Algeria
Egypt
Israel
Jordan
Lebanon
Libya
Morocco
Palestine *
Syria *
TunisiaAnna Lindh Foundation unveils MED FORUM programme
September 16, 2016
Share on 
Ahead of Anna Lindh Foundation’s MED FORUM 2016, a launch event has taken place on the theme of “legacy” with a focus on how to further leverage next month’s MED FORUM to support Malta’s strategic role as a connection point between Europe and the Southern Mediterranean, and Valletta’s role as European Capital of Culture and a Mediterranean Capital for Dialogue. The event unveiled for the first time the MED FORUM programme, including its priority themes and high-profile international delegates and partners.
Hosted at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Valletta, the launch was co-led by H.E. Dr George Vella, Maltese Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Ambassador Hatem Atallah, Executive Director of the Anna Lindh Foundation and its International Secretariat in Alexandria, Egypt. In his speech, Minister Vella highlighted the importance of the Anna Lindh Foundation’s work in the region: “In the face of unprecedented cultural aggression and level of violence in the region, Malta views the role of the Anna Lindh Foundation as a beacon of light across the Mediterranean. The Foundation works to restore trust in dialogue and bridge the gaps in mutual perceptions, as well as promoting diversity and coexistence.”
At the presentation, Ambassador Atallah said: “We believe that next month’s MED FORUM will be the milestone to constitute the largest, most significant coalition of actors working for intercultural action across the Mediterranean. It will also be the milestone to define our strategic priorities and flag-ship actions to support the Foundation in assuming its role as reference point of and guardian for intercultural dialogue in the Euro-Med space.”
Taking place on 23-25 October at the Mediterranean Conference Centre (MCC) in Valetta, MED FORUM 2016 has been timed to prepare the ground for Malta’s first EU Presidency and reinforce the centrality of Mediterranean dialogue in facing global challenges of International Security and International Migration. The FORUM is set to be a catalyst for collaboration, creating a far-reaching coalition of regional civil society and institutional players for dialogue. Secretary-generals and high-officials from the United Nations, EU, Arab League, Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), World Leadership Alliance-Club de Madrid, Friends of Europe, UNESCO, and Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the 42 Member States of the UfM have confirmed their presence at the Forum.
The Anna Lindh Foundation for Inter-Cultural Dialogue promotes knowledge, mutual respect and inter-cultural dialogue between the people of the Euro-Mediterranean region, working through a network of more than 3,000 civil society organisations in 43 countries. Its budget is co-funded by the EU (EUR 10 million) and the EU Member States (EUR 6 million). (EU Neighbourhood Info)
Read more
Mediterranean Forum – webpage
Mediterranean Forum – programme
Anna Lindh Foundation – fiche and news
Anna Lindh Foundation – website
