Context

In November 2006 the High-Level Group of the Alliance of Civilisations (www.unaoc.org), an initiative launched in 2005 by the United Nations and co-sponsored by Spain and Turkey, released its conclusions. The aim of the report is to respond to the broad consensus across nations, cultures and religions that all societies are interdependent, bound together in their development and security, and in their environmental, economic and financial wellbeing.

The report concludes that the key reasons for the growing divide between Muslim and Western societies are not religious but political. Then UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan stated that, “We need to get away from stereotypes, generalisations and preconceptions, and take care not to let crimes committed by individuals or small groups dictate our image of an entire people, an entire region, or an entire religion.”

These findings are just one of many attempts to understand, analyse and address the “clash of civilisations” and societal disintegration, as identities are challenged, communities break down and poverty fosters exclusion and humiliation. These issues touch every country and community in the world. Italy is no exception - with a history of empire, exploration and emigration and current issues around immigration, identity and values. Italy like its European and Mediterranean neighbours is grappling with how to be an integrated and civilised society.

The Role of the Media and Communication

As the report emphasises, the media is perhaps the most powerful force today in shaping our understanding of events and peoples in the world around us. Media professionals can reframe images and perceptions so as to better reflect the diversity that exists within communities and to improve the prospects for cooperation and harmony between them.

One year after the launch of the report, and as the challenges continue to mount, the IPS Support Group will be an opportunity for reflection on the role of media and communication in bridging the gap between peoples. Some of the key questions to address can be:

• How can media professionals contribute to dialogue between civilizations and what does this mean for their daily work in terms of themes, sources, and use of language;

• What are the lessons we can learn from media reporting of conflict and post-conflict countries and regions including Afghanistan, Lebanon and the Middle East;

• The role of inter-faith initiatives and dialogue between religions and their prominence in the mainstream media – how are journalists equipped to report on inter-cultural issues:

• How can we tackle the issues of journalists training, more translation to bridge language divides and ensuring enough overarching media independence. professionalism and plurality;

• What new media networks and alliances with other sectors like civil society do we need to foster to create the capacity and momentum to support dialogue between civilizations, and the ongoing implementation of the Report.

The invited audience, keynote speakers and panellists will be drawn from communication professionals, academia, civil society, government, faith communities and international institutions.

Federico Mayor Zaragoza, former head of UNESCO and co-President of the High Level Group will be invited to address the meeting. Other speakers and panellists being considered include the Rev William Vendley, SG of the World Conference on Religion and Peace (WCRP), the foreign Minister of Portugal (EU Presidency in November 2007), high-level representatives from Turkey and from Al Jazeera, the mould-breaking news operation of the Arab world.

The outcomes of the Support Group meeting will be contributed to the ongoing work of the Alliance of Civilisations, which placed particular emphasis on the role of media.

PROGRAMME
SPEAKERS BIOGRAPHIES