United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) Partner Adyan Foundation’s Cross Cultural Studies Department held an international conference June 2-3, 2011 on Cross Cultural Education in collaboration with Notre Dame University in Zouk Mosbeh, Lebanon. Other partners for the conference included the Anna Lindh Foundation and the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung. Adyan Foundation is a partner of the Alliance’s Education about Religions and Beliefs project, and is actively involved in the Mediterranean Regional Strategy for the UN Alliance of Civilizations.
The conference, held in the framework of the Euro-Med Adyan Understanding Program, relates closely to the goals of the Mediterranean Regional Strategy to encourage partnerships across sectors and person-to-person contacts across cultures and combat all forms of prejudice and stereotypes.
The Cross-Cultural Education Conference, held under the patronage of the Lebanese President, General Michel Sleiman, will featured opening addresses by various dignitaries including the President and the High Representative for the UNAOC, President Jorge Sampaio [YouTube]. It featured experts and practitioners from Europe, the Arab world, and Turkey.
Among the several themes discussed relating to education were:
- Diversity, Intercultural and Interreligious Education
- Education on Cross Cultural Diversity: Mutual Challenges
- Cross Cultural Education and the Transformation of Teacher and Learner Roles
- Interfaith Dialogue and Education on Religions
- Civil Society: Space of Cross-Cultural & Non-Formal Education.