European Year of Intercultural Dialogue (2008)

With the Decision No 1983/2006/EC, the year 2008 has been designated as the ‘European Year of Intercultural Dialogue’ to contribute to giving expression and a high profile to a sustained process of intercultural dialogue which will continue beyond that year.

The overall objectives of the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue shall be to contribute to:

— promoting intercultural dialogue as a process in which all those living in the EU can improve their ability to deal with a more open, but also more complex, cultural environment, where, in different Member States as well as within each Member State, different cultural identities and beliefs coexist,

— highlighting intercultural dialogue as an opportunity to contribute to and benefit from a diverse and dynamic society, not only in Europe but also in the world,

— raising the awareness of all those living in the EU, in particular young people, of the importance of developing an active European citizenship which is open to the world, respects cultural diversity and is based on common values in the EU as laid down in Article 6 of the EU Treaty and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, highlighting the contribution of different cultures and expressions of cultural diversity to the heritage and ways of life of the Member States.

Further information: European Year of Intercultural Dialogue (2008)