Living together / Vivre ensemble

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Living together /Vivre ensemble

• Robin Wilson
• r.wilson250_at_btinternet.com

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Summary

• Why intercultural dialogue?
• What is it for?
• What are its conditions?
• Where does it happen?
• Who is responsible?
• How is it developed?
• Role for Council of Europe?

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Why intercultural dialogue?

• Effects of globalisation and mass migration
• All societies now culturally diverse and none
  insulated from others
• Wars in ex-Yugoslavia, 9/11, 11/3 and 7/7
• Alternative solution clash of civilisations,
  war on terror
• Intercultural dialogue holds out prospect of
  cultural enrichment

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What is it for?

• Can no longer assume that all who live within a
  state will assimilate to its predominant ethos
• Yet multi-culturalism has unintentionally
  fostered segregation and incomprehension
• Intercultural dialogue recognises there are
  genuine differences of perspective but aims to
  achieve solidarity among strangers
• Critical if we are to live together as equals

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What are its conditions?

• Equality of citizenshipmust be underpinned by
  human rights, including rights of persons
  belonging to minority communities and by gender
  equality
• Impartial public authoritiesonly lay authorities
  can broker dialogue honestly (eg between
  religious)
• Recognition integration is a two-way street

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Where does it happen?

• Intercultural dialogue is at issue throughout
  public sphere
• intercultural/bilingual education
• impartial/minority media
• planning and neighbourhood policies
• sensitive issues in health and social services
• policies on culture and heritage
• Issues of immigration and foreign policy

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Who is responsible?

• Intercultural dialogue happens at all levels from
  interpersonal to international
• So inevitably involves
• civic (including minority) associations
• local and regional authorities
• national governments
• transnational bodies

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How is it developed?

• Intercultural dialogue calls for joined-up
  solutions
• Governments can allocate lead department,
  establish interdepartmental arrangement or create
  cross-departmental public body
• Must engage civic society, especially minority
  associations, in this work
• Can draw together in single integration plan
• Local authorities can establish integration
  committees, with minority representatives

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Role for Council of Europe?

• Moral standing as conscience of Europe,
  guardian of (universal) values of human rights,
  rule of law and political pluralism
• Intellectual credentials as think tank or
  clearing house for good practice
• Potential for partnerships with other
  transnational bodies, as well as governments and
  civil society

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