Brussels: Public debate on Intercultural Dialogue in the workplace

The debate entitled “Couscous Culture: is that what Intercultural Dialogue in the workplace is all about?" is organised by the European Commission in cooperation with the European Network Against Racism.

It will take place at 18:30h in the Residence Palace and will be opened by EU Commissioner Vladimír Špidla. This fourth Brussels Debate for the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue 2008 will focus on the challenges and opportunities posed by an increasingly intercultural work environment.  Today’s social reality in Europe, with its ethnic, cultural and religious diversity, represents a unique configuration in European history. Intercultural dialogue in the workplace is one tool among many others that can help to harness the energies of companies, civil society, social partners, governments and European institutions in a collective effort towards inclusive, participative societies in which all are able to express their full potential.  It is thus high time to invest in researching and exploring the concept of intercultural dialogue in the workplace. Vladimír Špidla, European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities and Kyriacos Triantaphyllides, Member of the European Parliament, will discuss the issue with Chibo Onyeji, Vice-President of the European Network Against Racism, and Benoît van Grieken, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager of Randstad Belgium.  The series of Brussels Debates are one of the core activities of the European Year that take place at European level. Three Debates have already been held this year, covering migration and immigration, the role of arts and culture in intercultural dialogue, and inter-religious dialogue and active citizenship.  Debates later this autumn will address multilingualism, education, and the role of the media in intercultural dialogue. The Debate will take place in the Polak Room at the Residence Palace, 155 Rue de la Loi at 18:30h. It will be moderated by Ms Shada Islam, Senior Programme Executive at the European Policy Centre (EPC) and journalist specialising in EU foreign and development policies, immigration and anti-discrimination issues.  The debate will be followed by a reception. It is possible to join the debate by sharing views with others from all over Europe on the Brussels Debate Forum in the official website of the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue, www.dialogue2008.eu