Council of Europe 2008 Exchange on the religious dimension of intercultural dialogue

Strasbourg, 8 April 2008

Speech by Vice President Dubravka Suica Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of theCouncil of Europe

Teaching religious and convictional facts

Mr Chairman,

Distinguished Permanent Representatives,

Distinguished Guests,

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

In the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, which I represent today as its Vice-President, we believe that the cultural and social dimension of religions calls for, and legitimises, the involvement of our communities and local authorities. Local authorities must contribute to the process of discovering other cultures, by observing cultural similarities and differences, understanding those whose outlook is at variance with local custom and practice and disseminating and sharing this information. They can do so by encouraging the teaching of the full range of religious knowledge, with a view to developing cultural knowledge and religious practices. Such education, provided both at school and through civic religious study centres, will be a key factor in fostering greater openness and a quest for knowledge.

Religious confessions today influence the way in which social relationships in our societies and within our communities are regulated, and hence the future of the political system, starting at the local level. This influence is now more critical than in the past, and  requires such confessions to adopt the Council of Europe's fundamental principles stipulating that cultural diversity is an economic, social and political asset, and that intercultural dialogue must be based on respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law. It reflects the most ancient and most fundamental form of democratic exchange. It is an antidote to rejection and violence.

Intercultural dialogue, as envisaged by the Council of Europe in its White Paper on this subject, is based on exchanges and mutual respect. The Congress, which made fostering intercultural and interreligious dialogue one of its top priorities, shares this approach, the approach that "dialogue is an open exchange of views during which individuals or groups from different cultures, while showing respect for each other, gain a better understanding of each other's world view."

It is in this spirit that the Congress organised, in November 2006 in Montchanin, France, a colloquy on the role of local authorities in promoting intercultural and interreligious dialogue. The colloquy adopted in particular twelve principles for local authorities, aimed at improving knowledge and understanding of the local religious situation, promoting understanding between participants in the dialogue, establishing partnerships, and evaluating the effectiveness of the measures taken. These twelve principles form part of the Congress’ contribution to the Council of Europe’s White Paper. The deliberations of this colloquy served as the basis for the recent Congress publication, “Gods in the City”, which I would like to present to you today.

The Congress has also prepared a report on intercultural and interreligous dialogue as an opportunity for local democracy, which is being discussed today by the Committee on Culture and Education meeting in Kazan, Russian Federation. The report will be submitted to the Congress plenary session in May.

In February last year, the Congress sent out to territorial communities a questionnaire on intercultural dialogue in the light of the preparation of the White Paper. Without going into detail, I would like to point out that the replies received reflected a wide range of initiatives based on a new understanding of the need for intercultural dialogue at the local and regional level which, in turn, was spurred by growing immigration and the need for integration and reconciliation between ethnic groups.

These are just some steps taken by the Congress so far, but we are pursuing our efforts in the firm belief that intercultural and interreligious dialogue must begin in our cities and our regions.

Thank you.