Early in this New Year, the sudden disappearance of David Sassoli, President of the European Parliament, was a shock to many of us.
His words prefacing the Anna Lindh 2021 Intercultural Trends Report, denote how deeply he cared about our region, and understood the challenges faced by an institution such as ours: “Both Europe and its Mediterranean neighbours must come up with innovative solutions through massive investment in education, with a specific focus on digital and artistic skills which help to develop critical thinking and informed debate.”
President Sassoli’s words resonate as the only possible direction, if we are serious about making true progress when it comes to helping us live together in peace and dignity.
Despite the current challenges and restrictions, the ALF Secretariat and the National Networks still managed to pursue our work virtually like everyone, buoyed as it always is by a strong sense of mission.
The thousands of the Anna Lindh Foundation network members are a formidable force for change. Through their activities, they have the capacity to “do” rather than talk and to “call people in” rather than “call people out”.
The ALF will redouble its efforts and work alongside these networks. The Foundation’s previous Presidents have left us a rich legacy, which our team is working hard to take forward. The Executive Director has proposed an ambitious yet action-oriented work plan and we look forward to seeing its implementation, step by step.
I believe this monthly newsletter, published in English, French and Arabic, embodies that new dynamic. It will help us engage with our partners, as we keep everyone abreast of the various activities carried out by the networks and the secretariat of the ALF, and more importantly, as we shine a light of the impact of these activities on the societies North, South and East of this Mare Nostrum.