In the framework of the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue 2008, the European Commission, in partnership with civil society stakeholders, is hosting a series of seven thematic "Brussels Debates" throughout 2008.

The first such debate took place on 5 March at the ResidencePalace, and was organised together with the European Policy Centre (EPC). It focussed on "The Impact of Migration on Intercultural Dialogue", and featured a high-level discussion that provided important input for the EU's future strategy on intercultural dialogue beyond 2008.

The first Brussels Debate focussed on migration and integration under the heading, "Integrating Conversations: The Impact of Migration on Intercultural Dialogue". It was organised in cooperation with the European Policy Centre (EPC). Vice-President of the European Commission, Franco Frattini, took the floor, as well as German MEP Cem Özdemir. Speakers included also Bashy Quraishy, chair of the advisory council of the European Network Against Racism, and Joris Rijbroek, strategic advisor for diversity and integration policy for the city of Amsterdam.

The Debate took place in the Polak Room at the Residence Palace, 155 Rue de la Loi and started at 18.30. Each of the seven debates will be followed by a reception to enable the discussions to continue informally.

The Debates are moderated by Shada Islam, Senior Programme Executive at the EPC and a Brussels-based journalist specializing in EU foreign and development policies, as well as immigration and anti-discrimination issues.

The subsequent Debates will shift the spotlight towards other topics, such as:

• the role of intercultural dialogue in the arts and culture, in
  cooperation with the European Forum for the Arts and
  Heritage (EFAH), and the European Cultural Foundation
  (ECF),
• interreligious dialogue (in cooperation with the EPC),
• multilingualism,
• intercultural dialogue in the workplace,
• intercultural dialogue in education, and
• intercultural dialogue in the media.

According to a recent Eurobarometer survey, almost two-thirds of citizens in Europe have an interest in the European Year's events to promote intercultural dialogue. The Brussels debates expand the possibilities for dialogue at EU level, and their outcomes will feed into shaping the EU's future strategy on intercultural dialogue.

The official website of the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue, http://www.dialogue2008.eu/ provides background papers on each of the seven topics prior to the Brussels debates, as well as follow-up reporting. In addition, an online forum complements each debate. It has already opened one week before the respective debate and closed one week after it. Civil society organisations, academics and other stakeholders are encouraged to share their knowledge and experience related to the topic of each debate in this forum.

Press release