comprehension and dialogue are essential for peaceful coexistence and joint development.
Euro-Mediterranean Center for Cross Cultural Dialogue puts a specific stress on the Cross cultural dialogue on Human rights in the Mediterranean Region.
During the past few years, we have been witnessing a large debate on the universality and indivisibility of human rights that have been questioned by various cultures, individuals and groups across the Mediterranean. We are seriously concerned about the growing trends to impose a culturally relativist approach to human rights, an approach which questions the universality of those rights and argues that cultures can be good enough excuse to take away some human rights from specific individuals and groups.
We believe that we need to address, explore and shed light on the diversity of fundamental views and debates surrounding the nexus between human rights, cultural dialogues and religion politics in both European and South-Mediterranean communities.
Euro-Mediterranean Center for Cross Cultural Dialogue mobilizes the efforts of its members, friends and supporters to promote universal respect human rights and contribute to the recognition that all human rights are equally important and that they should be enjoyed by all humans without distinction of any kind.
Euro-Mediterranean Center for Cross Cultural Dialogue sees the Cross Cultural Dialogue as a wide and in-depth process, involving both geographical and human dimensions and looking for a positive change via dialogical communication between individuals and communities.
We perceive the Cross Cultural Dialogue as a Dialogue about the differences, not only about our commonalities. Cross Cultural Dialogue is challenged by the mainstream trend to focus on what cultures and religions have in common, rather than what are the differences, how to understand and accept the other as is and how to manage diversity. Related to this point is the prevailing either ignorance or intolerance about sensitive is-sues linked to religions and others’ sacred beliefs, which leads to rendering many forms of intercultural dialogue in a rather superficial manner.
The Euro-Mediterranean Center for Cross Cultural Dialogue seeks to rediscover the Mediterranean’s creativity and wisdom for a peaceful, free, democratic, wealth creating societies whose people understand and respect each other. Our programmes such as EuroMed Peace Academy, EuroMed Human Rights Education Laboratory, Euro-Med Art Space, EuroMed Youth Centers for Non Formal Education and Creativity, EuroMed Initiative for Gender Equality, EuroMed Volunteering Centers and Euro-Med Migration Platform offer clear indications of our joint aspirations and efforts in this area. They offer support to our youth to overcome stereotypes and misunderstandings in efforts to build a better, more just and safer Euro-Mediterranean Region.
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