Our Session: Uniting Cultures – Dialogue Across Borders
23 juni 2025
The Dutch Network had the honor of organising a dedicated session titled: “Uniting Cultures: Dialogue Across Borders with the ALF”
This panel session explored the intersection of intercultural dialogue, education, gender, history, religion, and sustainability. Speakers offered diverse perspectives rooted in academic research, grassroots activism, and civil society leadership:
- Dr. Tarek Mansour (Egypt) – Professor of History at Ain Shams University and member of the House of the Family, emphasizing interreligious understanding and historical reflection.
- Dr. Jaroslav Franc (Czech Republic) – Head of Communication Studies at Palacký University, leading efforts to digitize and analyze the Dialogue Across Borders archive through an EU Twinning proposal.
- Saida Agrebi (Tunisia) – Founder of multiple women’s NGOs and the first African woman elected as AU Commissioner, widely known as “Mama Africa.”
- Dr. Vincent Caruana (Malta) – Educator and researcher in sustainable development, with 35+ years in civil society engagement.
- Kees Hulsman (Netherlands) – Dutch sociologist and co-founder of Dialogue Across Borders, with deep expertise in intercultural media analysis.
- Romana Moussa (Netherlands) – Moderator and ALF Netherlands Co-Coordinator, who facilitated the session with warmth and strategic insight.
The discussion offered a rich and multi-layered exploration of the challenges and possibilities facing intercultural dialogue in today’s polarized world.
🔗 [View all presentations by clicking on the speaker’s names above]
Representing a Growing Network
With 65 active member organizations, the Dutch Network was strongly represented in Tirana. We extend special thanks to our members who contributed to the Forum’s success and spirit of cooperation:
- Ola Olajide – GREAT The Hague
- Chirin Abbas – Doings
- Adenike Alade – Thrive
- Moustafa Abdalla – Wavemakers
Their active participation underscored the power of grassroots dialogue and cross-cultural collaboration.
Royal Recognition: Meeting HRH Princess Rym Ali
A highlight of the Forum was our private exchange with HRH Princess Rym Ali of Jordan, Director of the Anna Lindh Foundation. During this conversation, we presented our initiative to establish a Euro-Mediterranean University Network focused on:
- Interdisciplinary research
- Media literacy
- Education to counter misinformation
This timely initiative will be further presented by Kees Hulsman at the United Nations in Geneva on 3 July 2025, during a statement on: “The Impact of Misinformation on Freedom of Expression and Opinion.”
A preview of this UN intervention is available upon request and will be published on our website in the coming days.
Looking Ahead
We return from Tirana inspired, connected, and energized, reaffirming our mission to promote fact-based dialogue, educational innovation, and intercultural understanding across borders.
The Dutch Network remains dedicated to building bridges between cultures—through trust, truth, and empathy.
🕊️ Together, we unite cultures across borders.
