Council of Europe Exchange on the interreligious dimension of intercultural dialogue

“The role of the media in fostering intercultural dialogue, tolerance and mutual understanding: freedom of expression of the media and respect towards cultural and religious diversity”

(Abbaye de Neumünster, Luxembourg, 28-29 November 2011)

Speech by Keith Whitmore, President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe

Messrs Co-Chairs,

Deputy Prime Minister,

Secretary General,

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The Council of Europe Exchange on the religious dimension of intercultural dialogue reflects our common political will to pursue debate and search for solutions on this complex issue, which is critical for our increasingly multi-religious societies.

The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities has been actively contributing to this debate and to the Council of Europe action on fostering intercultural dialogue, and I welcome the occasion to keep up this contribution in today’s Exchange. I thank the organisers of this conference, the authorities of Luxembourg, for giving me this opportunity.

The question of interreligious and intercultural dialogue is of crucial importance for the Congress as it lies at the heart of building good relations between different ethnic, cultural and religious groups in our towns, cities and regions. Smooth interaction within a community, interaction among all its constituent parts is a prerequisite for the good functioning of local democracy and an integral part of good local governance.

Intercultural and interreligious dialogue begins at community level, where cultural and religious groups interact with each other most directly in everyday situations – but also where tensions between them are the most tangible. Local and regional authorities play a key role in creating conditions for such dialogue and fostering it.

This was the reason why the Congress elaborated, back in 2006, the twelve principles for local authorities, focusing in particular on the religious dimension of intercultural dialogue and relations between local authorities and different religious groups and organisations. These principles were formulated as a result of a colloquy in Montchanin, in France. The proceedings of this meeting have been brought together in the Congress publication “Gods in the City”.

Drawing on the twelve principles, the Congress adopted recommendations on intercultural and interreligious dialogue as an opportunity for local democracy, in 2008; on the cultural integration of Muslim women in European cities, in 2010; and most recently, on managing intercultural and interfaith tensions at local level, in March this year.

This latest text, while focusing on the relations of local authorities with religious associations and their leaders, referred in particular to stereotypes and distorted perceptions that are fueling mistrust between different religious groups and towards authorities. This is of direct relevance to the theme of our discussions during these two days.

Stereotypes and false information hinder our ability to get a true understanding of the teachings and traditions of other religions and therefore beliefs of their followers, feeding negative attitudes based on distortion and exaggeration. The media, including of course local and regional media, play a critical role in either creating and perpetuating, or dismantling and busting these stereotypes.

Many of the religious issues that have hit the headlines over past years and rose to the level of national debate began indeed as local ones, or had a significant local impact – for example, debates on the proposed mosque near Ground Zero in New York, the construction of minarets, crucifixes in schools or even the production of Nativity plays in primary schools at this time of the year – to mention but a few. We all remember how these issues were presented in the media. With its effect on the popular imagination, with its ability to form and mobilise, but also to manipulate and mislead the public opinion, the media has a very big influence – and a great responsibility in fostering tolerance and dialogue between religious communities. 

One concrete example of what local and regional authorities can and must do to help with mutual understanding is that of the local council in Salford, in the United Kingdom. Several years ago, the Salford council launched a “myth-busting” campaign in the local media to provide correct information on the culture, traditions and the current situation of the Roma population in the community, fighting against the existing prejudice and stereotypes. This campaign has helped considerably to improve relations between Roma and the rest of the local population.

Responsible reporting, and using media as a vehicle to communicate truthful information, is what we need today. Our action will only be successful if we change the attitudes of local citizens and gain their support, community by community. Up to a great extent, it is the battle for the hearts and minds, and the media professionals – owners, editors, reporters – must make a responsible choice of what values they are promoting, and in what kind of communities they want their own children to grow up – diverse, tolerant and intercultural or segregationist, racist and bigoted.  

Ladies and Gentlemen, 

I would like to conclude by stressing that the role of the media in fostering dialogue and tolerance needs to be positive as our societies are becoming more and more multiethnic, multicultural and multi-religious. There are no longer any mono-ethnic States in Europe today, and practically no mono-ethnic cities.

We have always maintained that this diversity is a source of strength and vitality of our continent. However, dealing with it and using its potential for the benefit of everyone represents a major challenge for all levels of governance and society. It is indeed a shared responsibility of many different stakeholders – European institutions, national governments and parliaments, local and regional authorities, civil society and in particular religious organisations, as well as the private sector. The fact that this Exchange has brought together representatives of so many stakeholder groups reflects this reality.

The media is a crucial actor in this process, but the media does not exist in the void. We all must work to engage the media better, to establish relations and partnerships with media professionals, to make sure that the freedom of expression serves not to mislead and divide, but to inspire and unite. 

Thank you.