6.
The way ahead
This White Paper seeks to set a clear course for intercultural dialogue, but it cannot provide a detailed road map. It is one step on a longer road. Its conclusions and recommendations need to be monitored, and adapted if necessary, in dialogue with the other stakeholders. The guidelines and practical orientations defined here should be appropriately followed up and evaluated. The Council of Europe invites all other stakeholders to continue what has sometimes been described as the “White Paper process�, which has brought the Council of Europe into contact with countless partners, ranging from international institutions to grass-roots activists. All our partners are encouraged to continue advising the organisation on the course to steer, to suggest programmes and projects, and to alert us to developments that may place intercultural dialogue at risk. Intercultural dialogue is critical to the construction of a new social and cultural model for a fast-changing Europe, allowing everyone living within our culturally diverse societies to enjoy human rights and fundamental freedoms. This emerging model is a work in progress and a work of many hands. It involves wide responsibilities for public authorities at all levels, for civil-society associations and all other stakeholders. The Council of Europe presents this White Paper as a contribution to an international discussion steadily gaining momentum. The task of living together amid growing cultural diversity while respecting human rights and fundamental freedoms has become one of the major demands of our times and is set to remain relevant for many years to come.
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