Citizens are shaping a new era for Euro-Mediterranean dialogue

Tunisia hosts national debate on the first Anna Lindh Report on Intercultural Trends

Alexandria, Egypt – 13 March, 2011: Following the historic events in the Arab region, over 100 journalists, academic experts and NGO leaders gathered in the Tunisian capital to debate the findings of the Anna Lindh Report on Intercultural Trends in relation to the current social movements for change in the region and new prospects for trans-Mediterranean cooperation.

The national conference, entitled 'Averroes Maghreb' and organised in partnership with the Tunisian Ministry of Culture, commenced with a presentation of the Anna Lindh Report, which is based on the first very first Public Opinion Poll with Gallup on cross-cultural relations with 13,000 citizens in Europe and the southern Mediterranean region; in addition to its quantitative findings, the Report presents the analysis of over 30 Euro-Med experts on issues at the heart of the social transformations which have gripped the Arab region since the New Year, including demographic trends, youth participation, new media and the evolution of social and cross-cultural values.

Presenting the findings, Eleonora Insalaco, Coordinator of the Anna Lindh Report said: “Today the mission of the Anna Lindh Foundation for the promotion of intercultural dialogue is more important than ever. Intercultural dialogue is at the heart of truly democratic and pluralistic states, and the Anna Lindh Report offers scientific tools for the enhancement of a positive and sustainable dialogue both within and across societies of the Euromed region”.

Speaking on the Report panel, Ambassador James Larocco, Director of the Washington-based Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies, and present in Tunis ahead of Secretary of State Clinton’s visit next week, said: “The choice of a New Middle East is close and its achievement depends on the choices of the peoples and its leaders in each country. In this regard, we need to listen to the voice of citizens, and strengthen and invigorate regional institutions such as the Euro-Mediterranean Dialogue”.

Seifallah Tarchouni, Head of International Organisations at the Tunisian Ministry of Culture, said: “Tunisia is entering a new era. Our society is opening up, with a new democratic process and a plurality of ideas and perspectives for the future of our country. This presents new opportunities and challenges for dialogue with civil societies across the two shores of the Mediterranean, and the Anna Lindh Report presents us a roadmap for this dialogue.”

The findings of the Anna Lindh Report presented in Tunisia focused on the convergence in the evolution of the social and cultural trends between societies of the North and South of the Mediterranean as well as the importance of the religious factor as a central element in the future debate about Euro-Mediterranean relations. While 62% of the inhabitants of countries of the southern and eastern shore of the Mediterranean consider the transmission of religious beliefs as a priority value, only a minority of them (27%) associate the Mediterranean region to movements of resistance to change. In this perspective, the future of Euro-Mediterranean relations has a strong social basis of common values and shared interests to be built upon.