Ansamed

The Mediterranean, its challenges, its sometimes dramatic problems, as shown by the recent events in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya: journalists, experts, writers from several Euro-Mediterranean countries, have debated these topics in Rome during the meeting 'The Mediterranean network, the challenge of the future' organised by Ansa. With a point of view that is apparently shared by all: in the Mediterranean there is the need for more communication, more trade, more information, as driving forces behind development and also for stability.

The meeting, in the context of activities carried out by ANSAmed, Ansa's multilanguage news report for the Mediterranean, was opened by the president of the agency, Giulio Anselmi, who thus summed up the crucial role of information: ''Our job is to inform to help people to understand, to predict, not only the world of politics but also the world of business''.

An area, that of the Mediterranean, where, according to the spokesperson of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maurizio Massari, the time has come to move on ''from the major plans and political and bureaucratic structures'' to the ''Mediterranean of tangible projects'', shifting resources, bringing in local players and exploiting the potential of the region's human assets. And it is in this vision, under the banner of inclusion and effectiveness, that Italy intends to play a ''leading role for stability in the area'', while at the same time confirming itself as ''sponsor of the Countries of the region with the Euro-Atlantic institutions''.

The roundtable named 'The Mediterranean between development and conflicts: and tomorrow', moderated by ANSA director Luigi Contu, opened with a speech by Moroccan author Tahar Ben Jelloun, who believes that Europe must speak ''the language of values'' with the south shore of the Mediterranean, the only way to have an ''objective'' attitude towards the Arab world. Ben Jelloun reported the ''desperation'' of the peoples of the south shore, rich Countries where the people get handed down nothing, and invited Europe to forsake ''a few contracts'' to talk about human rights. ''Not only Italy, but also Spain and France had to follow the distressing, ridiculous, shameful folklorist spectacle that is imposed every time that a clownish leader moves abroad'' insisted Ben Jelloun, making reference to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.

The participants, who represented Countries including Qatar, Albania, Egypt, Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan and many others, all pointed out how the media, during the age of internet and social networks, can play a decisive role in talks between the North and South shores, avoiding stereotypes and conflict, and spreading awareness about fundamental rights that must be disseminated in compliance with the respective cultures.

The meeting then continued with a workshop for the media, coordinated by Stefano Polli, head of Ansa's international area, who worked in particular on the topic of the media and their role in cultural exchanges, and the other workshop 'Sea and culture, Mediterranean tourism growth drivers', coordinated by Ansa's Carlo Gambalonga. Again, from the various points of view of the different sectors of competence and of the Countries, it was emphasised how on both the shores of the Mediterranean there is a lack of communication, which must be worked out in order to generate development and understanding.