Mezinárodní konference národních komisí pro UNESCO s názvem „Euro-arabský dialog:  Příspěvek k novému humanismu“,  (International Conference of National Commissions for UNESCO - “Euro-Arab Dialogue: Contribution to a New Humanism”) se uskuteční ve Vídni ve dnech 31. května až 1. června 2012.

Dále se přikládá přepis podrobnější informace včetně kontaktu (Concept Paper) ohledně této mezinárodní konference, jejímž cílem je posílení evropsko-arabského dialogu a spolupráce mj. i v souvislosti s Úmluvou o ochraně a podpoře rozmanitosti kulturních projevů UNESCO.

International Conference of National Commissions for UNESCO

“Euro-Arab Dialogue: contribution to a new humanism”

Vienna (Austria), 31 May-1 June 2012

Concept Paper  Introduction

The Euro-Arab Dialogue (EAD) was launched at the initiative of the Tunisian

National Commission for Education, Science and Culture and the German

Commission for UNESCO, during a meeting on the sidelines of the 46th

International Conference on Education “Education for all for learning to live

together” held in September 2001 in Geneva.

The main objective of this dialogue is to encourage the civil society

components and social players to support the education for learning to live

together by means of co-operation mechanisms between the Arab and

European regions' National Commissions and joint cooperative projects.

The EAD initiative was welcomed and joined by a large number of National

Commissions in both regions and various activities were jointly and

individually developed over the past ten years.

In early 2010, the Task Force of National Commissions for Euro-Arab

Dialogue (TF) was established to revitalize this decade-old initiative. Since

then, two TF meetings were held successively in Paris (France) and Muscat

(Oman) to review the progress of the EAD and to propose a new action plan

for the years to come. Following these two meetings, a need was felt to

convene an International Conference involving all National Commissions in

the two regions as well as related partners and networks to adopt a

Declaration and an Action Plan.

Purpose of the Conference

The International Conference entitled “Euro-Arab Dialogue: Contribution to a

New Humanism” is organized by UNESCO in cooperation with the MBI Al

Jaber Foundation and with the support of the Austrian Commission for

UNESCO.

The objectives of this Conference are to:

1. Reflect on key aspects of the Euro-Arab Dialogue (from educational,

media and cultural points of view) to generate innovative thinking and

future action for this dialogue;

2. Review the work initiated under the Euro-Arab Dialogue over the past

10 years by the National Commissions from both regions and examine

how UNESCO’s Secretariat can provide support to this National

Commissions’ cross-regional project;

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3. Bring together the main partners of this initiative with a view to

promoting international co-operation based on exchanging

information, sharing experiences and best practices, taking into

account the recent changes in the regions;

4. Foster closer links and relevance between the EAD projects and

initiatives and UNESCO’s strategy on promoting the concept “New

Humanism”;

5. Promote joint actions and close coordination of activities implemented

by National Commissions and their international and regional

institutions such as UNESCO, ISESCO, ALECSO, ABEGS, the Arab

League, Council of Europe, and the European Commission;

6. Encourage the participation of public and private partners such as

Regional Centres, NGOs, foundations, etc.;

7. Enhance the visibility of this initiative and results achieved over the

past decade;

8. Examine and adopt a Declaration and an Action Plan guiding the future

activities of the EAD.

Venue and Date

Grand Hotel Wien, Vienna, Austria from 31 May to 1 June 2012.

Participants

Representatives and experts of National Commissions for UNESCO from two

regions, relevant regional intergovernmental organizations and the civil

society partners will be invited to this Conference.

- National Commissions will include all Member States of Europe and

Arab regions.

- Regional Intergovernmental Organizations will include Council of

Europe, European Commission, ISESCO, ALECSO, ABEGS and Arab

League.

- Regional Centres, Related Networks and Civil Society Partners will

include European Wergeland Center, North-South Center, UNESCO

Catalonia Center, Anna Lindt Foundation, UNESCO Clubs of Arab

States and Europe, UNESCO-NGO Liaison Committee, FARPED, PACE,

MBI Al Jaber Foundation.

- UNESCO Secretariat will include ERI, BSP, ED, SHS, CLT, IBE.

Preparatory Committee

The Preparatory Committee will consist of representatives of the National

Commissions of Austria, Poland, France, Slovenia, Germany, Oman, Egypt,

Tunisia, Lebanon, Morocco, UNESCO Secretariat (Section of National

Commissions and Related Networks) and the MBI Al Jaber Foundation.

The Preparatory Committee should meet as necessary and communicate

through e-mail to examine issues related to the Euro-Arab Dialogue, propose

the draft agenda and coordinate the preparation of this Conference.

Funding

The MBI Al JABER Foundation which has been closely associated with

UNESCO’s activities relevant to the Euro-Arab Dialogue, is providing the

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necessary funding for the organization of this Conference, including (the

needed) international travel expenses for special guests, lecturers and those

participants from National Commissions requiring this, local transportation,

simultaneous interpretation, documentation as well as accommodations and

hospitality for one participant per country.

Working Languages

The Conference will be held in Arabic, English and French with simultaneous

interpretation.

Documentation

The following working documents will be sent out to the participants and

related partners prior to the Conference in available language versions:

- Summary Report of the 1st Meeting of the Task Force of National

Commissions for Euro-Arab Dialogue (Paris, 27-28 January 2010)

- Summary Report of the 2nd Meeting of the Task Force of National

Commissions for Euro-Arab Dialogue (Muscat, Oman, 23 January

2011)

- Draft Terms of Reference of the Euro-Arab Dialogue (TOR)

- UNESCO’s New Humanism Brochure

- DG’s Opening Addresses at the 1st and 2nd Meetings of TF meeting

for Euro-Arab Dialogue

- PowerPoint Presentation on Euro-Arab Dialogue

- Final Report of the Meeting of National Commissions on the

Comparative Study of History Textbooks (Council of Europe,

Strasbourg, 30-31 March 2010)

- Concept Paper to define the basis and key ideas for education

resources to work on the teaching of identity in schools

- Summary of discussions of the Task Force during 36th session of

the General Conference

- Paper on MBI Al Jaber Foundation’s contribution to Euro-Arab

Networks and Dialogue

At the venue of the Conference, facilities will be made available for the

various participants and partners to display the documentation they might

wish to exhibit on their activities relevant to the Euro-Arab dialogue.

Contact

Section of National Commissions and Related Networks (ERI/NAC)

Sector for External Relations and Public Information

UNESCO

Tel: +33-(0)1 45 68 12 88/57

Fax: +33-(0)1 45 68 55 40

E-mail: natcom@unesco.org

Website: www.unesco.org/en/national-commissions

7, place de Fontenoy

75352 Paris 07

France

More detailed Provisional Agenda will be forwarded shortly.