The main purpose for the First Virtual Local Dialogue Platform meeting was to exchange practices and methodologies for a local-level Intercultural dialogue approach and to collect different experiences and knowledge from actors operating in cities around the Euro-Mediterranean. These practices and methodologies can be a basis for the promotion of active dialogue with a broad stakeholders’ engagement at the local level.

The meeting aimed also to support further collaboration and facilitate cross-cultural encounters between public authorities and civil society organizations combating negative stereotypes and tackling polarization.

Furthermore and more broadly, the Local Dialogue Platforms also aim to create a wider network consisting of national, regional and international actors on both shores of the Mediterranean. This network in turn will offer the possibility to exchange ideas and good practices on new trends, long-term strategies and methodologies for promoting an inclusive intercultural dialogue in the Euro-Mediterranean.

While the Anna Lindh Foundation supports the regional exchange dimension, in the medium and long term the purpose is to establish systemic local dialogue platforms involving local and regional authorities, civil society representatives, educators, academics.

During the meeting the following objectives stimulated and guided the discussion:

● Exchanging good practices for cultural diversity management and dialogue
promotion across the Euro Med region
● Encouraging collaborations between local authorities and civil society
organizations in the implementation and promotion of intercultural policies and
practices
● Supporting the involvement of young people, women, marginalized groups,
migrants and refugees in the development of initiatives, promotion of
intercultural relations
● Identifying and discussing new trends, methods and priority areas of work for
the promotion of intercultural dialogue.

See the attached file for the concept note and a post-event report. Furthermore, a participants list will be uploaded on this page soon.