Intercultural Dialogue is one of three specific objectives of the Culture (2007-2013) Programme of the European Union. How has this objective been translated into the practice of funded projects and organisations? This is the question which the Platform for Intercultural Europe and Culture Action Europe have investigated with a view to contributing to the European Commission’s review of the Programme and the preparation of its next phase beginning in 2014. Their research with programme beneficiaries has lead to the conclusions that definitions, selection criteria and evaluation measures under the programme need considerable improvement.

Read the summary of the study and the recommendations. Send us your comments and suggestions for the finalisation of our submission to the official programme review consultation to: dialogue@intercultural-europe.org by 31st August 2010. The full study report will be available soon.

A stock-take of the Platform for Intercultural Europe’s series of Practice Exchanges for Intercultural Capacity-Building was undertaken by members and non-members in this one-day meeting where discussion could easily have taken up more time. The Platform for Intercultural Europe’s political role was centre stage in the debate on its demand for a Council working group on intercultural dialogue under the Open Method of Coordination and the commentary from European Commission representative Alison Crabb.

Read our demand for an EU Council working group on intercultural dialogue and send your comments and contributions to: dialogue@intercultural-europe.org by 31st August 2010. Read the meeting report.

Following the adoption of statutory changes, the current Steering Group of the Platform for Intercultural Europe was confirmed for a three year term. Chris Torch, Tarafa Baghajati, Eli Borchgrevink, Guillermo Ruiz, Niels Righolt as well as Guido Orlandini and Mercedes Esteban will continue their voluntary commitment to guide our association in the further development of its mission. Isabelle Schwarz was co-opted by the new Steering Group. Congratulations! Look at the Steering Group profiles.

The work place as a primary place for intercultural engagement and the negotiation of rights and entitlements of immigrant workers – this was the topic discussed by over 70 participants made up of CGIL officials and members, as well as representatives of civic organisations.. Particular attention was paid to how becoming a “multi-ethnic trade union confederation” has both affected CGIL’s classical trade union work and lead to new kinds of socio-cultural and training activities. Yet consensus emerged that intercultural dialogue at work is challenged by the Italian legal context, political climate and media discourse. Many saw nothing less at stake than Italian democracy itself: “We are told not to complain about a lack of democratic rights because we don’t have them in our countries of origin either. I retort that that is exactly why we came”, said a participant of Eritrean origins. The meeting concluded that trade unions need to form unconventional alliances in order to make Italian society intercultural with new principles of participation. The full meeting report will be available soon.

[last updated on 11/06/2010]