Intercultural dialogue is a fundamental tool to support the cooperation process against climate change in the Mediterranean region and to understand and find solutions to regional challenges such as development, security, and migration.
This was the consensus reached during the online event entitled "How Intercultural Dialogue Could Address Climate Change?", held June 2 by the Anna Lindh Foundation as part of a virtual marathon for dialogue in the EuroMed region that began on May 19 with dozens of events only and which will run through June 29.
Taking part in the event were Eleonora Insalaco from the Anna Lindh Foundation, Sergi Nuss from the University of Girona, Gilda Catalano from the University of Calabria, Ahmed Yassin from the Egyptian Organization Banlastic, Marco Musso from the non-profit organization ComeUnaMarea, Raniah Alsayed from the Egyptian NGO Alwan wa Awtar, and Sahar Mahfouz from the Makassed Abs Cambridge International School in Lebanon.
The meeting was moderated by Aissam Benaissa from Connect NordAfrika.
Insalaco presented a number of results from studies conducted by the Anna Lindh Foundation that show that citizens of the Mediterranean region were interested in environmental issues and noted that people had grown more sensitive to environmental issues as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic since it has underscored how interconnected the region is.
Yassin stressed that inclusion is fundamental for addressing the issue.
Participants noted during the event that the Mediterranean is one of the areas of the world worst hit by environmental degradation and that implementation of the Agenda 2030 for sustainable development, the Paris Accords and other international agreements is essential to prevent further shocks.
Europe's Green Deal, it was mentioned, is also an opportunity for cooperation on sustainable development, job creation and migration.
Catalano noted that climate change highlights geographical inequalities and that it is necessary to note that populations forced to migrate are those that have received fewer benefits from the region's economic growth as a starting point to improving dialogue between countries in the region. Grassroots involvement and education were also noted during the talks as key to improving respect for the environment.
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Pomilio Blumm