CDRSEE at First Alliance of Civilization’s South East European Conference

14 December 2009

The CDRSEE took part in the conference organised by the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, which took place in Sarajevo in the Building of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina on 14 December 2009.

The conference was opened by prominent speakers including Mr. Željko Komšić, Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mr. Sven Alkalaj, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mr. Miguel Moratinos, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Spain, Mr. Ahmet Davutoglu, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey, Mr. Milorad Živković, Speaker of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Mr. Jorge Sampaio, UN High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations.

The conference then consisted of a Plenary session entitled “Unlocking diversity to strengthening intercultural dialogue and cooperation in South-Eastern Europe”, followed by Action Network Workshops intended for informed debates on practical ideas and possible projects to be included in the framework of the future Plan of Action for 2010-2012 implementing the Regional Strategy.

The CDRSEE took part in Workshop 1: Education on cultural diversity - Teaching history, which took the form of a discussion based on the quote: “What is the relationship between education, historical memories of violence, and the formation of cultural and national identity? What can and should history education try to achieve in deeply damaged societies to foster development in young people and transformation of attitudes? How can the teaching of history help transitional societies become more democratic?” by Elizabeth Cole and Judy Barsalou. Respondents were given the opportunity to ask questions, make comments and put forward ideas for new projects to be developed and implemented in the region in 2010-2012. In addition to the CDRSEE, respondents counted representatives of the Regional Cooperation Council, the Human Rights House Sarajevo and EUROCLIO.