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[14 June 2007] ā Education, the media, youth and migration are at the heart of a two-year plan to bridge the divide between Islam and the West, according toĀ the United Nations āAlliance of Civilisationsā campaign. Speaking to reporters in New York after his meeting with Mr. Ban, Jorge Sampaio, the UN High Representative for the Alliance of Civilisations, explained that the initiative is about ābuilding bridges between societies, promoting dialogue and understanding, and forging collective political will to address the worldās imbalances, tensions and sources of conflict.ā He said the Alliance will be focusing on four main fields of activity ā education, youth, media and migration. āTeaching about other cultures and religions heightens studentsā awareness of the beliefs and traditions that shape other peopleās lives,ā he said. āMedia consists of the most powerful means to promote knowledge about other cultures, understanding [and] mutual respect,ā he noted, adding that migration is āa natural bridge between diverse communities.ā Range of projects The plan presented today sets out a range of projects and initiatives which the Alliance will support and help develop over the next two years, including a media fund to promote productions developed across cultural, religious and/or national lines, a Youth Employment Centre aimed at increasing work opportunities for young people in the Middle East, and a project aimed at expanding international student exchange programmes, according to a press release issued by the Alliance. In addition, the Alliance will establish a ārapid response media-based mechanismā to provide platforms for constructive debate during times of increased tensions around cross-cultural issues. It will also develop an āonline clearinghouseā of best practices, materials and resources on cross-cultural dialogue and cooperation projects. Mr. Sampaio also highlighted the establishment of a āGroup of Friendsā network ā a growing community of over 50 States and international organisations that support its objectives ā to foster partnerships and deepen cooperation on a range of initiatives across different regions. He also drew attention to an international forum, to be held in Spain in January 2008, that will provide āa platform to forge partnerships, launch new initiatives and stimulate projectsā by governments, civil society, donors and the private sector. The forum ā set to become an annual event ā will also evaluate efforts and determine future action. In addition, a voluntary fund will support the Allianceās work. The Alliance of Civilisations was created in 2005 at the initiative of Spain and Turkey and under UN auspices to try to tackle fear and suspicion, bridge divides and overcome prejudices and polarisations between Islam and the West. In April, Mr. Ban appointed Mr. Sampaio, a former President of Portugal, as the first UN High Representative for the Alliance. Further information
pdf: http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=22919&Cr=alliance&Cr1=civil...