The European Institute of Romania and ESCU Association organized the conference “Europe – Connecting Cultures: Cultural Diversity from Trend Setter to a sensitive issue” on Saturday, September 9, 2017, an event organized during the third edition of the Festival Embassies called “One World”.
Mr. Cristian Preda, Member of the European Parliament, Ms. Christiane Gertrud Cosmatu, Undersecretary of State, Department for Interethnic Relations / Government of Romania, Prof. Univ. Dr. Gabriela Drăgan, Executive Director, European Institute of Romania, Gabriela Leu, Communications Associate, UNHCR Representation in Romania, Dr. Mircea Vasilescu, Faculty of Letters, Department of Literary Studies / University of Bucharest and Mr. Dan Cărbunaru, journalist, Director at caleaeuropeana.ro.
Main topics addressed:
- Multiculturalism vs. Interculturalism – a paradigm shift in the European Commission’s vision?
- European interculturalism models: what is Romania’s vision of the idea of ”unity in diversity”?
- Management of cultural diversity: Managing discrimination, proximity and intercultural and ethnic dialogue;
- The refugee crisis and the concept of intercultural dialogue: can we talk about the emergence of a new model of social and cultural coexistence at European level?
- Intercultural dialogue seen as a resource for European cultural regeneration: projects, major policies and good practices in the field of cultural exchanges between peoples.
At the same time, the Europe Direct Information Center Bucharest, hosted by the European Institute of Romania, was present in Titan Park on September 9 and 10 with a presentation stand and activities (children’s puzzle and games, contest with questions about Romania in EU, tombola and distribution of brochures and information material on EU policies and actions).
Festival Details:
The Embassies Festival is the 1st multicultural festival in Eastern Europe. Its activities engage diplomats, educated world culture people, expats, tourists and associates with a very colorful community.
The Embassies Festival is a gateway to other cultures and one of rare events we expect to increase the Bucharest’s prestige, attractiveness and identity. The Festival is an exceptional opportunity to get to know the customs and traditions of nations that participants are less likely to come across in their day-to-day lives. The program will invite visitors to experience the authentic music, dance, food, film, and art of plentiful distinctive nations, along with a rare behind-the-scenes look into the embassies’ life.
Furthermore, ONE WORLD – The Embassies Festival presents transnational programs to highlight the identity aspect of different territories around the world through an innovative exchange of cultural products.