INTERCULTURAL DIALOGUE: CoE, CONFERENCE OF MINISTERS RESPONSIBLE FOR CULTURE IN BAKU FROM TOMORROW

"Intercultural dialogue as a basis for peace and sustainable development in Europe and its neighbouring regions" is the theme of the conference organised by the Council of Europe (COE) in Baku (Azerbaigian) that will be attended by the Ministers responsible for culture from tomorrow (until 3 December) as 2008, the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue, is coming to an end. As the first ministerial level encounter since the publication of the White Paper on Intercultural Dialogue last May, the conference will gather the ministers for Culture of 49 signatory States of the European Cultural Convention; the representatives of the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organisation (ALESCO) and of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (ISESCO). It will also be attended by high representatives of the European Commission, of UNESCO and of other international organisations. The conference will be a chance for ministers and decision makers to examine different approaches to intercultural dialogue and the possibility for a trans-national co-operation through the exploitation of the potential of arts, culture and heritage. The conference will be opened by Azerbaigiani president Ilham Aliyev and COE Secretary General Terry Davis. At the end of the works, a final declaration "the Baku Declaration" will be adopted. ” ” ” ” ” “