As the European Year Intercultural Dialogue (EYID) 2008 draws towards its conclusion, a major event on the 17-19 November celebrates the achievements of the year so far but also looks ahead to new perspectives for intercultural dialogue in Europe. With hundreds of activities and projects highlighted, promoted and disseminated during this Year, the communication campaign has raised awareness throughout Europe of the importance and benefits of intercultural dialogue

Over 600 participants from across Europe and beyond are expected to join the closing conference of the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue 2008 entitled "New Perspectives for Intercultural Dialogue in Europe". The conference, organised by the French Presidency of the European Union and the European Commission, will take place on 17-19 November in the Centre Pompidou, Paris. Keynote speakers will include Jean Pierre Jouyet, French Secretary of State for European Affairs, Ján Figeľ, European Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture and Youth, Christine Albanel, French Minister of Culture and Communication, and Members of the European Parliament. Discussions will range across themes including intercultural education, the role and responsibilities of the media in intercultural dialogue, social cohesion and integration, Europe in the wider world, and intercultural dialogue in the arts.

This event will be preceded by a press conference on the 17th November at 12:00h at the Representation of the European Commission in Paris with Ján Figel' and Jean-Pierre Jouyet to highlight the achievements of the Year and to present the initiatives organised in France.

The conference "New Perspectives for Intercultural Dialogue in Europe" is an opportunity for discussion and practical implementation of the experiences of 2008, in order to further promote intercultural dialogue in the policies of the European Union, the governments of its Member States, and local and regional communities in the long term.

The programme of the closing event is available under: www.ue2008.fr


Background

The year 2008 has been designated as the ‘European Year of Intercultural Dialogue’ to promote intercultural dialogue as a process in which all those living in the EU can improve their ability to deal with a more open cultural environment.

2009 has been designated as the European Year of Creativity and Innovation.

For more information, visit: www.dialogue2008.eu