Municipal leaders and representatives from more than a dozen cities around the world gathered in La Courneuve, France on 13 and 14 November to exchange ideas on strengthening interculturalism in urban spaces during the third iteration of UNAOC’s “City Dialogue” series.
Entitled “La Courneuve Dialogue: Building Intercultural Cities”, the event was organized by the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and the municipality of La Courneuve, highlighting the role of cities in creating safe havens for multiculturalism to thrive. Interactive discussions, hosted at the Diplomatic Archives of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, delved on such themes as advancing intercultural dialogue; using sport as a tool for dialogue and inclusion; the role of citizen engagement in intercultural dialogue; and, the challenges of gender equality in intercultural contexts.
More than 100 participants, including delegates from cities across the globe, representatives from international organizations, researchers, athletes and civil society leaders, took part in the City Dialogue in La Courneuve, which is located about 8 kilometers from the center of Paris.
In his remarks to La Courneuve Dialogue participants, High Representative of UNAOC, Mr. Miguel Moratinos, stressed the need for an innovative and enduring multilateralism that recognizes cities as important partners and he highlighted the key role municipalities play in peacebuilding and reconciliation strategies.
Mr. Nicolas Chibaeff, Director of the Diplomatic Archives Center of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, opened the event by pointing out that cities are at the forefront of efforts to enhance global solidarity, peace and fundamental rights.
Mr. Gilles Poux, Mayor of La Courneuve, called on those in attendance to advance political commitments to municipal strategies that foster intercultural dialogue and durable peace and security for all.
Ahead of the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games, sports took centerstage during the two-day event, with guided tours of prominent Olympic sporting venues, encounters with La Courneuve sport associations, and a special discussion with renowned Olympic basketball champion Ms. Diandra Tchatchouang.
Notably, the La Courneuve Dialogue also featured a special presentation by youth participants of “News Generation Against Hate”, a joint initiative of UNAOC and the municipality of La Courneuve, which empowers young people to combat misinformation, hate speech, and stereotypes by promoting mutual respect and intercultural understanding in the media.
The event’s keynote remarks were delivered by Mr. Tony Estanguet, President of the Paris 2024 Organizing Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, and Mr. Philippe Rio, Mayor of Grigny, France and co-chair of the Social Inclusion, Participatory Democracy and Human Rights Committee of United Cities and Local Governments.
The La Courneuve Dialogue followed successful editions of the City Dialogue series organized by UNAOC in Seville, Spain in 2021 and Los Angeles, United States in 2020.