White Paper on Intercultural Dialogue: "Living together as equals in dignity" (2010)

The White Paper stresses one crucial aspect quite often ignored, but the main reason to stress the importance of practicing 'intercultural dialogue' in European society, namely the risks of non-dialogue:

"The risks of non-dialogue need to be fully appreciated. Not to engage in dialogue makes it easy to develop a stereotypical perception of the other, build up a climate of mutual suspicion, tension and anxiety, use minorities as scapegoats, and generally foster intolerance and discrimination. The breakdown of dialogue within and between societies can provide, in certain cases, a climate conducive to the emergence, and the exploitation by some, of extremism and indeed terrorism. Intercultural dialogue, including on the international plane, is indispensable between neighbours.

Shutting the door on a diverse environment can offer only an illusory security. A retreat into the apparently reassuring comforts of an exclusive community may lead to a stifling conformism. The absence of dialogue deprives everyone of the benefit of new cultural openings, necessary for
personal and social development in a globalised world. Segregated and mutually exclusive communities provide a climate that is often hostile to individual autonomy and the unimpeded exercise of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

An absence of dialogue does not take account of the lessons of Europe’s cultural and political heritage. European history has been peaceful and productive whenever a real determination prevailed to speak to our neighbour and to co-operate across dividing lines. It has all too often led to human catastrophe whenever there was a lack of openness towards the other. Only dialogue allows people to live in unity in diversity."

Synoposis

Managing Europe’s increasing cultural diversity – rooted in the history of our continent and enhanced by globalisation – in a democratic manner has become a priority in recent years.

The White Paper on Intercultural Dialogue – “Living together as equals in dignity”, responds to an increasing demand to clarify how intercultural dialogue can enhance diversity while sustaining social cohesion.

The White Paper emphatically argues in the name of the governments of the 47 member states of the Council of Europe that our common future depends on our ability to safeguard and develop human rights, as enshrined in the European Convention on Human Rights, democracy and the rule of law, and to promote mutual understanding and respect. It concludes that the intercultural approach offers a forward-looking model for the management of cultural diversity.

Contents

Foreword

Preface

1. Introduction
1.1. The Council of Europe and intercultural dialogue
1.2. The White Paper process
1.3. The major concerns
1.4. Key terms

2. Embracing cultural diversity
2.1. Pluralism, tolerance and intercultural dialogue
2.2. Equality of human dignity
2.3. Standards and tools: the achievements of the Council of Europe over five decades
2.4. The risks of non-dialogue

3. Conceptual framework
3.1. The notion of intercultural dialogue
3.2. Identity-building in a multicultural environment
3.3. Prior approaches to cultural diversity
3.4. The conditions of intercultural dialogue
3.4.1. Human rights, democracy and the rule of law
3.4.2. Equal dignity and mutual respect
3.4.3. Gender equality
3.4.4. Combating the barriers that prevent intercultural dialogue
3.5. The religious dimension

4. Five policy approaches to the promotion of intercultural dialogue
4.1. Democratic governance of cultural diversity
4.1.1. A political culture valuing diversity
4.1.2. Human rights and fundamental freedoms
4.1.3. From equality of opportunity to equal enjoyment of rights
4.2. Democratic citizenship and participation
4.3. Learning and teaching intercultural competences
4.3.1. Key competence areas: democratic citizenship, language, history
4.3.2. Primary and secondary education
4.3.3. Higher education and research
4.3.4. Non-formal and informal learning
4.3.5. The role of educators
4.3.6. The family environment
4.4. Spaces for intercultural dialogue
4.5. Intercultural dialogue in international relations

5. Recommendations and policy orientations for future action: the shared responsibility of the core actors
5.1. Democratic governance of cultural diversity
5.2. Democratic citizenship and participation
5.3. Learning and teaching intercultural competences
5.4. Spaces for intercultural dialogue
5.5. Intercultural dialogue in international relations

6. The way ahead

Appendix - Selected conventions, declarations, recommendations and other reference texts of the Council of Europe relevant to intercultural dialogue

^ Top

« Intercultural Dialogue by Culture Action Europe (2008) | Frederique Chabaud's Concept of Intercultural Dialogue - a response by Hatto Fischer »

Ποιειν Και Πραττειν - create and do

Navigation

White Paper on Intercultural Dialogue: "Living together as equals in dignity" (2010)