The Mediterranean: A Vision for the Future

The recent conference, “The Mediterranean Area: What Vision of the Future?,” launched by Antonio Bassolino, President of the Region of the Compania, shows great foresight. Globalization, the emergence of the European Union and the impact of Islam, the Arab and the broader Muslim World on international relations and domestic politics in Europe make greater knowledge and understanding as well as cultural dialogue critical for political and economic development.

Fortunately, for a decade the Mediterranean and the Region of Compania has been the leader in Euro-Mediterranean dialogue. The Fondazione Laboratoria Mediterraneo, created in 1994 by its president, Prof. Michele Capasso, has pioneered and led the way in Euro-Mediterranean dialogue, addressing issues of political development, economic integration, conflict resolution, culture and security. The FLM has developed a network of centers, universities and civil societies in Italy, the Mediterranea and the Arab world. An impressive array of major regional and international projects, conferences and workshops, plus exhibitions and concerts have been organized in Naples, Europe and the Arab world by this dynamic organization.

Responding to the challenges of the 21^st century, requires the Mediterranean to extend its dialogue to Islam and to Muslim communities in the Arab/Muslim world and in Europe. Islam, with more than 1.3 billion followers, is the second largest and religion in the world and the fastest growing and second largest religion in Europe. Post 9/11 issues of global terrorism, the growth of extremism, security, democratization, pluralism and human rights as well as issues of immigration, population, integration and civil liberties are becoming ever more critical.

Recognizing the increased strategic importance of the Mediterranean and its relationship to Islam, internationally and domestically, the FLM has launched a new five-year project, to address key issues which will be called “The Mediterranean Europe and Islam: Actors in Dialogue.” The FLM’s new project is under the direction of Walter Schwimmer, Secretary General and, and myself as President of the Executive Scientific Committee and seeks to strengthen the idea of a common Mediterranean identity and build bridges of understanding between the Mediterranean, Europe and the Islamic world. The Executive Scientific Committee, whose members are internationally prominent scholars, experts and political leaders, will oversee the development of a project that will again put the FLM, Naples and the Campania Region at the forefront of leadership. Its projects are action-oriented, bringing together government officials, policymakers, intellectuals, religious, NGO and corporate leaders and the media from the Mediterranean and the Arab/Muslim world.

In Fall 2005 a major international conference, “Securing the Future: A Mediterranean Dialogue,” will address many of today’s critical issues: democratization and citizenship, minorities, religion and politics, international security and conflict prevention. Unlike many conferences, this project will involve a significant number of Arab and Muslim leaders, secular and Islamist, both as members of the Executive Scientific Committee an in our projects and conferences.

Globalization has reinforced a world in which events in Palestine-Israel, Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, Syria and elsewhere, from the growth of extremism to democratization, and the impact of immigration domestically profoundly affect the Mediterranean and Europe, a challenge Naples and the Region of the Compania are positioned to meet.

John L. Esposito, University Professor of Religion & International Affairs and Founding Director: Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding, Georgetown University, Editor in Chief of The Oxford Encyclopedia of the Modern Islamic World and author of more than forty books on Islam ad Muslim politics.