Intercultural Dialogue and Conflict Prevention Project - Europe
The Cultural Policy and Action Department of the Council of Europe (COE) has launched a pan-European cultural cooperation project to prevent, analyse, and heal conflicts through cultural action. Cooperation between towns and regions will be set up in its 45 member states and in the wider context of the Mediterranean. Key components of this collaboration will involve establishing networks, developing the European dimension of cultural projects, and setting up flagship initiatives. The overall project aim is to promote intercultural and inter-religious dialogue and mutual respect and understanding between the different communities and to prevent conflicts through cultural policies and cultural action.
Communication Strategies
The project involves research activities, analysis of good practice, and support for cultural action. To begin, participants are working in face-to-face gatherings to develop concepts and establish standards related to a pan-European cultural cooperation strategy for preventing conflict. In 2002, expert colloquy were organised to provide opportunities for debate among representatives of the various religions; experts in intercultural and inter-religious dialogue, conflict prevention, and human rights; representatives of international organisations, foundations, and NGOs; and cultural players working on intercultural communication projects. To cite another example, a conference brought together artists, scientists, cultural players, and policy-makers concerned with diversity. As a result of this gathering, in October 2003 COE Culture Ministers met in Opatija, Croatia, pledging to safeguard and celebrate the different cultures and traditions of the European continent as a tool for tolerance and mutual understanding. They committed themselves to supporting projects that allowed communities from different cultures to flourish and reach out to others and condemned attempts to assimilate minority cultures into the mainstream. Click here to view the final declaration (the Opatija Declaration).
Also part of this exploratory period is "Shared Cities", a pilot project to explore the impact of cultural projects on the promotion or restoration of intercommunity dialogue in cities that are "shared" (for political, administrative or cultural reasons). It is expected that the results of this analysis will lead to a compendium of good practice and guidelines for policy-makers and civil society. Similary, "Peace Enclaves" involves the observation and analysis of the different situations in which some regions/cities in which South-Eastern Europe stood firm, creating "peace enclaves" that retained a multicultural identity and resisted the breakdown of cultural communities. The case study analysis (2002) will inform a compilation of examples of good practice (2003) and the elaboration of guidelines/strategies for political authorities (2004). Support will be given to the networking of pilot projects, joint cultural events, and exhibitions.
Having worked out these approaches through dialogue, organisers will set up cooperation networks. In 2002, initial cooperation between the Barents Euro-Arctic Region (Scandinavia and the Russian Federation) and South-Eastern Europe helped the latter formulate concrete proposals for interactive cultural cooperation within the region (training, creativity, exchange of information, and support in organising cultural events). In 2003-2004, this project has been extended to other interested regions (e.g., Caucasus, Mediterranean). The various co-operation projects carried out will be linked through an inter-regional route involving traveling exhibitions.
As part of an effort to develop a European identity as a dimension of cultural projects, organisers will work to raise awareness among art historians of the need to present cultural projects in a comprehensive way to ensure respect and even-handed treatment for all cultural communities involved. This project will include expert colloquy on art history and organisation of awareness-raising seminars. In addition, colloquies for historians and archivists are being held to assess access to and reconstitution of archives in former major political entities as a key contribution to the establishment of a European common archival heritage for scientific historical research. Finally, efforts will be made to include the intercultural dimension (role and responsibilities in instituting intercultural dialogue) in training courses provided to mediators, administrators, curators, publishers, and librarians. A code of practice and organisation of dissemination seminars will be produced as a result of this process.
The project also involves flagship initiatives. For example, organisers are preparing exhibitions and cultural routes on "rituals and festivals: forms of cultural and religious expression in Europe" to promote awareness of cultures and religions by highlighting differences and similarities between the various forms of cultural/religious expression. They also plan to define a methodology to promote understanding between different communities.
Also part of this exploratory period is "Shared Cities", a pilot project to explore the impact of cultural projects on the promotion or restoration of intercommunity dialogue in cities that are "shared" (for political, administrative or cultural reasons). It is expected that the results of this analysis will lead to a compendium of good practice and guidelines for policy-makers and civil society. Similary, "Peace Enclaves" involves the observation and analysis of the different situations in which some regions/cities in which South-Eastern Europe stood firm, creating "peace enclaves" that retained a multicultural identity and resisted the breakdown of cultural communities. The case study analysis (2002) will inform a compilation of examples of good practice (2003) and the elaboration of guidelines/strategies for political authorities (2004). Support will be given to the networking of pilot projects, joint cultural events, and exhibitions.
Having worked out these approaches through dialogue, organisers will set up cooperation networks. In 2002, initial cooperation between the Barents Euro-Arctic Region (Scandinavia and the Russian Federation) and South-Eastern Europe helped the latter formulate concrete proposals for interactive cultural cooperation within the region (training, creativity, exchange of information, and support in organising cultural events). In 2003-2004, this project has been extended to other interested regions (e.g., Caucasus, Mediterranean). The various co-operation projects carried out will be linked through an inter-regional route involving traveling exhibitions.
As part of an effort to develop a European identity as a dimension of cultural projects, organisers will work to raise awareness among art historians of the need to present cultural projects in a comprehensive way to ensure respect and even-handed treatment for all cultural communities involved. This project will include expert colloquy on art history and organisation of awareness-raising seminars. In addition, colloquies for historians and archivists are being held to assess access to and reconstitution of archives in former major political entities as a key contribution to the establishment of a European common archival heritage for scientific historical research. Finally, efforts will be made to include the intercultural dimension (role and responsibilities in instituting intercultural dialogue) in training courses provided to mediators, administrators, curators, publishers, and librarians. A code of practice and organisation of dissemination seminars will be produced as a result of this process.
The project also involves flagship initiatives. For example, organisers are preparing exhibitions and cultural routes on "rituals and festivals: forms of cultural and religious expression in Europe" to promote awareness of cultures and religions by highlighting differences and similarities between the various forms of cultural/religious expression. They also plan to define a methodology to promote understanding between different communities.
Development Issues
Conflict, Cultural Development.
Key Points
According to organisers, multicultural environments can be both rich in promise and ridden with conflicts. In Europe, as in other continents, they say, culture is sometimes diverted from its purpose to justify intercultural and inter-religious conflicts affecting both Western and Eastern Europe. While recognising that cultural policy cannot solve all society's problems, COE holds that culture is a means of communication that must be taken into account both in the prevention of conflict situations and in post-conflict social reconciliation.
A political organisation set up in 1949, COE works to promote democracy and human rights continent-wide. It also develops common responses to social, cultural and legal challenges in its 45 member states.
A political organisation set up in 1949, COE works to promote democracy and human rights continent-wide. It also develops common responses to social, cultural and legal challenges in its 45 member states.
Sources
Council of Europe Press Release, dated October 22 2003 - forwarded to the Young People's Media Network on October 25 2003 (click here for the archives); and Project page on COE site.
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