Workshop "Civil Society participation in Intercultural dialogue", Padua, 9 -10 May 2011

In the framework of its thematic network activities on capacity building and curriculum development in the area of intercultural dialogue and multi-level governance the Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence organizes 9-10 May 2011 a 2 days-Workshop on "Civil Society Participation in intercultural dialogue".

Focus is on the relevance of civil society practices in intercultural dialogue seen from a comparative European perspective. Special attention will be given to the role of civil society in cultural dialogue with the analysis of a few case studies and practices from international development cooperation.

The WS is structured in three work sessions:

• Session 1 will deal with "Civil Society and Cultural dialogue: a dialogue in cultures";
• Session 2 presents a number of case studies in comparative perspective;
• Session 3 illustrates concrete (innovative/alternative) practices of intercultural dialogue-building in international development cooperation.

Among the speakers of the WS are Mrs. Gemma Aubarell (Head of Programme Coordination Unit, Anna Lindh Euro-Mediterranean Foundation, Alexandria, Egypt), Vesna Čopič (Lecturer, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ljubljana), Raj Isar (Professor of Cultural Policy Studies, the American University of Paris), John Farina, (Professor, Department Religious Studies, George Mason University, USA), Michael Thoss (Head of the Allianz Cultural Foundation, Munich), Manuel Manonelles (Director of Barcelona Office Culture of Peace Foundation) Robin Wilson (leading international policy analyst and commentator on intercultural dialogue, Belfast) and Antonella Valmorbida (Director, Association of the Local Democracy Agencies, Council of Europe).

The Workshop takes place in the Aula Nievo and is open to the general public.

Programme

Monday 9, 2011
Palazzo del Bo /Aula Nievo
14.30-17.30

Welcome Addresses

Marco Mascia, Jean Monnet Chair, Director, Interdepartmental Centre on Human Rights and the Rights of Peoples, University of Padua

Léonce Bekemans, Jean Monnet Chair, Academic Coordinator, Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence, University of Padua

Session I - Civil Society and Cultural dialogue: a dialogue in cultures

Chaired and introduced by Antonio Papisca, Jean Monnet Chair ad honorem, University of Padua

Civil Society in intercultural dialogue: the tension between individual and collective rights
Vesna Copic, lecturer cultural policy and cultural management, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ljubljana & co-author of the "Sharing Diversity", Study on Intercultural Dialogue for the EU (2008)

Civil Society participation in intercultural dialogue: intercultural trends in the Euro-Mediterranean area (challenges, opportunities and future developments)
Gemma Aubarell, Head of Programme Coordination Unit, Anna Lindh Euro-Mediterranean Foundation

Civil Society and Cultural Organizations
Raj Isar, Professor of Cultural Policy Studies, the American University of Paris

Intercultural dialogue as a means for building mutual trust: the role of civil society
Pietro de Perini, doctoral researcher, City University London, and collaborator Interdepartmental Centre on Human Rights and the rights of Peoples, University of Padua

Discussion

Tuesday May 10, 2011
Palazzo Del Bo /Aula Nievo
9.30-12.30

Session II - Case studies in comparative perspective

Chaired and introduced by Enzo Pace, Professor of Sociology, University of Padua

The role of civil society in intercultural dialogue, democracy and governance: a comparative perspective
Robin Wilson, leading international policy analyst and commentator on intercultural dialogue, Belfast

The role of religion in civil society and intercultural dialogue: a cross cultural and comparative perspective
John Farina, Professor, Department Religious Studies, George Mason University, USA

Increasing role of Foundations in intercultural and youth activities
Micheal Thoss, Head of the Allianz Cultural Foundation, Munich

Civil society and the promotion of a Culture of Peace
Manuel Manonelles, Director of Barcelona Office Culture of Peace Foundation

Local democracy and citizen's participation: practices in comparative perspective.
Antonella Valmorbida, Director, Association of the Local Democracy Agencies (ALDA), Council of Europe

Discussion

Tuesday May 10, 2011
Palazzo del Bo / Aula Nievo 
15.00-17.30

Session III - Intercultural dialogue for a human-centric sustainable development: international cooperation practices

Chaired by Léonce Bekemans, Jean Monnet Chair, Academic Coordinator, Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence, University of Padua

Introduced by Diego Vecchiato, Director, Department of International Relations and Human Rights, Region of Veneto

A human-centric international cooperation approach: the experience and project assessment of the "Agronomi e Forestali Senza Frontiere"
Diego Florian, President AFSF, Padua

Dialogue-building of rural development in Somalia
Elena Pisani, Researcher, Department Land, Environment, Agriculture and Forestry, University of Padua

Community based and context driven architecture for educating deaf children in Burundi
Laurens Bekemans/Ken de Cooman, Architects, Building Case studies, BrusselsCooperation

Architettura Naturale Eco Sociale: A well for the children of San Pedro, Peru
Erika Ebermann Vera, President, ANES, Brugine (PD)

Discussion

Conclusion