Peoples and religions today

New policies and ideas, from “democratic governance to cultural diversity”; Integration of Muslims in Europe; the question of Europe’s identity; extending the work of the Year of Intercultural Dialogue beyond the end of 2008. These were some of the issues addressed by Jorge Sampaio, UN High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations in a speech he was invited to deliver at the European Parliament on October 22. The former president of Portugal highlighted the value of dialogue between peoples and the role played by religions in modern societies.Not just symbolic steps. In his introduction, the President of the European Parliament Hans-Gert Poettering, stressed “the shared outlook between the Alliance of Civilizations”, established in 2005 on the initiative of the Spanish and Turkish governments under the auspices of the UN, “and the European Parliament, with their emphasis on the importance of cultural interaction. In the modern world there is the need for practical not just symbolic steps on this front – Mr. Poettering declared -, such as the many projects the EP had supported in the context of the Year of Intercultural Dialogue”. Before delivering his address, Mr. Sampaio read out a short statement on behalf of the UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon which said that “It is in Europe, where constructive contacts over the centuries have allowed humanity to take major leaps forward, that opportunities for reconciliation and cooperation exist”. To this regard, “Cross-cultural dialogue, respect and understanding must be the pillars of the better world we are trying to build”. Global and local realities. “The modern global challenge of coexistence ought to be addressed with a global approach but implemented at local level”, he argued. This, according to Mr. Sampaio, can be done by involving local communities and creating concrete opportunities for encounter. The speaker, supported by the applause of MEPs, outlined a dramatic picture worsened by the increasing difficulty “we experience in living together the religious, cultural and cultural diversities of our societies”. He spoke of “the erosion of social cohesion” and of a widespread malaise and distrust “that had led States to act at the level of security and repression only”. “Politicians appear to be disoriented while polarized views” increase. “This is the time to rediscover the centrality of dialogue between civilizations and the enhancement of diversity is a way out of the problems we have to face”. After September 11. The Alliance of Civilizations, backed by the United Nations, “is aimed at improving, understanding and promoting cooperation between nations and peoples belonging to different cultures and religious while opposing those forces fomenting polarized views and extremisms”. A “Group of Friends”, i.e. a community encompassing over 80 States, organizations and international bodies, currently supports the Alliance. Mr. Sampaio explained that it “represents the response to the challenge linked to globalization, increased migration and 9/11”- namely, “the huge ethnical, cultural and religious diversity of our societies and the increasing difficulties we experience living together”. Current questions. Mr. Sampaio underlined a series “of crucial questions that ought to be addressed: how to integrate the Muslims of Europe? How to develop our relationship with the Mediterranean? How to enhance European foreign policy to project what we consider universal values to the world?” He voiced the need to “promote the respect of diversity and social cohesion on the basis of Europe’s historical values, freedom, the secularity of institutions and the religious traditions’ contribution to dialogue”. In his view “even serious crises such as the current financial and economic turmoil, must not deflect us from handling these in-depth problems”. Islam and European identity. As relates to the issue of Muslim minorities in Europe, Mr. Sampaio asked, “Why is there growing anxiety about Muslim integration in Europe? Because it is a demographic issue? Yes, of course! Because of the integration issue? No doubt about that!” Thus, “it is a question of Europe’s identity”, and “in order to cope with the integration of Muslims in our European societies we need new policies at all levels, from “democratic governance of cultural diversity”, to education on human rights, citizenship and religions throughout European countries.