OPATIJA OPATIJA, Oct 22 (Hina) - Culture ministers from Council of Europe member-countries attending a conference in Opatija on Wednesday adopted a declaration which places emphasis on the need to maintain balance between the
promotion of diversity and the creation and maintenance of harmonic relations in all segments of society.
OPATIJA, Oct 22 (Hina) - Culture ministers from Council of Europe
member-countries attending a conference in Opatija on Wednesday
adopted a declaration which places emphasis on the need to maintain
balance between the promotion of diversity and the creation and
maintenance of harmonic relations in all segments of society. #L#
Aware of the rich cultural diversity in Europe, the ministers will
promote dialogue as a result of diversity and basis for conflict
prevention, reads the document.
The declaration calls for the promotion of the cultural dimension
of democratic society, faster implementation of cultural policies
through cooperation with all cultural factors, and ensuring
freedom of expression of different types of art that are promoted by
individuals or special groups. The ministers have also bound
themselves to support intercultural policies and practice and
protect material and non-material heritage.
They condemn all forms of forcible assimilation and have undertaken
to strengthen cooperation between government institutions, the
private sector, and civil society.
The goal of the declaration is to define responsibilities and the
role of culture ministers in creating conditions for intercultural
dialogue to prevent conflicts and facilitate post-conflict
reconciliation.
The conference in Opatija, which ended today, pooled 150
participants from 46 countries, including 32 culture ministers.
Representatives of UNESCO and the League of Arab States also
attended the event.
(hina) rml