Bakhtyar Aljaf, Director of IFIMES – the International Institute for Middle East and Balkan Studies, Ljubljana, participated upon the invitation of the Ministry of European and Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Austria at the Conference »Europe and the Arab World - Connecting Partners in Dialogue«, which took place in Vienna, December 17 – 19, 2008.
The Conference was opened by H.E. Dr. Michael Spindelgger, the Austrian Minister of Foreign Affairs, with participation of the Secretary General of the Arab League H.E. Amr Moussa and H.E. Prince of Saudi Arabia Turki Alfaisal Al- Saud as well as Ministers and high representatives from Europe and the Arab World. Parallel to the Conference, Director Aljaf met on a bilateral basis with numerous representatives of various countries and organizations.
The topics of the working groups on 17 and 18 December and the round table on ministerial level on 19 December included the importance of civil society and the management of pluralism for sustainable development and lasting peace, the promotion of intercultural dialogue and the participation of young people in politics and society as well as the strengthening of women's role in public life.
Bakhtyar Aljaf presented in his speech, titled “Challenges and Perspectives for Strengthening Civil Society, Citizen’s Rights and Citizenship in Europe and the Arab World – Conceptual Approaches” views of the Institute regarding the topic of the Conference as well as proposed some policy recommendations.
The beginnings to our discussion spread back to the EU Salonika summit from June 2002. In Salonika a new European strategy for new relations with the Arab world was adopted. This new strategy is based on the facts from the region (crisis of the peace process in the Middle East – influence of the September 11th, illegal migrations, etc.).
The EU and USA have two approaches of strengthening the civil society and democratization of the Middle East.
The USA has a military approach (Iraq, Afghanistan) while the EU is putting into practice the political cooperation and partnership with the Middle East countries.
The last visit, 18.11.2008 of Michael Rayn (EU counselor of political, economic, trade, information and cultural affairs at the delegation) in Cairo at the conference “Moral obligations of the civilian society in the Arab world” announced the European politics towards the Middle East.
The EU wishes to strengthen its connection with the civil society, as well to improve the judicial system.
Cooperation with the economical-social counsel of the EU in all segments of society (government, campaigns, syndicates, etc.) has a goal the transfer of knowledge from the EU onto some countries (Jordan, Palestine, Egypt).
In February 2008, while Slovenia was presiding over the EU, we hosted the forum on Muslim integration into the European society. The emphasis was on Muslim women and their integration into the working environment, politics and other social structures.
Several questions arise concerning with distrust of the migrants towards the society they are living in. What is the cause behind this? Is it economical? Social? Cultural?
RECOMMENDATIONS:
There is a need for capacity and awareness building among the Population about the implications of citizenship. Citizenship education should contribute to a better understanding both among the population and governments about what it means to be a citizen.
Training for public servants, including exchange programs between Europe and the Arab world should be established, in order to create a better understanding among civil servants how to fulfill their role and serving the population.
Civil society organizations play an important role both as a vis-a-vis governmental actor as well as providing services to the population. There is a need to re-establish and provide services to the population. There is a need to re-establish and strengthen the capacity of NGOs and their networks. Promote networks of civil society organizations within and among individual countries, including exchange programs between Europe and the Arab world.
A close partnership between governments and civil society is considered as a partnership for sustainable development in individual countries and in Europe and Arab world.
Governments should seek regular contacts and dialogue with civil society organizations. Thus building confidence and collaboration, while recognizing their autonomy and important role as advocate and often also in service delivery.
Empowerment of civil society and NGOs should be seen as an important contribution towards strengthening the social fabric and thus the state in general.
The strengthening of the human rights culture can best be achieved in close partnership between governments and civil society, e.g. through integration of civic and human rights education into school curricula.
It is the right and responsibility of civil society to create awareness about human rights and to promote civic and Humans Right Education. The UNESCO manual on Human Rights Education is a concrete contribution to the UN year of Human rights learning and for the creation of increased awareness about human rights. It can serve as a useful tool for concrete training programs generating also close partnership between civil society organizations and governments in both Europe and the Arab world.
Diversity is inherent in all societies in Arab states and in Europe and requires management based on human dignity, equality and no-discrimination.
The existing diversity in social life should be fully reflected in the composition and representation in all states and civil society institutions and organizations.
Governments should share experiences and good practices in mechanisms, policies and programs for inclusion of minority communities in all spheres of public life.
Special efforts shall be made to overcome respective stereotyping of Arabs and Muslims, as well as Europeans, in the media and curricula.
Establish a data base for the collection of good practices of dialogue initiatives.
NGOs shall be fully involved in dialogue initiatives.
