The common objective

“Faith can be an important factor of integration because religion is an essential part of the identity of many people”. The preparatory working document for the meeting of 14 May in Brussels on dialogue between religions has been drawn up by the European Policy Centre (EPC). The meeting is one of the main events planned to mark the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue in 2008. Dialogue vital for peace and cohesion. The EPC Report, commissioned by the EU, says: “A society marked by tensions between people of different faiths cannot work in an efficient manner”. That’s why dialogue is “vital to achieve social peace and cohesion, prevent conflicts, and ensure that all the talents of our citizens be aimed at the shared objective of building a better society”. The text (available in English on the website www.interculturaldialogue2008.eu) first provides a general description of the situation in Europe, pointing out positive occasions for and experiences of dialogue but also grounds for concern. It then identifies some “perspectives” which ought to be at the centre of the discussion at the Residence Palace, at the heart of the European quarter of the Belgian capital, venue of the meeting. The main speakers at the meeting include: Nadine Iarchy, Vice President of the International Council of Jewish Women; Abduljalil Sajid, President of the British Islamic Council for Religious and Racial Harmony; EU Commissioner for Education Jan Figel’; and Vice-President of the European Parliament Mario Mauro.Christianity, most widespread religion. The EPC document tackles the title of the meeting: “New horizons: active citizenship to bridge inter-religious divides”. The European Union is seen as a “lively mix of peoples of different faiths, cultures and traditions. Christianity is the predominant religion, but many European citizens are Muslims, Jews, Hindus and Buddhists, while others have no faith or declare themselves atheists”. The diversity of religions in Europe has been intensified by the immigrant population, often coming from countries with a Muslim majority (Turkey, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia…). In this context, the EU “guarantees respect for religious, cultural and linguistic diversity. European legislation bans discrimination on grounds of religion or credo, racial and ethnic origin, gender, disability, age or sexual orientation”. However “Europe has in the past suffered from ferocious wars between religions or within religions and the violent suppression and exclusion of minorities”. Today too “anti-Semitism and discrimination against Roma and Muslims continue to stain the reputation of Europe as a diverse multicultural and multifaith society”. In particular “suspicion toward Muslims has grown in many member states” as a consequence of the attacks of 11 September 2001 in the USA, those in Spain in March 2004 and in the UK in July 2005. Relations in everyday life. In spite of these realities, the EPC recognizes a number of positive developments in intercultural dialogue. “Members of the religious communities have for years interacted both informally and formally in the pluralist Europe of our time” – declares the document. Informal relations between persons of different faiths “are constantly taking place: in shops, in cafés, at work and at home”. For its part, the EU has multiplied its exchanges with various States through its neighbourhood policy and thanks to the Euro-Mediterranean process launched at Barcelona in 1996. Equally, the Alliance for Civilization (created on the initiative of Spain and Turkey under the auspices of the UNO) “aims at increasing the relations for understanding and cooperation between nations and peoples”. The document further recognizes the many initiatives realized by the various communities and Churches to foster dialogue between faiths and contribute to the social development of the European Union. The “courage” of Benedict XVI. The document cites for example the “courageous move” of Pope Benedict XVI who has given decisive support to the creation of the Catholic-Muslim Forum which, after a preparatory seminar held in March, is due to hold its inaugural summit in the Vatican in November. The report of the European Policy Centre also reviews the activities of the Conference of European Churches, the various initiatives that link Jews and Muslims, and the recent “European Charter” promoted by the Muslim communities of the old continent. These exchanges between faiths are understood both as the key to the prevention of conflicts and as a means of alleviating those latent tensions that risk undermining coexistence in the EU and between the EU and its neighbouring countries. At the global level, in fact, the need to “tackle key challenges such as climate changes, poverty, migrations and terrorism requires cooperation and efforts to overcome traditional divisions” founded on nationality or on religion itself.