The Board of Governors of the Anna lindh Foundation, integrated by representatives of the 43 countries of the Union for the Mediterranean met yesterday and underlined the importance of ‘civil society dynamism’ and the work of the Foundation for entering a new perspective of intercultural relations in the Region with the organization of the ALF Forum which gather more than 1000 people in Barcelona recently.

The Anna Lindh Forum, which was described by Spanish Foreign Minister Moratinos as a “historic milestone” in the Euro-Mediterranean Process, successfully brought together over 1000 civil society representatives from all 43 countries of the Union for the Mediterranean, the far-reaching political, economic and social Partnership co-chaired by Egypt and France.

Addressing the Board meeting, André Azoulay remarked: “This is the first time I have the feeling there is a clear and common perspective on the work of our shared institution, from the civil society to the political leaders. The Anna Lindh Foundation is now perceived at all levels, and across our Region, as the most committed, active, credible and visible institution of the Union for the Mediterranean”.

Speaking on behalf of the Franco-Egyptian co-presidency of the Union for the Mediterranean, the Egyptian Ambassador of the Union for the Mediterranean, Said Hindam, congratulated the Foundation for “the wonderful work” on the very first Anna Lindh Forum, underlining that the Forum “allows us to look ahead”, while the Ambassador of France, Serge Telle, stated that the Forum had been impressive also for the “dynamism of the civil society who showed their collective willingness to overcome obstacles to regional cooperation during a period which has seen political difficulties”.

The meeting of the Board was an opportunity for the Anna Lindh Foundation’s President, André Azoulay, and Executive Director, Andreu Claret, to present the official outcomes of the Forum as well as the initial conclusions of the forthcoming ‘Anna Lindh Report on Intercultural Trends’ which features a first Survey carried out with Gallup with 13,000 citizens of the Euro-Mediterranean Region.

The Board also examined the budget of the Anna Lindh Foundation for 2011 as well as the status of the member States contributions.