INSPIRING KNOWLEDGE

We believe that knowledge is the basis of change, which is why producing and sharing knowledge is central to everything we do. Through various initiatives and activities, we capture, share and apply insights to drive meaningful transformation across the region. The Inspiring Knowledge pillar focuses on equipping decision-makers, researchers and civil society with the tools and understanding they need to make a real impact.

But it’s not just about gathering information; it’s about making it accessible, actionable and relevant. By building strong connections between governments, institutions, civil society, policymakers and other key stakeholders, we ensure that knowledge becomes a driving force for sustainable change throughout the Euro-Mediterranean region to take concrete action, shaping long term, sustainable transformation throughout the Euro-Mediterranean region.

ALF POLICY DEBATES & ALF OUTREACH DIALOGUES

CLOSING THE CIRCLE

We have chosen “closing the circle” to describe our ALF Policy Debates and Outreach Dialogues. These events help to connect evidence-based research, policy-making and real-world action.
By bringing these elements together in the same space, we create a comprehensive participatory approach to address challenges in the Euro-Mediterranean region. “Closing the circle” emphasises that meaningful change cannot be achieved in isolation. It requires collaboration among academics, experts, policymakers and civil society to ensure that solutions are both informed by evidence and responsive to real-world needs.

ALF Policy Debates

These are structured, formal gatherings that bring together experts from think tanks, specialised centres and universities, civil society representatives, policymakers and practitioners. The Debates focus on addressing specific policy issues, presenting research findings, and proposing evidence-based solutions, aiming to shape policies that are reflective of the region's needs and aspirations, ensuring that they are informed by robust fact-based research.

ALF Outreach Dialogues

They engage a broader variety of stakeholders, including local communities, youth groups, and grassroots organisations. These Dialogues create a space for open conversations, allowing diverse voices to contribute to policy discussions. By translating complex policy topics into accessible conversations, ALF Outreach Dialogues ensure that policy development is more connected to the everyday realities of the individuals and groups it impacts.
By combining the expertise-driven focus of ALF Policy Debates with the grassroots input of Outreach Dialogues, we create a holistic, participatory approach to fostering meaningful change across the Euro-Mediterranean region, bridging the gap between research, policy-making and implementation.

Our Public Policy Themes

Our Public Policy Debates and Outreach Dialogues cover three main intercultural public policy themes:

Youth engagement in participatory dialogues and decision-making: Empowering young people to actively participate in shaping policy and decisions that affect them.

Fostering an intercultural approach to the ethics of AI: Ensuring the development of AI technologies in the Euro-Mediterranean region is fair, trustworthy and inclusive.

Living together: Promoting social cohesion and understanding in increasingly diverse societies.

These events not only enhance ALF Secretariat Programmes and contribute to the development of Euro-Mediterranean policy frameworks, but also strengthen the capacity of civil society networks.

By combining the expertise-driven focus of ALF Policy Debates with the grassroots input of Outreach Dialogues, we create a holistic participatory approach to fostering meaningful change across the region, bridging the gap between research, policymaking and ground implementation.

Having “closing the circle” themes doesn’t mean we can do this alone, but it is rather an invitation to engage with our stakeholders and potential partners from the different realms of academia, public policy and civil society.

Policy Debates and Outreach Dialogues in 2024

Exploring the enabling conditions of youth engagement in Euro-Med participatory dialogues and decision-making processes.

16 & 17 April–Brussels

AI Ethics Across Borders: Forging Intercultural Approaches in the Euro-Med Region.

4 & 15 May-Brussels

Protecting pluralism in Euro-Mediterranean societies: A complementary bottom-up approach.

21& 22 May-Brussels

Building Bridges Across Languages: Human-Centered AI for the Euro-Med International Conference.

6 & 7 June-Ljubljana

Empowering youth: Enhancing means and methods to institutionalise youth participation in the Euro-Mediterranean.

18 & 19 September-Helsinki

What Our Stakeholders and Experts Say

INTERCULTURAL DIALOGUE RESOURCES CENTRE

If one resource is proven useful to you, it can hold the same value for someone else. This is the core idea behind The Intercultural Dialogue Resources Centre, a collaborative space that allows our Network members and Heads of Networks to contribute and upload useful resources that include valuable insights, data and tools that can benefit others working in intercultural dialogue across the Euro-Mediterranean region.

The Resources Centre makes research and good practices on topics related to intercultural dialogue in the Euro-Mediterranean accessible to everyone. It enables users, whether from civil society, academia, policy-making or simply curious individuals who want to learn more about the region, to access a wide range of publications. This includes academic and journalistic publications, policy papers, reports, and manuals related to intercultural dialogue in the Euro-Mediterranean region.

INSPIRING KNOWLEDGE