” “” “” “Preventing conflicts, managing regional crises, being a "point of reference and promotion of intercultural dialogue", building "bridges" between the West and Islam: these are some of the objectives that have been entrusted to the "Alliance of civilisations", an initiative promoted by about seventy bodies (national governments, international organisations) which will hold the first meeting in Madrid on January 15th and 16th. Guests to the Forum of the Alliance will include Ban Ki-moon, secretary general of the United Nations, and Terry Davis, secretary of the Council of Europe, who will voice the commitment of the CoE "to promote cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue". Speakers will include Jorge Sampaio, the former president of Portugal, appointed High Representative of the Alliance, the Spanish Prime Minister Luis Zapatero and the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who were the authors of the initiative back in 2005. "Ministers, delegates of governments, foundations, of the economic community and NGOs explain the promoters will be there". Davis explains that "the principles behind such issues are contained in the White Paper on Intercultural Dialogue, which is being compiled through an in-depth consultation process".” “” “
