The Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Croatia and the Anna Lindh Euro-Mediterranean Foundation for Dialogue between Cultures have entered into a new phase of cooperation in promoting intercultural dialogue and public diplomacy in the Mediterranean. The two institutions, together with Croatia’s National Foundation for Civil Society Development, are co-organizers of the 4th Mediterranean Forum of the Anna Lindh Foundation (MedForum2020) from 2nd to 5th April 2020 in Šibenik, Croatia.
The upcoming Croatian Presidency of the Council of the European Union - from January to June 2020 – will foster the strengthening of political, social and economic ties between the EU and its neighbors in the Mediterranean area. Equal opportunities and social inclusion, as well as the fight against poverty, will be strongly promoted by the Croatian Presidency. This fact, as well as Croatia’s geographical position at the crossroads between Central Europe and the Mediterranean, makes Croatia an excellent host country for MedForum2020, the largest civil society gathering and the most influential process of its kind for intercultural dialogue across the Euro-Mediterranean space.
“Croatia highly appreciates the endeavor of the Anna Lindh Foundation in restarting and deepening dialogue across Europe and the Mediterranean through intellectual, cultural and civil society exchange. Deeply aware of the strategic relevance of the Mediterranean in history, at the present moment and in the future, Croatia firmly believes in fostering exchange between institutions, networks and individuals on crucial challenges and opportunities in the common Mediterranean area.”
Mrs. Marija Pejčinović Burić, Former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Croatia
"The Croatian Network for Cooperation in the Mediterranean, as one of the ALF civil society networks, and the National Foundation for Civil Society Development as Croatian Head of ALF Network are pleased to be local co-organisers of MED FORUM 2020 in Sibenik. Investing in and supporting cooperation, exchange and knowledge sharing between civil society organisations are key priorities of the National Foundation. We strongly believe that recently established Euro-Med Academy for Philanthropy and Society Development (based in Zadar, Croatia) will provide new opportunities for civil society and other stakeholders in 42 countries on the Euro-Mediterranean to act together towards better world."
Cvjetana Plavša-Matić, Director, National Founation for Civil Society Development
The Anna Lindh Foundation acknowledges the decisive role of Croatia, due to its historical and geographical dimension and its European and Mediterranean identity, in promoting regional cooperation and integration, and supporting exchange and dialogue in the Euro-Mediterranean area, placing the people at the center of this cooperation.
"I would like to thank the Croatian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs - but also congratulate us all, as this Memorandum of Understanding marks a new era in which we will further our work on finding solutions to the challenges and answers to the questions that our societies are facing today and in the years to come. I am looking forward to MedForum2020 knowing that together, through cooperation and exchange, we can and will deliver decisive and concrete results and a tangible benefit for all of our societies."
Mrs. Elisabeth Guigou, President, Anna Lindh Foundation
"This agreement, and the upcoming MedForum to be held in Šibenik, will serve as a testament of the readiness of the future Croatian Presidency of the Council of the EU and the Anna Lindh Foundation to tackle the common issues affecting civil societies to the North and South of the Mediterranean. We welcome this opportunity to collaborate closely on finding solutions to key challenges for our peoples and foster greater mutual understanding."
Dr. Nabil Al-Sharif, Executive Director, Anna Lindh Foundation
Building on the success of the first three MedFora (Barcelona 2010, Marseille 2013, Valletta 2016) the fourth assembly will focus on promoting a comprehensive intercultural dialogue strategy in the face of common regional challenges affecting the societies from the North and South of the Mediterranean, among them rising xenophobia, extremism, youth-related developmental issues and the migrant crisis.
The Forum will bring together representatives from 42 Member States of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), including civil society organizations, youth associations, regional and international institutions, media bodies, donor agencies, institutes, and foundations. In addition to commemorating the United Nations 75th Anniversary, this forum will coincide with the 25th Anniversary of the Barcelona Process. The Forum’s conclusions and echoes will have an impact on EU programming from 2020, such as the expansion of Erasmus + virtual exchange program and the implementation of the new Neighbourhood policy in the wider Mediterranean region.