MEDITERRANEAN FORUM OF THE YOUNG
ALLIANCE OF CIVILISATIONS AND THE EURO-MEDITERRANEAN PARTNERSHIP
Barcelona,
October 19-21, 2006
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES
We, young people of
the Euro-Mediterranean region, gathered in Barcelona on occasion of the
Mediterranean Forum of the Young Alliance of Civilisations and the
Euro-Mediterranean Partnership, stress our deep concern with the lack of
understanding, the political tensions, the deterioration of international
relations and the increased episodes of violence worldwide.
We
belong to a unique crossroads of civilisations, cultures and exchanges. Young
people are indispensable in constructing the present and in the pursuit of a
better future. We bear the consequences of all decisions of our current leaders,
concerning the coexistence and the respect among the peoples. Our voice must be
heard.
Regardless of our origins or beliefs, we consider that the dialogue amongst
cultures is essential for a better future. The Alliance of Civilisations must be
a tool to strengthen dialogue and a means for cooperation among countries. The
bridge we are building should be based on solid pillars of mutual understanding
and respect.
We can contribute to the process of this Alliance from our experience and
knowledge of a reality, that of civil society, that tends on some occasions to
be left aside. Young people are key in moving from talk to action. We have the
right and the obligation to participate in political decision- making.
Therefore, building on the experiences of the Barcelona Process, which also
participates in the dialogue among cultures, we hereby declare:
Immigration
Immigration can and in the future should have a positive connotation as well as
influence on host countries and is a right of any citizen. However, the
incentives to migrate must be changed from it being a necessity to becoming a
choice. For this to be ensured, the economic as well as political situation in
the countries of origin together with stronger cooperation mechanisms must
improve. In today’s world, immigrant communities as well as host country
civilisations are far from benefiting in the way they could from the unique
chances immigration bears. Immigrant communities, like no other, offer a forum
of intercultural exchange.
Exchange can not take place where there is no means of communication. Amongst
the main challenges of integration of immigrants is the language barrier. We
deem it absolutely necessary that every immigrant, especially children, have
access to and be strongly encouraged to attend free language courses. We call on
all countries to assist all receiving states in order to financially support
these classes. To further promote intercultural learning, we suggest the
creation of a common program for elementary schools on cultural diversity in the
Mediterranean area which teaches shared history and puts special emphasis on
universal values. Dialogue and exchange of cultural knowledge should further be
promoted through urban planning and efforts should be taken to avoid
segregation.
Furthermore, we call on all responsible governments to devote the funds
otherwise allocated to the certain military or intelligence operations, to
support cultural programs. We call on all communities to change their
perceptions about immigrants and to pursue rights-based policies to allow
legalization of undocumented immigrants under fair conditions, in order to
promote the cessation of their economic exploitation.
The future should be shaped by social and financial investments aimed at the
promotion of dialogue rather than of the building of fences.
Youth
Youth is a clear target group for the Alliance of Civilisations. This is because
we influence and are influenced by all topics under its debate. An active
involvement of young people should be foreseen for the successful future
implementation of this initiative.
Youth empowerment through active participation is a basic pillar for the
advancement of our societies. Motivation and equal opportunities are key
elements to achieve full participation and active responsible citizenship.
Young people need effective channels for communication with decision-makers from
the local to the international levels. Resources, opportunities as well as
structures of networking as National Youth Councils and other youth structures
should be enhanced and properly funded.
Good practices to promote active citizenship in the participation
decision-making processes and in the co-management of policies, need to be
structured and encouraged.
Education
Education is the key for development and for breaking barriers to get to know
each other. It is a mechanism of conflict prevention and creation of values such
as democracy, respect and plurality, and it is a basic element to reinforce
social cohesion. Key proposals to advance a common educational framework must
include:
The attention to diversity, such as the promotion of spaces for intercultural
learning and dialogue in schools, based on a neutral, critical and objective
approach and the freedom to choose religious or non-religious education, to
build up understanding and fight stereotypes, intolerance and extremism.
The importance of free and equal access to public education as a pillar for
sustainable development to fight illiteracy, a barrier for dialogue and freedom.
We urge states to fulfill the Second Millennium Development Goal to build a
cultural dialogue and understanding based on a holistic approach, and to update
educational systems.
The complementing nature of formal and non formal education so that there is a
global perspective of the role of education considering transmission of
knowledge, skills and attitudes. It is necessary to understand education as a
life long learning process, and promote specific actions like students and
teachers exchanges.
A minimum common global curricula, such as the promotion of learning of foreign
languages as well as one’s own language, the use of new technologies, the
creation of international texts books commissions based on good practices, the
recognition of degrees or educational background and professional training,
networking and exchange (among schools, universities, youth organizations and
career-oriented), work on human right values, critical thinking and democratic
participation or teaching a media-critical approach.
Gender
The equal contribution of women and men to the advancement of society cannot be
stressed enough. However, women are, in most places, still not treated, or
regarded, as equal partners in society. The problem does not lie only in
politics, but in society’s treatment of women and in the implementation, or the
lack thereof, of existing laws.
Concrete steps are necessary to overcome this reality. The full integration and
participation of women in economic life must be supported by policies leading to
specific measures to ensure equality in the work place, which must include; the
availability of child-care facilities, equal maternity-paternity leave
provisions, encouraging part-time or shared job schemes, balancing the
responsibility of partners at home, equal pay for equal work, or the regulation
of complaints and gender-based discrimination in the workplace through the
establishment of ombudsman.
Human rights, gender-based violence, the global issue of homophobia and the
disparate views of the social role of men and women are a constant in the debate
about equality. The lack of understanding and the biased view of the role of
women in society prevent most of them from fully enjoying their human rights. To
overcome this stigma, we encourage strengthening civil society networking and
capacity building as a means to share cultural-religious practices and adapt
them to the needs and expectations of today’s realities while respecting one’s
traditions and wishes.
Institutional Politics
The term "Alliance of Civilisations" neither implies the fusion of
civilisations, nor is it limited to cooperation at a political level. The
initiative must be as inclusive as possible. It must stress the progress and the
successes which have already been achieved, especially in the Euro-Mediterranean
context which should be a model. As the draft working paper of the Alliance
mentions, it is imperative that neither religion nor culture may be utilized by
governments as a means to impose their views on international policies or
actions.
The "Alliance of Civilisations" will not have to limit itself to promoting
cooperation between political actors, it has the chance to underline the
importance of civil society. As other international initiatives such as the
Barcelona Process improve cooperation, the increased participation of civil
society in the decision-making process, the exchange of expertise, technology or
education can have a similar effect on civil society.
In order to achieve more success on both levels a stronger focus needs to be put
on active municipalities, since at this level civil society and political
institutions work together closest. At an international level there should be a
greater collaboration between the political institutions and civil society.
Social forces within a state should not be underestimated, as positive social
forces can complement and strengthen political institutions.
As the youth component of civil society as well as politically active citizens,
we recognize the challenge of defining "civilisation". Despite the challenges
the Alliance faces, we must acknowledge that it is the Alliance which will
contribute to strengthening the close cooperation between civil societies.
Media
Today’s media is more ubiquitous than ever before. While media institutions have
the potential to exacerbate conflicts and perpetuate cultural misunderstanding,
they can also be used as tools for change. Certain culturally insensitive terms
are often used haphazardly, effectively carrying on the vicious cycle of
intolerance. Drawing on the principles of the Alliance and its promotion of
dialogue, we support professional training and exchange programs for students
and journalists which seek to foster cultural respect. Experience shows that
people on the ground with local understanding of a conflict will often portray
events closer to the truth. It is vital that their voices be heard. The
subsequent increase in the credibility of media outlets whose journalists are
culturally educated will lead to more reliable information spreading through
various regions of the world. Dependable news stories will provide better
analyses of often sensitive topics.
We must encourage media plurality so as to increase the likelihood of a more
objective conclusion being drawn from a multitude of sources. The “New Media” of
the new century brought with it the chance for a myriad of opinions, voices, and
perspectives to be posted and reached by anyone with access to the Internet. We
promote sustainable initiatives to increase and globalize web access to all.
In order to mediate baseless prejudices spawned by fear of the unknown, articles
and documentaries from around the world can be included in domestic media to
show the perspectives of different countries. We support a culture of
self-critique as a fundamental component of objective and ethical journalism. We
wish to maintain our freedom of speech and media without restriction of socially
taboo subjects; instead, our intrinsic respect for the diversity of cultures
will prevent calls for governmental censorship.
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