Cultural Diversity

Hungary, also in its capacity of the President of the Council of the European Union in the first six month of 2011, put special emphasis on the preservation and promotion of cultural diversity.

Considering that culture has a fundamental role in developing society and strengthening social cohesion the events and programs organized during these six months had an important impact on Hungarian society as a whole. Several hundred events were organized by Hungarian state actors (both in Hungary and worldwide) presenting and promoting the multilateral interaction and dialogue among cultures. We put a special emphasis on the peaceful coexistence of religions and on interreligious dialogue when organizing cultural events during our Presidency.

The Hungarian government organized in June 2011 an important international Conference on Christian-Jewish-Muslim Interfaith Dialogue. The aim of the conference was to deal with the society-forming role of religion and to map possibilities of peaceful co-existence by involving both civil society and government actors, with a special focus on Africa and the Middle East.

In 2011 Hungary became a sponsor of the UN Alliance of Civilizations, being already a Member of the Group of Friends.  AoC High Representative Jorge Sampaio sent a message to the participants of the Conference on Christian-Jewish-Muslim Interfaith Dialogue, supporting the goals of the event.