Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on the Proposal for a Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue (2008)  COM(2005) 467 final — 2005/0203 (COD)
Date: 2006-04-20
Institutions: European Economic and Social Committee
Subjects: ESC opinion, European cultural event, cultural pluralism, cultural policy

C 185/42

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

8.8.2006

Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on the Proposal for a Decision of the
European Parliament and of the Council concerning the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue
(2008)

COM(2005) 467 final — 2005/0203 (COD)

(2006/C 185/09)

On 16 November 2005 the Council decided to consult the European Economic and Social Committee,
under Article 262 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, on the abovementioned proposal

The Section for Employment, Social Affairs and Citizenship which was responsible for preparing the
Committee's work on the subject, adopted its opinion on 20 March 2006. The rapporteur was Ms Cser.

At its 426th plenary session held on 20 and 21 April 2006 (meeting of 20 April 2006), the European
Economic and Social Committee adopted the following opinion by 79 votes to 39, with 10 abstentions.

1. Gist of the proposal for a decision

The European Commission has submitted a proposal for a
Decision of
the Council
the European Parliament and of
concerning the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue (2008)
(COM(2005) 467 final).

The proposal ties in with the strategy pursued by the European
Parliament, the Council and the Commission, which, through
the introduction of the European Year, makes awareness and
acceptance of human rights a Community-level issue in order
to achieve the main objectives of
the joint strategy, and
promotes national, regional and local cooperation, thus under-
pinning European citizenship.

Intercultural dialogue must be seen as an instrument to facili-
tate the implementation of a series of strategic priorities for the
Union. In addition to national, regional and local cooperation,
there is support for dialogue between various social, economic
and occupational groups and individuals throughout the EU
and — in keeping with the neighbourhood policy — in third
countries.

1.1 The general objectives of the proposal

The general objectives are as follows:

for
common values in the European Union of respect
human dignity,
liberty, equality, non-discrimination, soli-
darity, the principles of democracy and the rule of law as
including the rights of
well as respect for human rights,
persons belonging to minorities.

1.2 The specific objectives of the proposal

The intercultural dialogue envisaged by the proposal contri-
butes to the following specific objectives:

— to raise the profile of all Community programmes and

actions contributing to intercultural dialogue;

— to highlight the contribution of different cultures to our
heritage and ways of life; to raise the awareness of Euro-
pean citizens and all those living in the European Union,
particularly young people, of the importance of seeking the
means to affirm through intercultural dialogue an active
European citizenship which is open to the world, respectful
of cultural diversity and based on the common values in
the European Union;

— to contribute to innovation and to the horizontal and trans-
sectoral dimension of the initiatives aiming at promoting
intercultural dialogue, in particular to young people.

— to promote intercultural dialogue as an instrument enabling
European citizens and all
those living permanently or
temporarily in the European Union to obtain knowledge,
qualifications and aptitudes which can help them to adapt
to a more open but also more complex environment, and
to overcome any difficulties in order to benefit from the
opportunities provided by a pluralistic and dynamic society
in Europe and all over the world;

2. General observations

The EESC is pleased to note that the proposal for a deci-
2.1
sion includes not only citizens of
the European Union as
defined in Article 17 of the EC Treaty, but any individual living
permanently or temporarily in the European Union in the
notion of ‘active European citizenship’.

— to raise the awareness of European citizens and all those
living in the European Union of the importance of devel-
oping active European citizenship which is open to the
world, respectful of cultural diversity and based on the

The EESC welcomes the fact that the proposal for a deci-
2.2
sion is intended to strengthen cooperation with countries
outside the borders of the European Union through intercul-
tural dialogue.

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2.3
The EESC is pleased to note that intercultural dialogue is
considered to be an instrument for cooperation to strengthen
stability and democracy, not only within the Union but also,
through partnership, beyond its borders.

3. Detailed comments

the various

The EESC is pleased to note that the proposal for a deci-
2.4
sion promotes or strengthens coordination and harmonisation
of measures and programmes to implement joint strategies of
the European institutions, given that the activities and coopera-
institutions at Community, national,
tion of
regional and local levels lack uniformity and consistency, and
their outcomes and effectiveness are uneven, due to
that
cultural differences.
If European cultures really engaged in
continuous dialogue with each other, enabling them to express
their own identities, this might help to enhance and mobilise
the operation, outcomes and effectiveness of various European,
national, regional and local institutions.

equal opportunities

The EESC is pleased to note that, thanks to education,
2.5
innovation,
all, Community-level
support for intercultural dialogue and coordination of such
is
dialogue at national
becoming something that individuals can not only recognise
but also use and experience.

level, European cultural heritage

for

2.6
The EESC is pleased to note that cooperation between
the Member States during the year of intercultural dialogue will
therefore
facilitate implementation of Community goals.
supports designating 2008 as the European Year of intercul-
tural dialogue.

It

the year of

The EESC proposes

2.7
intercultural
that
dialogue should be used to ensure that differences, inequalities,
contradictions and conflicts which are apparently due to
economic, social, environmental and political causes should not
only be seen in ethnic or cultural terms; rather, by becoming
familiar with and accepting the diversity of our cultures and
using intercultural dialogue as an instrument we should avoid
conflicts by identifying the causes underpinning them.

3.1
Thanks to its structure as a consultative body to the
European Parliament, the Council and the Commission, the
EESC has forged special links between European cultures. Its
members are genuine Europeans, given that they respect and
give balanced consideration to the interests of
the various
social partners and the values of each other's cultures in the
drafting of opinions, and reach consensus on opinions bene-
fiting European citizens (2).

Through active cooperation and activity not only at
3.2
Community level but also at national, regional and local levels,
EESC members embody intercultural dialogue, while promoting
it and putting it into practice in civil society.

The EESC would point out to the European Parliament,
3.3
the Council and the Commission that
the Commission's
proposal does not explicitly refer to respect for the cultures and
diversities of third countries, given that in defining its objec-
tives it refers to Article 151 of the Treaty establishing the Euro-
pean Community (Member States' obligation of mutual
respect). Although any kind of legislative interference by the
European Union must be ruled out, the European Commission
and other institutions must call on the Member States to
support respect for cultural diversity and to promote peaceful
dialogue between the various cultures.

3.4
Unfortunately, tensions arising from conflicts between
various cultures and religions are increasingly becoming a
feature of our age; the existence of such tensions raises the
question of whether the European Union needs to enshrine
for different cultures in the Treaties. These
mutual respect
conflicts and tensions highlight
the need for the European
Union to set itself the consistent objective of mutual respect for
the various cultures.
intercultural
conflict and of crisis for European identity, support for Euro-
pean cultural values could be seen as a sign of optimism and
confidence in the future of the European Union. The European
Union should therefore be involved in developing cultural and
religious dialogue with other nations,
example by
promoting cultural tourism (3).

In the current period of

for

2.8
To this end, and in line with our opinion and additional
opinion on the social dimension of culture, ‘the EESC is […] in
favour of the European Union becoming a forum for reflection and
discussion on the cultural policies of each Member State — a forum
for a new process of cultural reflection on culture. Preparations for the
year of intercultural dialogue (2008) should be an opportunity for the
Commission to present a very detailed document on the actual breadth
of such dialogue, the persistent or new obstacles which it encounters,
and new ideas which could help genuinely deepen it. The EESC is
willing to play a role in the drafting of such a report, for example
from the perspective of the social dimension of culture’ (1).

(1) EESC opinion of 15.3.2006 on ‘The social dimension of culture’.

Rapporteur: Mr Le Scornet (SOC/191).

3.5
The main basis for intercultural dialogue should be
promoting respect for the various cultures, customs and tradi-
tions of citizens living in Europe.

(2) Work programme of Dr Anne-Marie Sigmund President of the Euro-
pean Economic and Social Committee for her 2004/2006 term of
office and Annual review of the work programme of Dr Anne-Marie
Sigmund President of the European Economic and Social Committee
for her 2004/2006 term of office.

(3) A point of view which has already been endorsed in the EESC
opinion of 15.3.2006 on Tourism and culture: two forces for growth
(rapporteur: Mr Pesci).

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3.6
The growing mobility of EU citizens and the increasing
number of migrant workers, often followed by their families or
other relatives, suggest
to promote
respect for cultures and traditions different from those which
have developed in Europe: this task should be carried out by
the European institutions and the Member States, as part of
their coordination functions.

the need for an effort

dialogue, or active citizenship and participatory democracy, as
envisaged by the Commission's communication strategy; hence,
a coordinated programme and use of funds is needed to ensure
that objectives can be implemented in the long term or even
on an ongoing basis.

On the basis of the UNESCO documents mentioned
3.7
the EESC recommends strengthening the European
earlier,
Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia, making it a
coordinating body at Community level to facilitate the cultural
integration of tens of millions of immigrant citizens in order to
further mutual awareness and respect between the various
cultures.

The EESC is disappointed that the proposal for a deci-
3.8
sion does not mention the creation of a Community-level
medium, such as a TV or radio channel broadcasting in all the
languages of European citizens, as an instrument for achieving
its objectives. However, since then, following on from its Action
Plan on improving communication and Plan D for democracy,
dialogue and debate, the Commission has drafted a White Paper
on a European communication policy. Each of these documents
focuses on dialogue with European citizens. Community objec-
tives cannot be fully conveyed through privately owned elec-
tronic or written media.

3.9
In several of its opinions, the EESC has already voiced
its concerns with regard to funding for projects, the pursuit of
objectives laid down as part of a European Year — which is a
very useful concept — and the balanced implementation of
these objectives on an ongoing basis (4).

The very launch of the European Year initiative calls for evalua-
tion of means to attract and retain the attention of the public
while ensuring that a balance between considerations of
sustainability is struck and maintained; it is indeed impossible
to monitor the launch and subsequent progress of programmes
established for a single year — the requisite funds are not guar-
anteed for subsequent years and there are also disparities in
implementation of the objectives. For this reason, the question
arises of how the proposal under review can ensure mutual
cultural awareness and acceptance for all citizens and institu-
tions on the basis of objectives that have been set for only one
year.

There can be no doubt

3.10
individual one-year
programmes will not suffice to achieve the objectives of the
European Years of equal opportunities for all or of intercultural

that

(4) EESC opinion of 14.2.2006 on the European Year of people with
disabilities. Rapporteur: Ms Gunta Anca (OJ C 88 of 11.4.2006).

The EESC is doubtful whether priority objectives can
3.11
be implemented on the basis of the proposed budget. Most of
the proposed budget is allocated to support for Community-
level activity, and it is questionable whether the eight events
are not disproportionate to the achievement of the proposed
objectives. Support for local citizens' initiatives is also uncer-
tain.

In view of considerable variations

3.12
in intercultural
dialogue, the EESC recommends that the Commission should
develop qualitative as well as quantitative indicators to evaluate
implementation of the objectives of the European Year. In view
of its role as representative of civil society, the EESC undertakes
to participate in this work.

The EESC proposes that an encyclopaedia of European
3.13
culture be compiled on the basis of events and measures under
the European Year of intercultural dialogue in 2008; this could
in turn be used to compile a handbook of European cultures,
which could become a basic text for developing European citi-
zenship. Together with a compilation of best practice,
the
handbook would be indispensable in promoting the integration
of immigrant workers and their families.

4. Supporting diverse customs, traditions and cultures

4.1
The EESC endorses UNESCO's universal declaration that
‘the cultural wealth of the world is its diversity in dialogue’ (5)
and the objectives set out in the Convention on the Protection
and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions (6); of
these, the EESC would emphasise the goal of fostering ‘intercul-
turality in order to develop cultural interaction in the spirit of
building bridges among people …’.

The objectives of the European Year of

intercultural
4.2
dialogue include the various forms of artistic expression of
human emotions as one of the key values of European cultural
heritage. Awareness and acceptance of various cultures can
only happen if we understand, recognise and accept each
other's feelings and values. Given that young people are a key
target group,
it is especially important to pay attention to
healthy emotional development, and hence to support initia-
tives to develop multicultural awareness.

(5) UNESCO Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity adopted by the
the General Conference of UNESCO (Paris, 2

31st Session of
November 2001).

(6) Adopted by the General Conference of UNESCO in October 2005.

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4.3
The EESC supports the proposal for establishing a Day
of Intercultural Dialogue, to coincide with Cultural Develop-
ment Day, which has already been introduced by UNESCO and
takes place on 21 May. On this occasion, the European institu-
tions could award symbolic prizes to educational institutions
and civil society organisations which have played a leading role
in initiating and implementing intercultural dialogue. The day
could serve as an opportunity for organising ceremonial events.

opportunities for all
Dialogue and Debate.

(2007) and of Plan D for Democracy,

Given the diversity of

launched by the
5.2
different Member States to promote intercultural dialogue, the
EESC suggests that the European institutions establish a coordi-
nating body with responsibility for harmonising, promoting
and disseminating such initiatives.

initiatives

Involvement of civil society organisations, educational
4.4
institutions and European citizens is crucial
to support for
intercultural dialogue. For this reason, the EESC would particu-
larly welcome the introduction of a prize, even one of symbolic
value (whose award would, among other things, entitle the
winning European citizen, civil society organisation or institu-
tion to make use of
Intercultural
Dialogue); this prize could be awarded to European citizens,
institutions which
civil society organisations and educational
play a leading role in mobilising intercultural dialogue through
initiatives aimed at helping young people to understand that
members of society should mutually respect each other's tradi-
tions and cultural values, not only at
local, regional and
national levels, but also at European level.

the logo of

the Day of

The EESC concurs with the Commission and the Euro-
4.5
pean Parliament
to promote intercultural
dialogue should be primarily targeted at young people.
However, it would also remind the European institutions not to
neglect older age groups.

initiatives

that

5. Coordination with other programmes

To ensure more effective implementation of the objec-
5.1
tives set out in the proposal for a decision, the EESC would
recommend that they should be harmonised and aligned with
the objectives and instruments of the European Year of equal

Brussels, 20 April 2006.

Successful intercultural initiatives include the Leonardo
5.3
programme, which promotes
the European dimension of
training by supporting the development of innovative initiatives
in the field and projects involving international partnerships (7),
as well as the Anna Lindh Foundation (8) and EuromedCafé (9),
which aims to facilitate dialogue between European and Medi-
terranean countries.

The proposal for a decision aims at promoting harmony
5.4
and coordinating cultural diversity, while taking into account
economic globalisation; it therefore offers added value and a
new impetus for achieving the objectives of
the renewed
Lisbon strategy.

The EESC would like to take part in the following in

5.5
cooperation with the NGOs:

— making intercultural dialogue continuous,

— cooperating with the celebration of the 25th anniversary
(November 2006) of the UN Declaration (that rejects intol-
erance and discrimination based on faith and religious
belief),

— the assessment of year 2008.

On the basis of the above mentioned it shall make an appro-
priate supplementary proposal.

The President

of the European Economic and Social Committee

Anne-Marie SIGMUND

(7) Ongoing initiatives which involve participation by third countries
include the Thswane University of Technology Scholarship (South
Africa),. the West Virginia Scholarship (USA), and the GE4 Student
Exchange in Engineering (USA, Latin America and Asia).

(8) The Anna Lindh Foundation was established to promote mutual
understanding and respect among the peoples of Europe and the
Mediterranean region, and ties in with the Action Plan for the
Barcelona process.

(9) EuromedCafé is a website created by the Mediterranean Laboratory
Foundation to provide a fresh impetus for renewed dialogue and
exchange between European and Mediterranean peoples.