CULTURE DIALOGUE: EU NEEDS TO TEACH COEXISTENCE AT SCHOOL
(ANSAmed) - BRUSSELS, MAY 16 - In order to build up a European
society where Muslims, Jews and Christians can live together in
harmony we must act on the schools and on the children: this is
the "recipe" which the EU must apply, according to what has
emerged from the public debate organised by the EU Commission
under the initiatives of the European Year of intercultural
dialogue. "We must contribute to the conciliation by focusing
on education," Education and Culture Commissioner Jan Figel
said, explaining that he has just signed an agreement which
multiplies by four the EU contribution for the Erasmus Mundus
programme, which allows the students of the southern coast of
the Mediterranean to study in Europe.
According to the leader of the Muslim Council in the UK,
Abduljalil Sajid, it is necessary that the institutions try to
establish a dialogue with the religious communities, "because
the churches are always a resource: when there is a crisis, the
religious communities are always ready to help without asking
for anything in return," he said in a speech at the conference.
Mario Mauro, vice-president of the European Parliament, also
agreed with the work to be done in the schools: "We must
promote education policies which also include religion and help
to understand the differences, because the future of Europe
depends on how we will integrate". (ANSAmed).
2008-05-16 09:39