18/02/2011 Culture, Science, Education and Media
“Cultural and religious diversity has become a source of anxiety, fear and tension in Europe, and even more outside the continent. Divisions have sprung up, which seem to have been exacerbated, amongst other things, by the different visions of society offered by each religion. We are confronted almost daily with problems of understanding and more and more instances of intolerance, rejection and violence, which destroy social cohesion and even stability and peace,” said Anne Brasseur (Luxembourg ALDE) at a hearing held in Paris by the Culture Committee, to provide input for a report to be prepared on the religious dimension of intercultural dialogue.
“Not only believers but also atheists, agnostics, sceptics and the unconcerned must be able to identify with the values that unite us at the Council of Europe. Pluralism, tolerance and broadmindedness are the cardinal values of all democracies. Enshrined as it is in the European Convention on Human Rights, freedom of thought, conscience and religion is one of the foundations of our democratic societies, alongside freedom of expression,” added Ms Brasseur.
In Ms Brasseur’s view, a structured, permanent Council of Europe mechanism for interfaith dialogue, measures to promote education on religions and the incorporation of interfaith dialogue into teacher training would be effective means of fostering religious pluralism.
The hearing was attended by about forty people, including parliamentarians, experts and representatives of various religious authorities. Ms Brasseur’s report is due for discussion on 12 April at the spring session of the Parliamentary Assembly.