The text, entitled A rewarding challenge' and presented in the context of the
European Year of Intercultural Dialogue 2008, should fuel discussion at the first-ever ministerial conference on multilingualism, scheduled for 15 February.
Opening Event of the
European Year of Intercultural Dialogue (2008)
On a visit to Brussels on 6 November, Jansa enumerated his priorities for the first half of 2008: integration of the Balkan states, follow-up of national procedures for ratification of the new Treaty of Lisbon, the Schengen area, continued progress on achieving the Lisbon growth and employment objectives, energy and climate change, and the
European Year of Intercultural Dialogue in 2008.
The awards are part of the framework of the Europe for Citizens Forum 2007', which this year focuses on intercultural dialogue, and helps to usher in the upcoming
European Year of Intercultural Dialogue 2008.
Ministers adopted a resolution on equal opportunities for young people [especially the disadvantaged], said that young people should be invited to participate in the preparation and implementation of the
European Year of Intercultural Dialogue 2008 and agreed that a cross-border framework to facilitate exchanges of good practice between local and regional youth policy players should be set up.
Priorities highlighted for the future include opportunities for cooperation with the Western Balkans through the 2007-2013 Lifelong Learning Programme - notably when it comes to language learning - and the need to make good use of the 2008
European Year of Intercultural Dialogue.an
During the hearing he announced a plan to hold a high level experts seminar (in 2007) on incorporating multilingualism into the 2008
European Year of Intercultural Dialogue and another plan to launch a business forum on multilingualism in the context of the Lisbon strategy for growth and jobs.
The European Commission has tabled a new amended proposal on the
European Year of Intercultural Dialogue in 2008.
The European Parliament has approved a Commission proposal to proclaim 2008
European Year of Intercultural Dialogue. The report by Luxembourg MEP Erna Hennicot-Schoepges (EPP-ED) was approved on 1 June by a large majority (548 votes to 62, with 22 abstentions).
The idea for a
European Year of Intercultural Dialogue is almost off the drawing board, with the Education, Youth and Culture Council set to agree to 2008 being assigned for it during its meeting in Brussels on 18 May.
It will also reach a general approach on a decision establishing 2008 as
European Year of Intercultural Dialogue (see Europolitics 3078).
The European Parliament's Committee on Culture and Education has welcomed the European Commission's proposal to make 2008 the
European Year of Intercultural Dialogue but has made a few amendments, particularly with regard to religion.