” “The EU Commission recalls, in the run-up to the opening of the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue, that, according to a recent survey by Eurobarometro, "two thirds of the EU population state they have contacts every day with at least one person of a different religion, ethnic group of nationality", which proves "that the interaction between cultures is like ready cash within the European Union". This is the "background of the initiatives that have been planned for 2008", including "the 27 national projects and the seven major pan-European projects that intend to involve a wide number of EU citizens". The plans for the Year tend to decentralise as explained by the promoters the events all over the EU; but several events will also be centrally held in Brussels, including "six debates about as many subjects": migration, minorities, education, cultures and multilingualism, religions, art. In addition, the spokespersons of the EU Commission explain that several concerts and an "event for young people about inter-religious relations" have been planned. Schedules and subjects of the Year can be consulted online at www.dialogue2008.eu. ” “
