Cultural Workshop in Paris Hopes to Bridge Divide Between West and Muslim World

April 28, 2006

Source: Middle East Online

http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=16342

On April 28, 2006 Middle East Online reported, "France is launching a 'cultural workshop' starting in September in a bid to promote understanding between the West and the Islamic world, the diplomat in charge of the project said Thursday. The workshop, which is the brainchild of French President Jacques Chirac, will hold its first session in Paris on September 13-15, ambassador-at-large Jacques Huntzinger said. Huntzinger, in Doha to attend an inter-faith dialogue, said the workshop aims at 'countering the risk of the development of misunderstandings, prejudices and fear among peoples and civil societies' on the two banks of the Mediterranean. According to a presentation of the project, the second session will be held in the Spanish city of Seville February 7-9, 2007 and the third in the Egyptian port of Alexandria in June next year. Participants in the 'dialogue of peoples and cultures' will come from non-governmental organizations although organizers will seek the support of the governments concerned."