
The Council of Europe can be proud of being the only intergovernmental international organisation that provides such a forum for co-operation between governments, elected representatives and organised civil society through a quadrilogue. This confirms the trailblazing nature of the activities of the organisation, which is both a pioneer and a model in the field of participation and which fully deserves its description as the “Home of Democracy”. said Israel Mensah, Vice-Président of the committee on Democracy, Social Cohesion and Global Challenges, introducing his final report of the Forum held on 13-14 November
Today many people are afraid of Islam. And many people are afraid of other peoples and cultures, too. This fear must not be ignored. But it cannot be overcome without dialogue. We are here to give that dialogue substance and to move ahead. To quote Mr Jagland in an address to the Parliamentary Assembly on 24 January 2011:
“All great projects in history combine vision with pragmatism. Believing in something even very enthusiastically is not enough; it is what we do that makes the difference between great ideas and great illusions.”
Our NGOs are already doing innovative work: we must publicise it and keep up the struggle!" was his conclusion message.
Today many people are afraid of Islam. And many people are afraid of other peoples and cultures, too. This fear must not be ignored. But it cannot be overcome without dialogue. We are here to give that dialogue substance and to move ahead. To quote Mr Jagland in an address to the Parliamentary Assembly on 24 January 2011:
“All great projects in history combine vision with pragmatism. Believing in something even very enthusiastically is not enough; it is what we do that makes the difference between great ideas and great illusions.”
Our NGOs are already doing innovative work: we must publicise it and keep up the struggle!" was his conclusion message.