Women as central players for re-launching Regional Dialogue

Women are driving forces for the promotion of intercultural dialogue and social change, the President of the Anna Lindh Foundation André Azoulay has underlined at a Euro-Med gathering of cultural leaders in Casablanca. “Throughout the Mediterranean and Europe, women defend their rights, promote shared values and lead social movements for change, side by side with men,” he said at the official inauguration, attended by civil society from more than 30 Euro-Med countries and representatives of the main institutions of the Union for the Mediterranean. President Azoulay also drew on the findings of the Foundation’s 2010 Report on Intercultural Trends which revealed the leading impact of women as intercultural leaders, underlining that: “They are artists, social leaders, journalists, lawyers, bloggers and trade unionists, and are central players in promoting civic empowerment and fighting all forms of existing inequality.”

The Euro-Med gathering in Casablanca, entitled ‘Women’s Contribution for Dialogue and Change’, is one of the main preparation meetings for next year’s Anna Lindh Forum Mediterranean, which will take place in Marseilles from 4th to 7th April 2013. The Forum, which will bring together more than 1000 youth leaders and civil society organisations, in addition to influential policy-makers, will be a landmark event for relaunching dialogue across the Mediterranean following the Arab Awakening and the social impact of the economic crisis in Europe.