Council of Europe White Paper on Intercultural Dialogue
The Council of Europe White Paper on Intercultural Dialogue is a Council of Europe document on intercultural dialogue .
As a white paper , this document contains background information and recommendations for action and is intended to be available to political decision-makers and experts as a conceptual framework and guide. The aim is a uniform and long-term policy to promote intercultural dialogue within Europe and with neighboring countries.
The White Paper was drawn up on the basis of a decision made in 2005 as a contribution to the Year of Intercultural Dialogue 2008 and was approved by the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers on May 7, 2008 . It is the result of a consultation process among governments of the Member States, members of national parliaments, local and regional authorities, religious groups, migrant groups, media representatives, non-governmental organizations and other international institutions and experts.
content
The white paper consists of six chapters and two appendices. It underlines the role of intercultural dialogue as the basis for human rights and democracy.
- Chapter 1. Introduction
The first introductory chapter describes the process behind the creation of the White Paper and defines key terms such as intercultural dialogue , multiculturalism (as a distinction to multiculturalism and cultural diversity ), social cohesion and integration .
- Chapter 2. Embrace cultural diversity
Here, cultural diversity is examined more closely and viewed in terms of the values and instruments of the Council of Europe. In addition, the risks of a refusal of intercultural dialogue are shown.
- Chapter 3. Framework
The intercultural dialogue is defined here as “a process of open and respectful exchange of views between individuals and groups of different ethnic, cultural, religious and linguistic origins and traditions in a spirit of mutual understanding and respect.” Furthermore, this deals with the formation of identity in one multicultural environment, with concepts of cultural diversity, as well as with the prerequisites for intercultural dialogue, which are described as follows: (1.) human rights , democracy and the rule of law , (2.) equality and mutual respect, (3.) gender equality and (4.) highlighted the elimination of linguistic, structural and political barriers. The religious dimension and the need for interreligious dialogue are also emphasized.
- Chapter 4. Five political action concepts to promote intercultural dialogue
Five dimensions of intercultural dialogue are highlighted: the intercultural dialogue in a democratic way of dealing with cultural diversity, democratic citizenship and participation, learning and teaching of intercultural skills , spaces accessible to all for intercultural dialogue ("streets, markets and shops, houses, kindergartens, Schools and universities, socio-cultural centers, youth clubs, churches, synagogues and mosques, meeting rooms in companies and at work, museums, libraries and other leisure facilities or also virtual spaces such as media ”) as well as implementation in international relations.
- Chapter 5. General policy recommendations and guidelines for future action: shared responsibility of key stakeholders
The aspects shown in the previous chapter are specified here.
- Chapter 6. The way forward
This short chapter concludes that “intercultural dialogue is indispensable for reshaping a social and cultural model in a rapidly changing Europe, so that each individual living in societies with different cultures can exercise their human rights and fundamental freedoms. [...] Learning how to live together in a context of increasing cultural diversity while respecting human rights and fundamental freedoms has become one of the main requirements of our time and will remain so for many years to come. "
Web links
- White paper on the intercultural dialogue "Living together as equals in dignity" (German translation by the Foreign Office, published in 2009 in coordination with the Council of Europe)
- The concept of “intercultural dialogue” at the Council of Europe, the European Union and UNESCO: an inventory . Jürgen Endres, Department of Religious Studies, University of Lucerne, SER 2010 ( PDF )
Individual evidence
- ↑ Living Together as Equals in Dignity - Live together with equal rights. (No longer available online.) Unesco, September 2008, archived from the original on 23 August 2016 ; accessed on June 4, 2016 . Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
- ↑ White Paper on Intercultural Dialogue, Chapter 3. Framework Concept.
- ↑ White Paper on Intercultural Dialogue, Chapter 4. Five political action concepts for promoting intercultural dialogue.
- ↑ White Book on Intercultural Dialogue, Chapter 6. The way into the future.
