The Fondazione Mediterraneo since its
foundation (1994) has as its main objective the institution of a Coalition of
Shared Values and Interests among the countries which, through the centuries,
have acted around the Mediterranean and which today, in continuing their social
and cultural reciprocal influences – represented by the Hellenic, Roman,
Byzantine and Islamic cultures - and which today, in continuing their social and
cultural reciprocal influences, represent the area of the “Greater
Mediterranean”: a tradition of synergies, sometimes tumultuous and troubled, but
from which an indissoluble interdependence arose, stronger than all contrasts,
hostilities, and wars.
The Fondazione Mediterraneo, which during the
last fifteen years has made valuable these synergies, giving them importance,
wishes now to go on in the name of peace and cooperation among the populations
and in respect of the fundamental rights set forth in the UN charter. It is for
this reason that it publicizes the project “Maison de la Paix” in order to
assemble most women and men, of organizations and Institutions of the countries
belonging to the Greater Mediterranean and to set common targets and effective
means to transform the “Dialogue among Cultures” into an “Alliance among
Civilizations” specially through the creation in many cities of the “Totem de la
Paix” by the Italian sculptor Mario Molinari.
In order to realize these “Alliances among
Civilizations” of the Greater Mediterranean, a subject both historical and
strategic which works in cooperation with the countries of the Middle East, the
Gulf and the Black Sea, it is necessary promote international understanding
through the promotion of awareness of the social, cultural, and
self-identification realities that exist in the Greater Mediterranean. It is
also necessary to encourage a closer interaction among these realities in
respect of fundamental human rights and equality of the sexes and to develop
human resources and intellectual cooperation in multidisciplinary fields.
The Greater Mediterranean has long been
fraught with tensions, crisis and conflicts that have torn the fabric of an
otherwise peaceful and prosperous cohabitation. Fresh outbreaks of terrorism
and the risk of a schism between those who believe in dialogue and those who
favour a ‘clash of civilisations’ mandate increased engagement of governments
and calls from civil society to promote a coalition of shared values and
interests.
The Coalition should act on the premise of
developing models and programmes for cultural and material growth within the
region, based on the concepts of equal dignity and mutual respect among
different cultural identities – acknowledging that these peoples have their own
principles and values, but at the same time must be open to exchange and
discussion. All this work is based on the principles of equality, sovereignty,
and dignity of peoples, and it works in respect of pluralism and cultural
diversity. Furthermore, these actions are committed to the principle that
fundamental human rights – including gender equality – constitute a common
denominator among all peoples.