Training Seminar on Intercultural Dialogue and Social Change

Cairo (Egypt), from 1 to 6 June 2011

The Cairo Training Seminar, which will bring together over 50 Arab participants, will consist of a capacity building scheme for the Anna Lindh Arab Networks, addressing the new challenges of the southern civil societies and preparing for new actions and initiatives.

The seminar will focus on the role of civil society in promoting citizenship and democracy through intercultural dialogue; enhancing youth leadership and their role in generating social changes; and reinforcing the use of the social media and new technologies in information and communication.

Overall Objective of the Training Seminar

The main objective of the training seminar is to bring together representatives of civil society organizations in the Arab world to:

- Reflect upon the recent socio-political developments in the region from an intercultural perspective,

- Strengthen knowledge and skills to develop the capacity of those organisations as civil society actors in the democratic and social transition, and act as multipliers on the local and international levels.

The involvement of resource persons from different Euro-Med countries will enrich the training content and will encourage exchange.

Specific objectives of the Training Seminar 

-     To explore the effects of the recent political and social changes on civil participation in the Arab world, as well as the role of intercultural dialogue in empowering the understanding of democracy and citizenship in the Euro-Mediterranean framework, and specifically in the Arab world.    

-     To strengthen the capacities of Arab civil society organizations, and especially members of the ALF National Networks, to develop skills in initiating, implementing and monitoring projects with an intercultural focus. 

-     To exchange knowledge and good practices about citizenship and democracy among civil society operators, media and young activists.

-     To make possible for members of the ALF Arab Networks through dialogue and personal experiences to achieve cooperation and recognize mutual interests and potentials, and to support the South-South cooperation.

-     To disseminate good practices (i.e. Anna Lindh Bloggers and Intercultural Dialogue Tool Kit).

-     To strengthen the communication between the ALF Arab networks and the ALF Secretariat, and plan regional actions.