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THE CULTURES OF SPAIN CONFERENCE “CENTURIES OF MULTICULTURALISM AND

INTER-FAITH DIALOGUE WITHIN THE ANDALUSIA REGION”

The Role of Non-State Actors in Interfaith Bridging: The Foundation of Three

Cultures

Abdeslam Badre – Morocco

badre@culturaldiplomacy.org

abdeslambadre@yahoo.com

icd - Institute of Cultural Diplomacy The Cultures of Spain Conference - Spain - October 2012

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OUTLINEI. Impacts of Andalusian Muslims’ Scholarship on

Modern Time

II. Non-State Actors in Interfaith Dialogue: The Case of the “Fundación Tres Culturas”

3.1. Background of the Foundation3.2. Behind the Scene3.3. Goals & Objectives3.4. Implementation Strategy3.5. Beneficiaries

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WHY FUNDACIÓN TRES CULTURAS?

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BILATERAL CULTURAL DIPLOMACY: MODEL 1

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BILATERAL CULTURAL DIPLOMACY: MODEL B

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2“FUNDACIÓN TRES CULTURAS”

HISTORICAL CONTEXT

1995: the Euro-Mediterranean Conference in Barcelona

1998: The Kingdom of Morocco and the the autonomous government of Andalusia joined forces to create an organization

March 1999: the creation of the Fundación Tres Culturas in the Spanish city of Seville

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2THE FOUNDATION’S VICE

PRESIDENT, ANDRE AZOULAY

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called on Moroccan and Spanish civil societies to break cliches and "get

mobilized" to give a new impetus to relations

between the two countries, to evaluate the evolution of the two civil

societies "in a world undermined by doubts

and intellectual nervousness."

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BEHIND THE FOUNDATION 10

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King of Morocco, Mohammed VI

King Juan Carlos of Spain

The National Palestinian Authority

The Peres Peace Centre

Various figures from the worlds of banking

Academicians

Representatives from the Junta de Andalusia

Ministers from Spanish, Moroccan, Israeli and Palestinian governments

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IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY

“In a complex, political world, it is culture that provides the best channel for

dialogue.”

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2GOALS & OBJECTIVES

The Foundation’s main objective is to unite Christian, Jewish and Muslim cultures from the region. The main key principles guide the Foundation’s work:

The relationship between Andalusia and Morocco

The Middle Eastern Alliance and support from the European Union for similar projects that bring Mediterranean countries closer together

The core ethos of the foundation are Peace, dialogue, coexistence and stability

In particular, dialogue and cooperation between the Israeli and Palestinian representatives is one of the focal objectives of the foundation.

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2IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY Conferences

Debates

Talks

Exhibitions

Concerts by musicians from the region

Offers Arabic and Hebrew Language courses

Collaborates in book fairs - such as one most recently held in Cairo

Participates in commemorative events such as International Holocaust Remembrance Day

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2IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY …

Regular events at the headquarters in Seville, such as:

“Cinema Tuesdays”: less well known films and pertinent to the objectives of the foundation are shown

In recent years a number of Mediterranean cities and regions like Beirut, Tangiers, Istanbul and Sicily have been represented on the silver screen and audiences have been treated to screenings of such delights as Turtles can Fly, No Man’s Land and Caro Diario (Dear Diary).

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2IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY…

The library houses a comprehensive collection of books and documents on such issues as the Arab world, Euro-Mediterranean relations, human rights, conflict resolution, development and migration

Books are lent free of charge, which is vital to

achieve the objective of promoting an interest and understanding of different cultures at the very heart of Andalusian society.

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THE FOUNDATION PROFILE SUMMARY

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Foundation: “Fundación Tres Culturas” Birth: 1999 (SEVILLE) Location: SEVILLE Stands out for:

Being the meeting point of the Mediterranean.

Promote Countries of the Mediterranean to joined forces to celebrate their diverse cultures and build a platform for international understanding and dialogue.

Culture is lending its services to the peace process.

Funding: Governor of Andalusia and the Kingdom of Morocco.

Directed to: the Community Muslim, Jewish and Christian Community of Seville, and Spain at Large. Researchers, Artist, Academicians, and wide public

Headquarter building: It remains a striking example of Moroccan art, and the impressive building boasts a variety of amenities, including an auditorium with capacity for 200 people, an exhibition area, archives, classrooms, a central square and a library specializing in Mediterranean topics and the Arab world.

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THANK YOU!

Reference: http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/

031219/2003121928.html http://www.tresculturas.org/secciones/activid

ades/otras%20actividades/imgs/fotos_antiguas/_MG_4199.jpg

http://www.tresculturas.org/exposiciones360/albordedeunpoema/

http://www.tertuliaandaluza.com/cultura/fundacion-tres-culturas-del-mediterraneo/lang/en/

http://www.hispanicmuslims.com/andalusia/andalusia.html

http://www.geocities.com/mfbeig/abercrombie.html 43. Burke, James. Boston: Little Brown & Company, 1985.

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