Jorge Sampaio

Draft Press Release

South East European countries put intercultural cooperation first

NEW YORK, December 10th 2010 – In a unique demonstration of commitment at the highest level to promote further good neighbourly relations and to enhance regional cooperation aimed at strengthening bridges between people and communities by promoting intercultural dialogue, countries of South Eastern Europe will come together under the banner of the UN Alliance of Civilizations to agree on a Regional Strategy on Intercultural Dialogue. Ministers of Foreign Affairs from thirteen countries in the region, along with representatives of Spain, Turkey, Switzerland, Sweden (as EU Presidency) and Brazil (that will host the next annual Forum), will meet on Monday, December 14th, in Sarajevo, to agree on a framework to implement a range of concrete actions in the field of education, media and youth aimed at fostering intercultural understanding in the region.
This event will bring together a unique combination of partners: Governments, International Organizations (among them UNESCO, the International Organization for Migration, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Council of Europe, the Regional Cooperation Council and the European Union) and a wide range of civil society organizations will be working hand in hand, developing a comprehensive approach to building inclusive societies, based on democratic governance of cultural diversity.
The Sarajevo meeting will set the tone for enhanced regional cooperation focusing on the key areas of work of the UN Alliance of Civilizations, in particular youth, education and media. The joint strategy that will emerge from the meeting will focus on the need to increase education opportunities, providing youth people with the skills and knowledge they need to navigate an increasingly intercultural world. It will draw on the ideas and energy of young people, empowering them to develop their own cross-cultural initiatives. This joint strategy will also build on the strength of media and the power it has to shape attitudes and increase people-to-people communication through online networks. Finally, it will address the challenges of migration and will strengthen the role of women in creating opportunities for cross-cultural cooperation.
The Sarajevo meeting will also be an opportunity for countries in the region to strengthen their commitment to developing National Plans for Intercultural Dialogue, increase regional exchanges on good practices in promoting intercultural understanding, and promote the participation of a broad range of partners to enhance regional cooperation, including local governments, cities, civil society organizations, the corporate sector, universities, faith-based organizations, youth and the media.
Ahead of the Sarajevo Meeting, the High Representative for the UN Alliance of Civilizations, President Jorge Sampaio, said: “This Regional Strategy is a step forward in achieving the Alliance’s goals. Let’s now work to finalize the Plan of Action and make things move on the ground”

Note to Editors
The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations was established in 2005 at the initiative of Spain and Turkey, under the aegis of the United Nations. It seeks to build trust and understanding across cultures and communities worldwide. Working with its global network of government partners, the Alliance promotes policies and initiatives aimed at improving relations between diverse cultural groups. It also works at grassroots level, promoting innovative projects in education, youth, media and migration in order to build trust, reconciliation and mutual respect among diverse communities.

Programme of the Conference 
Photo opportunity and press conference: 14th December, at 12hoo at the Building of the Parliamentary of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hall for press conference (2nd floor)
To attend the Conference, please register: tp.obactennull@snitramailerua
For media enquiries, please contact Ms Florence Laufer at 001-917-238-1419