Report from informal members’ meeting ”Platform for Intercultural Europe” 11th of November in Stockholm Helena Faxgård Communication Manager Swedish Performing Arts

Background Platform of Intercultural Europe was initiated in 2006 by a number of European organizations. The Platform aims to contribute to four levels of change in Europe: –attitudinal – leading to a greater appreciation of diversity and the complexity of identities, –social – working towards democratic inclusion and greater equity, –structural - building capacities for change within organizations and constituencies in view of diversity, and –policy changes – working for change at all levels, with the EU as the key communication point; enhancing standards and frameworks to tackle exclusion, inequalities and breaches of human rights related to cultural diversity. Aims to help overcome sectoral divisions by including all sectors in the debate, from education to social and youth policies, from public spheres and governance to human rights policies and arts and culture. The platform initiated the Rainbow Paper as an answer to the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue 2008

The Rainbow Paper Contains recommendations to civil society organizations and to the European Union on how to practice respect for cultural diversity. Originally conceived as a two-year initiative. Given the political elevation of partner in the Structured Dialogue between the EU and the cultural sector a continuation is planned. The endorsed document was presented to the public and to the EU Council at the closing event of the European Year of Intercultural Dialgue on 17-19th November in Paris. Organizations and individuals are asked to endorse the Rainbow Paper By now, 180 organizations within a wide range of organizations and 140 individuals have signed up.

A short summary of content Part A – an approach to intercultural dialogue. Includes: 3 principles: dialogue, competence, action. 5 steps on how to move from intercultural challenges to interculturalism Value premises A statement for minorities and migration A political mission to make intercultural dialogue part of social change Part B – recommendations. Includes the following topics: education capacity building by organizations monitoring for sustained policies mobilising across boundaries resources

Where they stand now Platform for Intercultural Europe legally established as a membership association The platform one of three partners in the structured dialogue between the EU and the cultural sector (one of the instruments proposed in the Agenda for Culture) Should present its outcomes and make inputs to the Cultural Fora in 2009 and Draws the original plan of concluding the Rainbow Platform shortly after the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue into question. A permanent form of the platform is considered. Focus on influencing the next EU programme and budget period from 2013 To be trustwothy towards the EU, they need more organizations to sign up or later to become members Discussion if they should focus on practical work or political change