Anna Lindh Foundation Forum 2025

UNAOC is an institutional partner at the Anna Lindh Foundation Forum (ALForum 2025), to be held in Tirana, Albania on 18–20 June 2025. The Forum will bring together approximately 1,000 participants, including civil society representative, academic entities, young leaders, media outlets, influential figures, governments and institutions representatives, policymakers and other relevant stakeholders from 43 countries to transform the Euro-Mediterranean region. Learn more

ALForum 2025 Plenary Session: “Bridging Cultures and Religions in the Euro-Mediterranean Region: Reflecting on the UNAOC Two Decades of Dialogue for Humanity”

19 June, 9:00 AM, National Theatre of Opera and Ballet of Albania

UNAOC is organizing a plenary session titled “Bridging Cultures and Religions in the Euro-Mediterranean Region: Reflecting on the UNAOC Two Decades of Dialogue for Humanity” at the Anna Lindh Foundation Forum.

Rationale:

In September 2004, in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks in New York and terrorist attacks that followed in Bali, Madrid, London and İstanbul, the Government of Spain put forth a proposal to launch the ‘Alliance of Civilizations’ initiative to bring the international community together and build bridges between societies, promote dialogue and understanding across nations, cultures and religions. Promoting interreligious and intercultural dialogue was identified as an essential tool in achieving peace and greater understanding and respect among civilizations, cultures, religions and beliefs. Co-sponsored by the Government of Türkiye, the initiative was formally announced and launched by the United Nations Secretary-General a year later.

Today, UNAOC serves as an inclusive multi-stakeholder United Nations platform for advancing the culture of peace and promoting interreligious and intercultural dialogue for peace and mutual respect. The United Nations Member States reaffirmed their support of UNAOC and its role in promoting dialogue as a soft power tool to prevent conflicts in General Assembly resolutions 64/14 of 22 December 2009 and 69/312 of 6 July 2015. Inspired by the values and principles of UNAOC, several Governments developed and launched their national plans and strategies, identifying and implementing a series of actions to prevent tensions and promote interfaith harmony, improve interethnic relations and foster social cohesion. In November 2010, the UNAOC Regional Strategy for the Mediterranean was adopted by Member States in La Valetta, Malta. Leadership of the region extended political will and determination to build bridges in order to promote dialogue and understanding among peoples, cultures, religions and beliefs, and foster a culture of peace in the Mediterranean region; and to reinforce trust, tolerance and respect for diversity through cooperation, partnership and inclusion. Combatting racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, including discrimination against persons based on their religion or belief and incitement to hate, were among the key focuses of activities implemented under the umbrella of the Regional Strategy.

In the framework of the Regional Strategy for the Mediterranean, UNAOC and its partners, including the European Commission, the League of Arab States and the Anna Lindh Euro-Mediterranean Foundation, offered an array of trainings and workshops for journalists reporting across the Mediterranean region. UNAOC implemented a series of Summer Schools and annual editions of the Fellowship Programme, convening young people from across a wide spectrum of cultural, religious and ethnic backgrounds to nurture collaboration and mutual respect, and to break down preconceived stereotypes and biases towards ‘the other’. Under its Youth Solidarity Fund and Young Peacebuilders programmes, UNAOC supported young people’s peacebuilding activities, provided mentorship opportunities and strengthened local organizations to promote peace and social cohesion through interreligious and intercultural dialogue.
The Plenary Session will be held at a critical juncture in global peace and security, which is marked by multiple conflicts and crises that contain identity-based components, exacerbate divisions and erode trust. The Euro-Mediterranean basin harbours over 40 countries with different histories and cultures, and its geographic and geopolitical perspectives are diverse and enrich one another. Strengthening regional unity and cherishing cultural and religious diversity must be the agenda ahead of current and future generations of political leaders in the region.

The Plenary Session will examine the current dynamics in the Euro-Mediterranean, exploring opportunities for stronger regional cooperation, grounded on the values of trust and unity. It will highlight the impact of flagship activities of UNAOC in the Euro-Mediterranean that addressed the root causes of conflicts and promoted peace and social cohesion through interreligious and intercultural dialogue. It will also explore the means through which the United Nations could meet the aspirations of the Euro-Mediterranean region and around the globe, for more resilient, more connected and more dynamic societies.

Held in Tirana, the Mediterranean Capital of Culture and Dialogue 2025, the Plenary Session will be an occasion to celebrate the Mediterranean’s cultural richness and history of the interreligious dialogue in Albania. Under the leadership of the Prime Minister, H.E. Mr. Edi Rama, Albania navigates through a historical reconciliation process and fosters its cooperation between the European Union and Western Balkan countries. Cultural and religious harmony, which modern Albania enjoys today, holds particular significance in the current global landscape against the backdrop of growing Islamophobia, antisemitism and other forms of religious intolerance.

Format:

• Opening Remarks: Brief introduction to outline objectives and introduce topics and speakers.
• Panel Discussion: Structured dialogue among speakers.
• Interactive Q&A: Audience engagement with the speakers through moderated discussion.
• Conclusion: Summary of discussions, highlighting key insights and recommendations.