3. REGIONAL SCOPE

The Anna Lindh Foundation encourages networking between civil society partners of EU and MENA countries and between peoples of different convictions within these member countries. Since the Anna Lindh Foundation was founded the MENA region has witnessed dramatic changes, including revolutions, civil wars, religious extremism (the total lack of respect for people of different convictions) that brought millions of refugees to Europe which in turn gave a boost to populist sentiments and movements throughout the region. We believe populist views provide a too simplified view of the complexity ofvarious problems we are facing our modern world, often blaming particular groups in society. The answer to populism is transparency with explanations of the complex problems we face. Dialogue, therefore, is also needed in the Netherlands between people with roots in the MENA region, people who for various reasons feel affinity to people groups in the region and people who believe they were affected by developments in the region. Members of our network are ready to talk with anyone in society which in no way means agreement with their convictions.