In light of the consequences of the Gaza War and the economic crisis on civil society and intercultural relations in the Euro-Med space, the members of the Presidency of the Jury selected the theme of Intercultural Dialogue for Peace and Coexistence for this year’s edition. The choice of the theme of this year’s award matured in the framework of the call Restore Trust, Rebuild Bridges issued together with the Alliance of Civilizations and taking into account that 2009 is the International Year of Reconciliation.

Candidates should prove to contribute to re-establish confidence in social, political and cultural dialogue as the major effective way to address conflicts in the Euro-Med Space. As a consequence of the recent conflict, the gap in mutual perceptions between societies of our region has widened, tensions among communities inside many countries have increased, acts of violence, intolerance, Islamophobia and anti-Semitism have unsettled several countries and confidence in a shared common future of peace and justice has lost ground. At the same time, the global economic crisis is jeopardizing intercultural relations and feeding the arguments of xenophobia.

Candidates for the award should contribute to non-violent resolution of conflicts, opening of reconciliation processes, mutual recognition in dignity and justice and creation of spaces of coexistence between different communities in areas affected by conflicts and tensions.