A common theme emerged from the online debate "The key role of partnership in intercultural dialogue", that of partnerships based on intercultural dialogue as central to a safe and sustainable future in the Euro-Mediterranean area. The debate was held on Tuesday as the 7th and final public dialogue in the Virtual Marathon for Dialogue in the EuroMed Region sponsored by the Anna Lindh Foundation (ALF), with dozens of events that have taken place since May 19. The virtual dialogue, moderated by Aissam Benaissa of Connect NordAfrika, included the participation of ambassador Haifa Abu Ghazala, assistant secretary general of the Arab League, Eleonora Insalaco of ALF, Samir Anouti of the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), Ingrid Danckaerts, president of the French NGO CCIVS, Fatima Zahra Outaiss, facilitator of debate and dialogue of Morocco, and Anis Boufrikha, head of ALF's Tunisian network. During the event, a video message was shown from Themis Christophidou, general director for education, youth, sport and culture of the European Commission, in which he emphasised "the importance of young people's involvement" in dialogue for building the region's future. The international events confirmed that "a common area of security exists around the Mediterranean" and "this highlights the need for dialogue and to bring our opinions closer together to overcome extremism and achieve a better future" said Haifa Abu Ghazala in her speech. "The appeal to all regional and international organisations and civil society is to redouble their efforts in promoting dialogue and respect, and to encourage young people to support cultural pluralism," she said. Samir Anouti illustrated some concrete examples of the central role of partnerships for dialogue in the EuroMed region, including the Youth Forum in the Arab Region, which "has quickly become a young people's space for the neighbourhood area in the three directions" of the Mediterranean, and the UN-sponsored Issue-Based Coalition on Adolescent and Youth to "implement interventions to face the needs of adolescents and young people". "When partnerships are built, it is very important to reach shared understanding and shared goals" and "solid partnerships take time" said Ingrid Danckaerts, recalling the work of CCIVS to promote international volunteerism with the goal of "building bridges" among people from different backgrounds. "Uniting their efforts, young people are creating partnerships that promote intercultural dialogue, and this dialogue creates a common understanding that eliminates the challenges that threaten many communities, in particular racism, xenophobia, and incitement to hate," said Fatima Zahra Outaiss. In his speech, Anis Boufrikha put the emphasis on the key role that interculturalism for the future of the region. "This principle is essential; without it we can't survive in this global village," he said. "We can't live in isolation in our communities. We have to take others into account, with partnerships that fully accept others," he said. "The virtual marathon is an example of partnership in and of itself," said Eleonora Insalaco, at the conclusion of the debate. "Partnership means working together" and "that is how social transformation takes place", she said. (ANSAmed).
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Pomilio Blumm