Convening in London, the Anna Lindh Foundation’s Advisory Council warn of the impact of the Gaza war and the economic crisis on civil society in the Euro-Mediterranean space, and endorse a programme of action aimed at restoring trust and rebuilding bridges in the region.

Members of the Anna Lindh Foundation’s Advisory Council, including members from the Middle East, Europe and Turkey, have been convened by the President of the Foundation, André Azoulay, in order to reassess the programme of action in the new context of the Union for the Mediterranean.

During the meeting and discussions, Advisory Council members were in agreement on the new challenges presented to civil society in the region by both the war in Gaza and financial crisis in terms of intercultural tensions, radicalisation and misunderstanding both across the Mediterranean shore and within societies in the Euro-Mediterranean space.

« While the war in Gaza presents the Foundation and its political framework - the Union for Mediterranean – an unprecedented and critical challenge» said Mr Azoulay, « the Anna Lindh Foundation’s role in this context is evidently more vital than ever», emphasizing “in this context, the urgency of the need for the Union for the Mediterranean”.

The Advisory Council validated the new programme, presented at the meeting by the Director and adapted to the new situation, which includes the launch of the Call for Project Proposals to the Foundation’s network of civil society actors and the preparation of the first Annual Report on Intercultural Behaviours in the Euro-Mediterranean region.

In addition, the Council has agreed on the importance of a planned visit to Gaza, the West Bank and Israel by an Anna Lindh delegation of Heads of Network and Advisory Council members in order to assess the needs of the local Anna Lindh networks and putting in place support initiatives for civil society members in the region.

For more information, contact the Anna Lindh Foundation at:

Press.office@euromedalex.org