Alliance of Civilizations

Dates: October 30th, 2007
Place: Barcelona
Organizes: European Institute of the Mediterranean (IEMed) in collaboration with the support of the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation.

INTRODUCTION

In the framework of the Alliance of Civilizations, the dialogue with Islam has become the centre point of key debates for Europe and the Mediterranean region as a whole. The need has emerged for effective policies regarding major challenges for the political governance of the region, both in the field of political interlocutors and democracy and the management of the religious factor and the cultural differential on the European borders.

The seminar seeks to deal with these issues through key questions: How can principles be translated into policy actions? What does winning hearts and minds imply? How can the participation of non-violent Islamic political parties in the democratic game be promoted? What is the role of a European Islam?

PROGRAMME



9 am Opening session

Welcome remarks
Senén Florensa, Director General, European Institute of the Mediterranean, Spain
Bernardino León, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Spain (download the speech)

9.45 am First session
"The Alliance of Civilizations: A New Approach to Intercultural Dialogue"

Chair: Rafael Dezcallar, Director General of Foreign Policy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Spain

Iqbal Riza, Special Advisor for the UNSG, Alliance of Civilizations (download the speech)
Muqtedar Khan, Professor, University of Delaware; Non-resident Fellow, Saban Center for Middle East Policy, Brookings Institute, Washington, United States

Comments: Joumana Haddad, journalist and editor, Al Nahar, Lebanon

12 noon Second session
"Encouraging Democracy in the Muslim World: Internal and External Factors"

Chair: Pierre Schori, Director General, FRIDE, Spain

Mensur Arkgün, Director, TESEV, Turkey
Driss El Yazami, Secretary General, International Federation of Human Rights Leagues

Comments: Udo Steinbach, Director, Institute of Middle East Studies, German Institute of Global and Area Studies, Hamburg, Germany

4 pm Third session
"Identity Politics in Europe: Cultural Diversity and Shared Values"

Chair: Barbara John, Coordinator for Language Training for Migrants, Ministry of Education, Berlin, Germany

Paul Scheffer, Professor, Planning and International Development Studies, Department of Human Geography, Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Jean-Pierre Filiu, Professor, Political Science (Middle East Chair), Paris, France
Salma Yaqoob, Member of the Respect Party and Councillor at Birmingham City Council, United Kingdom

Comments: Siham Andalouci, Collectif des musulmans de France
Randa Achmawi, journalist, Al Ahram, Egypt

6 pm Closing session