Over the past decades, many international organizations have played an important role in promoting peace and stability through increased cross-cultural understanding. Sustained efforts have been deployed by a number of multilateral organizations and UN agencies to improve knowledge of cultural, ethnic, linguistic and religious diversity and to promote respect, understanding and peaceful coexistence among people of different cultures and faiths.
Although many partnerships have been formed between international and multilateral organizations engaged in promoting intercultural dialogue and cross-cultural work, many programs remain isolated and more could be achieved by linking some of these initiatives, expanding them beyond their regional reach and maximizing their visibility and impact on the ground.
It is important to explore how organizations like the Alliance of Civilizations, operating within the UN system and fostering partnerships worldwide, can support that process in giving it political momentum, unity of purpose, and common goals for action. Accordingly, the Alliance has developed memoranda of understanding that detail terms and areas of cooperation between the Alliance and various partner organizations. These are listed below.
Anna Lindh Euro-Mediterranean Foundation for the Dialogue Between Cultures: Memorandum of Understanding
Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO): Memorandum of Understanding
Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP): Memorandum of Understanding (Portuguese), Plan of Action (Portuguese)
Council of Europe: Memorandum of Understanding
European Union (EU): Letter and Action Plan from European Commission and Council, Response from AoC High Representative
La Francaphonie: Memorandum of Understanding (French)
Ibero-American General Secretariat (SEGIB): Memorandum of Understanding English/Spanish
International Labour Organization (ILO): Declaration of Intent (French)
International Organization for Migration (IOM): Memorandum of Understanding, Plan of Action
Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO): Memorandum of Understanding
League of Arab States: Memorandum of Understanding
Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC): Memorandum of Understanding English/Arabic/French
Union Latine: Memorandum of Understanding (French)
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO): Memorandum of Understanding
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR): Memorandum of Understanding
United Cities and Local Governments: Memorandum of Understanding