#United Nations Aliance of Civilizations

[internationaldayoffriendship]

Address growing cultural divides.

Prior to the meeting, the High Representative had shared preliminary thoughts on the Alliance’s future in a draft annotated agenda (circulated to participants) and suggested the following core sub-themes for discussion:

1) preventive diplomacy and the role of the Alliance in peacebuilding and conflict prevention at large, namely through city diplomacy;

2) promotion of peace and effective engagement with religious communities;

3) the Alliance as a platform to work differently on divisive issues.

In addition, participants were invited to share views on the National Strategies for Cross-Cultural Dialogue. The Ministers, in turn, took the opportunity to report on national developments, in particular the appointment of Focal Points for the Alliance-related matters and the implementation of initiatives in line with the Alliance’s objectives.