Casa Mediterráneo: Launching of the book ‘Mediterranean inequalities, challenge of the 21st century’ (Catarata/FACM, 2020) with its author, Ricard Pérez Casado
The inequalities that exist between the different societies that make up the Mediterranean space, as well as those that occur within each country, their origins, their consequences and the challenges they pose are the focus of the analysis of the book ‘Las desigualdades mediterráneas, reto del siglo XXI’ (Catarata, 2020), published with the sponsorship of the Mediterranean Citizens’ Assembly Foundation (FACM). Its author, Ricard Pérez Casado, will present it on Thursday, January 27 at 7:00 p.m. at the headquarters of Casa Mediterráneo. The talk, in person, can also be followed in streaming on the diplomatic institution’s website and social networks.
PRESENTATION OF THE BOOK ‘Mediterranean inequalities, challenge of the 21st century’ (Cataract, 2020), published by Catarata Ed. and the Mediterranean Citizens Assembly Foundation (FACM).
Casa Mediterráneo and FACM, united by the knowledge of the cultures and societies of the Mediterranean
Casa Mediterráneo and FACM sign a collaboration framework agreement.
The signing was carried out by the Director General of Casa Mediterráneo, Andrés Perelló, and by the president of FACM, Vicent Garcés.
Casa Mediterráneo has been the location where both institutions have signed this agreement for the development of activities and initiatives that contribute to the encounter between countries, institutions and cities of the Mediterranean region, and to the citizens of all the Mediterranean shores. Another strong point of this agreement focuses on carrying out common projects of mutual interest that promote greater knowledge of the cultures and societies of the Mediterranean.
The exchange of information, publications and other training and research materials that allow a greater knowledge of the society, culture and peoples of the Mediterranean, is another of the aspects contemplated in this agreement.
Andrés Perelló has highlighted that the institution is open to citizens and to institutions and foundations that have common goals with Casa Mediterráneo. “FACM has demonstrated the capacity and the bonds of union with the Mediterranean to promote joint activities” he pointed out.
One of the first joint activities will be the presentation of the book ‘Mediterranean Inequalities, Challenge of the 21st Century’ on January 27, a publication edited by the FACM, and Catarata, by the former mayor of Valencia between 1979-1989, Ricard Pérez Casado, member of the Advisory Council of the FACM.
Mediterráneo RTVE program: Interview with the president of the ACM Foundation
A few years ago, the Union for the Mediterranean marked November 28 as the date to “celebrate” Mediterranean Day, although now the day must work to visualize the emergency situation in the multiple crises that the area is experiencing. We discussed these emergencies with Isidro González, spokesperson for the UPM and also with Vicent Garcés, president of the Mediterranean Citizens’ Assembly Foundation. This interview is part of the synthesis of the proposals of the ACM Foundation IX meeting held in Valencia in November 2021.
27.11.2021 | II Mediterranean Congress “Music and Science”
27.11.2021: For second edition of the mediterranean congress “Music and Sicence” the choosen topic is “Music and science in today’s market: economic development and production. Is there room for scientific and musical diplomacy?” The issue is motivated by two basic factors: the equitable distribution of vaccines against Covid and the contribution that music and science can make to the economic development of our societies. Thus, the
presented talks must coincide with the general topic of the second edition of the Mediterranean Congress “Music and Science”.
The event will take place on November 27, 2021. There was an Opening session in the framework of Mostra Viva del Mediterrani on 4 October 2021.
PROFILE OF PARTICIPANTS AND BENEFICIARIES
Participation is open to members from Mediterranean countries. In this edition the participation countires are: Spain, Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Cyprus, Palestine, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The recipients are experts in the field of music and science; trainers; students; professionals; representatives of entities dedicated to the promotion, teaching and dissemination of music and science.
GOALS
1. Contribute to the economic development of citizens
through music and science.
2. Establish a rigorous regulation on the performance of
a scientific and musical diplomacy.
3. Investigate public or private funding options for music
and science.
The Congress is organized by the Assembly of Citizens of the Mediterranean Foundation (FACM) with the support of the Institut Valencià de Cultura. The activity is coordinated from its ACM circle in Sarajevo and the MAAK Foundation, and the Valencia circle (co-management of coordination and dissemination of the contest rules). It has the institutional sponsorship of Mostra Viva del Mediterrani, the Valencia City Council, the Universities of Valencia and Sarajevo (co-management in facilitating spaces and profiles of experts / stiff and participating students), the López Piñero Interuniversity Institute and the collaboration of different public and private institutions, as well as academic, all in co-management in the dissemination of contest bases and facilitation of profiles of experts to participate,
whose names will be made public soon.
FOLLOW THE EVENT LIVE
MORNING SESSION
AFTERNOON SESSION
Conclusions and proposals presented in the framework of the ACM Foundation’s IX Meeting
Read the conclusions and proposals presented in the framework of the IX Meeting of the ACM Foundation: “From a divided Mediterranean to a shared Mediterranean: a decade of citizen resistance”.
The conclusions are presented in a correlative way corresponding to the 4 agoras.
Statement of the Advisory Council: ACM Foundation appeals to citizen resistance to face the multiple emergencies suffered by the peoples of the Mediterranean
Statement of the Advisory Council
Issued at the General Assembly of the IX Meeting of the FACM –
After 10 years of citizen activism of the ACM circles and its Foundation, the Advisory Council of the FACM
Expresses
Its deep concern for the serious crisis that the countries of the Mediterranean area are going through.
Notes
– The destabilisation of the Mediterranean due to the persistence and resurgence of conflicts in almost all Mediterranean countries.
– The powerlessness of states and international and regional organisations, which have the task of resolving the problems of the Mediterranean area and neighbouring countries (Sahel, Middle East, etc.);
– That the popular uprisings of 2010-2011 against authoritarian regimes in the southern and eastern Mediterranean, which were conducive to democratic transformation and social justice, have for the most part ended in stalemate. Tunisia, where the revolts started and the only country that has continued its democratic process, is today in an extremely worrying situation with the establishment of emergency rule and the freezing of its elected parliament. The Council expresses its deep concern and calls for a return to democratic mechanisms.
-The destabilisation of the countries on the north-eastern shore of the Mediterranean basin, whose citizens have shown a strong desire for European integration. The situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina has deteriorated and requires an immediate reaction to stop the danger of a return to war, ethnic division and the destruction of state institutions.
Stresses
– The increase in deadly migratory flows, with total indifference on the part of the host states.
-The blatant violation of human rights in the refugee camps in Libya, and throughout the Mediterranean area.
– The suppression, and sometimes criminalisation, of most humanitarian organisations, in the face of Europe’s inability to develop a credible policy on the matter.
– The harmful increase in the effects of climate change in the Mediterranean area: the devastation of coasts and territories as a result of extreme phenomena.
– The progression of desertification on all three shores, leading to a significant reduction in water reserves, in addition to the latent conflicts of the “water wars”.
-The transformation of marine and terrestrial fauna and agro-food crops and the destabilisation of the habitat of animal species that are now invading cities and causing the proliferation of viruses unknown to science;
– The increase in economic and social inequalities in almost all countries in the region, aggravated by the Covid-19 health crisis and its political consequences, particularly with regard to the distribution of vaccines and the ownership of patents in the hands of the richest countries according to the logic of profit, these inequalities have increased within societies during a crisis that has created new rich and, above all, new poor.
– The increased risk of mental disorders, personal and collective depression, linked to the multiple crises currently affecting societies in the Mediterranean area.
– The deterioration of exchanges, particularly at the cultural, health and youth training levels, following the collapse of solidarity between North/North, South/South, North/South and East/West states.
– The rise of populist regimes in Europe, the denial of human rights, free information and freedom of expression, the erection of walls and barbed-wire borders, the persistence of dictatorships and authoritarian “democracies” in most countries in the South and East.
– The exclusion of some countries from the challenges of globalisation and modernisation, amplified by the unequal distribution of cultural goods and technological and information resources.
Denounces
– The persistence and worsening of discrimination against women, children, the elderly and foreigners in particular: at work, in access to employment, in education, in law, in justice, in health and at the intergenerational level.
-The threat to cultural and linguistic diversity.
– The unprecedented violence suffered by migrant populations even in so-called democratic countries and the danger to multicultural societies.
– The rampant corruption in the management of national politics and business, and the infiltration of organised crime, especially during the pandemic;
– The deterioration of democratic practices in many countries around the world, including in the Mediterranean.
States
-The role of the FACM as an expression of citizen resistance through its circles in 19 Mediterranean countries and 29 Euro-Mediterranean cities, through actions of youth training, promotion of cultural meetings, dissemination of verified information, dialogue, inclusion of diversities, cooperation, partnerships and sustained will to draw the attention of state, regional and international bodies to the multiple problems of the Mediterranean, through active participation in international meetings, publications, dissemination and stimulation of debates on the most critical issues;
-The need to resolve conflicts peacefully, through dialogue, recognition of others and the defence of human rights.
-The crucial need for public policies that combat inequality and promote social justice.
-Its will to contribute to the visibility of cultural, linguistic, gender or disability minorities in all their forms in the Mediterranean.
-Hope in the human being, in the spread of an increasingly aware citizenship and in the techno-scientific advances at the service of individuals and societies.
Proposes
-Paying the utmost attention to the younger generations through concrete actions by the civil society institutions of the States in the field of training, cultural exchanges, identification of work and training opportunities in the fields of science, technology, information technology, health, agri-food, environmental protection and nature, research into alternative energy sources, etc.
– The promotion of joint projects for the creation of small businesses for young people in the above-mentioned sectors.
– In recent years, the FACM has increased its efforts and its openness towards Mediterranean youth. Noting the positive impact of this approach, the FACM is committed to accentuating its action in favour of young people, by including them even more in the Foundation’s circles and working bodies, by participating in the structuring of a representative body for young people in the Mediterranean, by influencing public policies that are favourable to them and by developing projects that involve them.
– Maintaining and extending the collaboration between the citizens’ circles of the ACM Foundation and with other Euro-Mediterranean and regional structures.
Wishes for
-A new solidarity between states and their citizens, translated into concrete actions such as the immediate distribution of vaccines to countries in need and the release of patent ownership.
-The involvement of international and regional bodies dedicated to the Mediterranean, as well as civil society institutions in all Mediterranean countries, in the urgent need for a strong and united commitment to reverse a very destructive and degrading trend for our common sea and to move towards peace building.
In conclusion
“The ACM Foundation and its entire network will continue to work for a community of Mediterranean peoples that guarantees peace, respect for diversity, coexistence and freedom and freedom of expression in the region. As well as fundamental respect for the voice of citizens. Together with the existing parliamentary and municipal networks, it would be necessary to articulate a common body that, together with civil society, would promote progress towards this Mediterranean community of peoples”.
The FACM appeals to citizen resistance to face the multiple emergencies suffered by the peoples of the Mediterranean,
Valencia 14 November 2021
ACM Foundation calls for citizen resistance to face the multiple emergencies suffered by the peoples of the Mediterranean
The Mediterranean Citizens’ Assembly Foundation (FACM) held its 9th Meeting in Valencia from 11 to 14 November, placing the situation of millions of citizens in the Mediterranean at the centre of the international political agenda, a decade after the so-called “Arab Springs”. The proposals of this event, in which citizens from around twenty Mediterranean countries have participated, will be widely disseminated among the main Euro-Mediterranean institutions. On this occasion, under the title ‘From a Divided Mediterranean to a Shared Mediterranean: A Decade of Citizen Resistance’, a major interdisciplinary debate was held on the situation in the different Mediterranean countries. The participants, together with specialists, public institutions, and civil society, took stock of the citizens’ movements that we call “Mediterranean Springs” and their attempt to move towards fairer, more democratic, sustainable, and cohesive societies. The new perspectives arising from the Covid-19 pandemic and its negative effects on the population, the economy and society were also considered.
The event provided a space for dialogue and reflection where, in the midst of increasing instability and inequalities in the area, proposals were made on citizen solidarity practised in the framework of Covid-19. The urgent need for effective cooperation between representative public institutions and citizens to prevent hate speech, as well as to facilitate the transition to more sustainable agri-food and energy systems, was highlighted. Former MEP Vicent Garces, President of the ACM Foundation, pointed out that “the popular uprisings of 2010-2011 against authoritarian regimes in the southern and eastern Mediterranean, which brought democratic transformation and social justice, have unfortunately ended in a dead end for the most part.
This Meeting, 10 years later, renews the necessary transformative hope of citizenship”. The IX Meeting of the FACM counted with the participation of Joan Ribó, Mayor of Valencia; Joan Calabuig, Regional Secretary for the European Union and External Relations of the Generalitat Valenciana; Sergio Piazzi, Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (APM); Josep Canals, Secretary General of the Network of Mediterranean Cities Medcités, in the opening session, which took place in the Faculty of Social Sciences of the UV; Blanca Moreno-Dodson, Director of the Centre for Mediterranean Integration (CMI); Ioannis Vardakastanis, President of the Euromed Follow-Up of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC); Christophe Rouillon, Representative of the Euro-Mediterranean Regional and Local Assembly (ARLEM) of the European Committee of the Regions, and Albert Moncusí, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences of the University of Valencia.
Mayor Ribó remarked that in Valencia “the FACM held its first meeting ten years ago and here we meet again at a crucial moment for humanity. A time in which solidarity and collaboration between peoples have proved to be the only useful tools in the face of the great challenges facing the Mediterranean region in the face of the climate emergency and also the worrying increase in hate crimes. Blanca Moreno-Dodson, the director of the Centre for Mediterranean Integration, which operates under the umbrella of the United Nations and with which the FACM has a collaboration agreement, pointed out that “despite the increasing inequalities in the Mediterranean, we must see the pandemic as an opportunity for change”, referring to how regional value chains have proved useful in the face of the difficulty of importing and exporting, thus pointing out that it is crucial to invest in agriculture to sustain our ecosystems but also for food security.
The analysis of the current situation of war and instability in some Mediterranean countries and the role of citizenship in the 10th anniversary of the “Arab Spring” was attended by leading intellectual, academic and social figures such as the French-Syrian political scientist, Salam Kawakibi, the Palestinian diplomat Hassan Al Balawi, the activist Virginie Lafèvre, representing the Lebanese organisation AMEL, which works for the inclusion of refugees; the Moroccan feminist Touria El Oumri; the president of the International Centre for Peace in Sarajevo, Ibrahim Spahic; the analyst and expert on the Middle East, Sébastien Bossois; the journalist and expert on the Mediterranean, Lola Bañon; the president of the Centre for International Mediterranean Studies in Tunisia, Ahmed Driss, among others.
In addition to the conclusions and proposals of the 9th Meeting which will be made public soon, the Advisory Council of the ACM Foundation pointed out that “Tunisia, where the uprisings had begun and the only country to have continued its democratic process, is today in an extremely worrying situation with the establishment of an authoritarian regime and the suspension of its elected Parliament”. Similarly, the FACM Advisory Council has warned of the “destabilisation of the countries on the north-eastern shore of the Mediterranean basin, whose citizens have shown a strong desire for European integration. The situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina has deteriorated and requires an immediate reaction to stop the danger of a return to war, ethnic division and the destruction of state institutions”. The statement notes that “the FACM calls for citizen resistance to face the multiple emergencies suffered by the peoples of the Mediterranean”.
Past editions of the ACM Foundation Meetings have been held in Valencia (2010), Tunis (2011), Volos/Greece (2012), Istanbul (2013), Marseille (2014), Tirana (2015), Casablanca (2017) and Barcelona (2019). In all of them, the FACM promotes dialogue, proposals and citizen action, fostering democratic values of freedom, peace and respect for diversity, as well as environmental responsibility in the Mediterranean.