Between 6th and 7th of April 2009, the Anna Lindh Foundation played a central role in the second UN Alliance Forum taking place in Istanbul, Turkey.

The Forum, described as ‘the world’s premier event for intercultural dialogue’, brought together high-level decision-makers and leading players from the media sector, business community and from across civil society.

In their opening remarks, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and UN High-representative President Sampaio referred to the joint initiatives being developed with the Anna Lindh Foundation, including the framework ‘Restore Trust, Rebuild Bridges’ launched in the wake of the Gaza crisis, and the rapid response media mechanism to intercultural crises in the region.

Executive Director Andreu Claret was also involved on the opening day in launching the Foundation’s Mediterranean Journalist Award, alongside EU Commissioner Jan Figel and UN Alliance Director Marc Scheuer, and signing the first memorandums of understanding with the UN Alliance and the Euro-Mediterranean University (EMUNI).

During the Forum, the Anna Lindh Foundation co-organised a number of events, including two ‘Media Dialogue’ forums in collaboration with the Euro-Med Media Task Force, and the working groups ‘Reporting across cultural divides’ and ‘Islamic and Muslim contribution to European cultures’, as well as receiving a special invitation to the stage for the closing ceremony in recognition of collaborative work.