International Conference: Intercultural Dialogue for Greater Europe – The European Union and the Balkans

Populari’s Executive Director Alida Vračić participated in the international conference “Intercultural Dialogue for Greater Europe – The European Union and the Balkans” that was held on June 23-24, 2008 in Zagreb, Croatia and organized by the EC Directorate – General for Education and Cultures.

Academics, religious leaders, policy-makers and NGO representatives came together at a conference in Zagreb to discuss the role of intercultural dialogue for the Balkan region and for Europe as a whole.

The theme of this conference, organised by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Education and Culture, was chosen in light of the 2008 European Year of Intercultural Dialogue. It also follows the tradition to discuss this subject at Jean Monnet Conferences, annual high-level events on current policy priorities in the field of European integration. The relevance of intercultural dialogue both for peace and stability in the Balkans and for the European perspective of the Balkan countries was an important reason to hold the conference in this region.

The conference provided a forum for discussing intercultural dialogue as a vehicle for progress and integration of the countries of the Balkan region with the European Union and with each other. The conference included speeches, presentations and panel discussions centred on the following key issues: peace and reconciliation between nations and cultures; reintegration of the Balkans; Europe and solidarity; and the role of academics in the intercultural dialogue in the enlarged Europe. Speakers included politicians, academics, artists, and researchers from EU member states, as well as candidate and potential candidate countries. Event participants were also drawn together from a variety of fields and backgrounds, which ensured a lively debate about the issues pertinent to the main theme of the conference.

More details on the conference can be found in the documents on the right hand side.

Fact Sheet: International Conference: Intercultural Dialogue for Greater Europe – The European Union and the Balkans (.pdf) >>>

Speech by Ms. Rodi Kratsa_MEP at the International Conference: Intercultural Dialogue for Greater Europe – The European Union and the Balkans (.pdf) >>>