Creating a common Mediterranean Region of exchange, mutual understanding, economic prosperity and peace is a shared vision of the 43 countries of the ‘Union for Mediterranean’, the far-reaching political partnership established in 1995 between the European Union, the Arab ‘Mediterranean countries, Israel and Turkey, and re-launched at the Paris Summit of Heads of State or Government in 2008

In this regard, the Anna Lindh Foundation, who is responsible for the enhancement of the Partnership’s human and social dimension, is preparing to launch in 2010 its first Report on Intercultural Trends which aims to understand better the challenges to intercultural relations between and within societies across the two shores of the Mediterranean and to define a set of shared values which can form a basis to a common future.

Combining a public opinion poll carried out in partnership with Gallup in a sample of countries of the Union for the Mediterranean with qualitative intercultural analysis from experts based in more than 30 countries of the Region, this pioneering scientific study represents an international model of innovative practice in terms of creating a barometer to measure the temperature of mutual perceptions and a tool of action in the hands of policy-makers, opinion-leaders and civil society at large.

The session ‘Anna Lindh Report’ will be an opportunity to have a first insight into the methodology developed by the Anna Lindh Foundation and partners, as well as exploring its international implications in terms of application of such a study in other regions world-wide, with key questions for discussion including: Which indicators should be taken into consideration when measuring mutual perceptions and intercultural beahviours? What is the most appropriate methodology when studying mutual perceptions? What are the challenges of assessing value trends across different countries? How can the results this regional study be exploited at the global level? What do you think that institutions such as the Anna Lindh Foundation or Alliance of Civilisations could do for the improvement of mutual perceptions?

Confirmed speakers include André Azoulay, President of the Anna Lindh Foundation, founding member of the High-Level of the UN Alliance of Civilisations and Counselor to the King of Morocco; Dalia Mogahed, Senior Analyst and Executive Director of the Gallup Center for Muslim Studies; and Mohamed Tozy, Professor of Political Science at the University Hassan-II of Casablanca in Morocco and the University of Aix en Province in France.