Contents

Statement by Dr. Traugott Schoefthaler(*)

Euro-Mediterranean Code of Conduct on Countering Terrorism (adopted by the EuroMediterranean Summit Barcelona 28 November 2005)

“We confirm that we will...reject any attempts to associate terrorism with any nation, culture or religion."

If it is necessary to conclude international agreements on this basic principle - which derives its substance from the non-discrimination values of Human Rights, we have a problem. Since terrorists usually claim to act on behalf of whole nations or regions or religions, there is urgent need for promoting a new and better understanding of culture. It is a matter of fact that we all are born into existing cultural environments. But it is also true that the creativity is an essential part of the human condition. Culture is heritage as well as creation.

We need to promote a better understanding of cultural diversity. It is a matter of fact that one aspect of cultural diversity can be found in differences between common cultural characteristics of nations or religions. But it is also true that creative diversity is part of the wealth of each nation and religion. Statements such as "if you know one Arab, you know them all" is as stupid as it is core ingredient of stereotypes and racism.

Past generations in the Euro-Mediterranean region have, too often, limited the idea of dialogue between cultures to a dialogue between nations, languages and religions. This way, and against best intentions, it was made possible to misuse culture as a weapon in preparing for a clash of civilisations. If we are committed to de-legitimize terrorism, we have to refrain from the traditional but extremely dangerous pattern of organizing cultural dialogue for individuals invited to "represent" whole cultural entities or religions.

We have to find ways and means for giving visibility to agreed international standards such as the UNESCO Universal Declaration on Cultural, Diversity (2001). In adopting such documents, the international community has agreed to an understanding of multiple, dynamic and overlapping cultural identities of not only nations but also individuals and social groups. In a nutshell: every human being, with his or her multitude of cultural affiliations, resulting partly from heritage, partly from individual choices and preferences, represents cultural diversity. (Amin Maalouf, In the name of identity)

Unfortunately, such understanding of culture has hardly arrived at the minds of women and men. It is hardly learnt at school or in the cultural life of societies. But it can and must be acquired.

The Anna Lindh Euro-Mediterranean Foundation for the Dialogue between Cultures, established less than one year ago, is the youngest common institution of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership, bringing together the 25 Member States of the EU and their ten Southern and Eastern Mediterranean Partners. Our basic document is the "Barcelona Declaration", adopted in 1995, and stressing the need to "guarantee religious and cultural diversity and pluralism" in the EuroMed region. "Learning about cultural diversity "is our unifying theme. Dialogue between Cultures is understood as dialogue between human beings, not between anonymous cultural entities. The Foundation is committed to provide young people with opportunities and tools they need for participating in an intercultural dialogue which goes beyond words: Learning and working together are our preferred modalities for promoting mutual respect and tolerance.

Together with ISESCO, ALECSO, the OIC, UNESCO, the Council of Europe and the Danish Centre for Culture and Development, the Anna Lindh Foundation is co-author of the "Rabat Commitment for concrete and sustainable steps for the Dialogue between Cultures and Civilizations", signed in June 2005 in Rabat. The Anna Lindh Foundation has been designated the instrument of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership for the Alliance of Civilizations. We are looking forward to forming an alliance for a new and better understanding of culture and our "creative diversity" (to give credit to the still pertinent conclusions from the World Report on Culture and Development, published ten years ago under chairmanship of former UN Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar).

(*) Executive Director of Anna Lindh Euro-Mediterranean Foundation for the Dialogue between Cultures.

Publications of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

-ISESCO- 1428H/2007 A.D