Intercultural & Religious Dialogue Activities 2014 - 2019

The Working Group on 'Intercultural and Religious Dialogue' is an official structure of the EPP Group and is co-chaired by György Hölvényi MEP and Jan Olbrycht MEP, in which a number of EPP Group Members of the European Parliament gather monthly to deal with religious and intercultural issues.

The EPP Group Intercultural and Religious Dialogue activities aim to promote mutual understanding and an active sense of European citizenship for a peaceful living together. Decision makers are called to provide answers to the complex crisis with political, economic, religious and cultural implications in Europe.

'Intercultural and Religious Dialogue’ does not mean theological discussions in the European Parliament. It is about listening to people from the sphere of religion and exchanging views with representatives of academia, governments, European Institutions on issues of common interest or concern and in connection to religion and intercultural relations.

WHAT WE DO:

Our concept is simple: we bring people together. No other political group in the European Parliament runs a similar permanent structure. The Lisbon Treaty's Article 17 lays down the legal basis for the dialogue and encourages politicians, religious leaders and experts to strive for more cooperation. We believe that dialogue opens doors to greater understanding and can be a catalyst for building social cohesion. The ultimate goal of the EPP Group 'Intercultural and Religious Dialogue' is to assist in the important effort to pursue intercultural exchange, people to people dialogue, peace-building initiatives and the strengthening of social cohesion. The dialogue is a powerful tool to bring this about and the EPP Group is a key player in such exchanges.

OUR ACTIVITIES:

Our events provide for interaction at the highest possible level between religious authorities and politicians. We aim to spread information about EPP Group' policy initiatives; represent the religious and cultural aspects regarding a number of policy areas; contribute to an attractive vision of modern Christian Democracy in Europe; reinforce non-negotiable European fundamental values and promote a model of society that strengthens cohesion and peaceful coexistence of cultures.

WE ORGANISE A WIDE RANGE OF EVENTS ON A REGULAR BASIS:

• EPP Group Annual Dialogue with Religions and Cultures;
• Monthly Working Group meetings;
• Thematic Working Breakfasts with Ambassadors of Muslim (OIC) Countries;
• Visits of religious leaders from the Middle East, Africa and Asia;
• Conferences on current affairs related to religion (Religious radicalisation, Persecution of religious minorities);
• Seminars on relevant topics with the participation of experts from EU and non-EU countries.