1 Europe of Cultures Forum Adriatic - Ionian Chapter Creating a Network of Cultural Antennas in Adriatic-Ionian countries and Neighbouring regions Ms Maria Ovale Member of the Board 9th PLENARY SESSION “Adriatic Europe: perspectives and opportunities of cross-border cooperation for the period ” PESCARA September 2007

2 Europe of Cultures Forum Adriatic and Ionian Chapter What is it ? An inter-regional chapter of the international non-profit organization «Europe of Culture Forum I.n.p.a», based in Brussels, Belgium { A Civil Society Organisation (CSO) under Greek law Registered office: Corfu {Alepohori Kamaras, Municipality of Achilleion} Rep office in Athens Coverage of the Adriatic-Ionian region – countries and cities with coasts on these seas, namely: Greece, Albania, Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia- Herzegovina, Croatia, Slovenia, Italy + neighbouring countries (Balkans, Mediterranean)

3 Europe of Cultures Forum Adriatic and Ionian Chapter Cultural Antennas or Antennas – informal local branches in cooperation with local NGOs, municipalities etc. – reflect the cultural identity of each region in a European level – Existing C.As –Sept ’06: Antenas launched in Corfu town and Lefkimmi (southern Corfu) –May ’07: Preveza –June ’07: Saranda (Albania) –Summer ’07: preparatory meetings in several Greek cities and Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia, Italy – AICA.Net: Adriatic-Ionian Cultural Antennas Network – Launched in 2007

4 Europe of Cultures Forum Adriatic and Ionian Chapter Our Vision to transform this "virtual" region of Europe into a place where all its citizens will be aware of possessing a common European citizenship, originating from common values, aims and commitments towards a democratic procedure, while respecting the particular cultural identities of every citizen and ensuring the tolerance among cultures that can be caused by racial, religious, linguistic, and other differences. Our Mission to protect, promote and ensure the understanding and respect of the cultural diversity - that we consider is the cultural wealth of Europe, and to create a platform which can be utilised by any organisation, citizen, or public institution in order to contribute in a better understanding and in protecting this unique cultural heritage by activating local cultural 'antennae' in every area.

5 Why another Adriatic & Ionian Forum Main goal Strengthening the feeling of a common European cultural identity along with common values, goals and commitments for a democratic procedure –without threat to the specific cultural identities of the citizens. Contributing to the need of successfully dealing with the challenge of Europe finding the suitable devices –through research, analysis, discourse and dialogue, Fighting the lack of tolerance between cultures –eventually caused by differences between races, languages, religions and the like.

6 Europe of Cultures Forum Adriatic and Ionian Chapter Innovative operation methods Multilingual website EN-GR (soon also in IT, AL, +): Members from all countries in the region + citizens who wish to join us Operation based on the Internet –Electronic voting for Board of Directors elections and decision taking –Information of members through website (Greek and English +) –Live broadcast of Board of Directors meetings

7 Particular goals -2 Contributing to the intercultural dialogue within Europe and worldwide, so as to boost mutual understanding, respect and tolerance. Contributing to the conception, development, implementation, awareness, diffusion and promotion of ideas, initiatives,programmes, projects and action in the region –that regard mainly culture, in its broad sense, sustainable development and information and knowledge society. Boosting research and study of interaction of the aforementioned initiatives with policies, programmes and action in the region Adriatica - Ionian Sea, with emphasis on –regional development, culture and art, tourism, economy, research and technology development and innovation, lifelong learning, country-citizen relations and government, as well as their repercussion on society.

8 Chapter’s Focus Connection and cooperation with international, European, regional and public and private national organizations –definitely non-profit organizations, foundations etc., as well as similar citizens' initiatives in the region, in Greece and abroad. Support of public and private institutions, professional and scientific unions and organizations, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and citizens' organizations –in the region, in Greece and abroad, for the taking of initiatives regarding the company's goals. Diffusion of the results of relevant research to broader groups of citizens, institutions and foundations –priority to people and institutions in the broader region of Adriatica-Ionian Sea and the Mediterranean basin.

9 Activities Kick-off intl’ conference in Corfu (July 2006) Survey on cultural issues in Ionian region (linked to municipal elections on ) –Electoral programmes of candidate mayors/prefects –Opinion survey cultural organisations Develop a database/network of cultural organisations Develop joint proposals for regional inter-cultural projects –INTERREG III Italy (Puglia) – Greece (Ionian / Western Greece) –InterCultura.Net with Ionion University Meetings with local authorities

10 Activities 2007 Attract new members form ALL 8+ countries Create regional/local CULTURAL ANTENNAS –Sept ’06: Antenas launched in Kerkyra and Lefkimi, Corfu –May ’07: Preveza –June ’07: Saranda (Albania) April ’07: Launch 1 st electronic newsletter Develop Multi-annual Cooperation Framework

11 Activities Awareness raising and information activities Research and Development projects –Digital Adrion: «Adriatic – Ionian cultural heritage promotion and research for mutual cultural characteristics through analysis and utilisation of existing digitised cultural material of cultural societies and public institutions » –Gnossis: European scientific tradition: sciences, culture and citizens Cultural identities and European Citizenship Series of seminars, workshops –CULT-ID: Creating an Cultural Tourism Network on European Identity Creating a network of info and reference points regarding cultural tourism in Adriatic-Ionian virual region –City Seven Arts: –Valorise content and events in small and medium cities and make museums, writers, actors, artists, dancer known to new audiences through interchange of the cultural manifestation and the know how of each institution. –AICA.Net: Adriatic-Ionian Network of Cultural Antennas Development of a Cultural Antennas cultural cooperation network

12 «Europe of Cultures Forum –Adriatic and Ionian Chapter» For Information + Membership and participation in the activities of the Forum Tel/Fax: Mob: