Madariaga - College of Europe Foundation

The Madariaga European Foundation initiated a programme of activities on “Conflict Prevention through Cultural Interaction in the Greater Mediterranean Region”, within the broader framework of the European Foundation Centre’s Trans-Mediterranean Civil Society Dialogue. The programme aims to assist in the delivery of the civil society aspects of the Barcelona Process, initiated in November 1995 to provide a new framework of political, economic and social relations between the European Union and ten Southern Mediterranean partner nations.  Through the creation of a space for interaction between civil society representatives, academics, businesses, and policy makers, the programme intends to initiate a dialogue on the human level, bringing visibility and a sense of ownership to citizens.  MEF works with partners from all shores of the Mediterranean to engage a broad circle of actors into collective, long-term action. The intention is to draw attention to questions of shared concern, pushing for a clear articulation of proposals and recommendations, in an effort to influence decision making at every level.