Brussels, 10/09/2008 (Agence Europe) - Multilingualism and Intercultural Dialogue were in the spotlight on Wednesday 10 September in the fifth Brussels Debate of the 2008 European Year of Intercultural Dialogue. The debate entitled "Multilingualism - a bridge or a barrier for intercultural dialogue?" was organised by the European Commission in cooperation with the European Union National Institutes for Culture (EUNIC). It will take place at 18: 30h in the Residence Palace and will be opened by EU Commissioner for Multilingualism, Leonard Orban and Claude Moraes MEP (PES, United Kingdom).
Debates focused on the role of multilingualism in Europe and on the influence of the multiplicity of languages on European integration. Is multilingualism a source of enrichment or a source of tension? Four debates were organised in the context of intercultural dialogue in Europe. Discussions covered immigration, the role of arts and culture in intercultural dialogue, inter-religious dialogue and active citizenship. (I.L./trans/rh)