The conference brought together Ministers from the Council of Europe and selected ALECSO and ISESCO member states for an exchange on the theory and practice of intercultural dialogue, based on common ground as defined by the Council of Europe’s core values. The contributions to the conference reflected an interest in extending the debate initiated by the Council of Europe’s White Paper, and the desire to implement some of its practical follow up actions.
The participants of the conference adopted the Baku Declaration, which includes proposals for the effective follow-up to the conference, mainly in the framework of existing Council of Europe structures and activities. The Ministers agreed to promote and strengthen intercultural dialogue, including its religious dimension, at national level as well as between Europe and its neighbouring regions.
The Norwegian delegation was lead by Mr. Halvard Ingebrigtsen, State Secretary in the Ministry of Culture and Church Affairs. At the conference, Mr. Ingebrigtsen participated in the Ministerial Round Table on “Common Ground for Intercultural Dialogue” and the Ministerial Panel on “Cultural Policy Programmes and Initiatives and Intercultural Dialogue: New Concepts on the Governance of Diversity”.
In his Baku Declaration, which includes proposals for the effective follow-up to the conference, mainly in the framework of existing Council of Europe structures and activities. The Ministers agreed to promote and strengthen intercultural dialogue, including its religious dimension, at national level as well as between Europe and its neighbouring regions.
The Norwegian delegation was lead by Mr. Halvard Ingebrigtsen, State Secretary in the Ministry of Culture and Church Affairs. At the conference, Mr. Ingebrigtsen participated in the Ministerial Round Table on “Common Ground for Intercultural Dialogue” and the Ministerial Panel on “Cultural Policy Programmes and Initiatives and Intercultural Dialogue: New Concepts on the Governance of Diversity”.
In his interventions, Mr. Ingebrigtsen emphasized the importance of continuing to promote cultural and religious dialogue in the framework of the Council of Europe, based on the values on which the organisation is built. He also informed about the Norwegian Year of Cultural Diversity, which took place in 2008 and which had as its main purpose to promote cultural diversity as an essential dimension of Norway’s cultural policy.