The Anna Lindh Foundation Mediterranean Forum 2013 was inaugurated in Marseille by a panel of
\ndistinguished personalities from the political and civil society areas. The Parliamentary Assembly of
\nthe Mediterranean, as a full member of the Anna Lindh Network, is among the regional organization
\npresent at the Forum. The event brings together around a thousand representatives of civil society,
\nyoung people, artists, locally-elected officials and economic players from both shores of the
\nMediterranean.
\nPAM Vice President, Hon. Michel Vauzelle, in his remarks highlighted the importance of the value
\nof the Mediterranean which, in this event, was represented from North to South. He also referred to
\nthe Israeli Palestinian conflict and its human geographical factor, as well as migration and the notion
\nof welcoming the Southerners in the North and make them feel welcome instead of reject ing them
\nand marginalizing them. The fate of the Mediterranean is shared by all, and what happens in the
\nSouth is felt in the North just the same. \u201cWe need a Mediterranean Spring and a European Spring,
\nwhere young people coming from the South find in Europe a welcoming home\u201d, Hon. Vauzelle
\nconcluded.
\nThe forum organised every three years by the Anna Lindh Foundation, is aimed at providing an
\ninnovative and participative space for debate, networking and good practice exchange on intercultural
\ndialogue initiatives. It is also a platform for unique perspectives, and the participation of people from
\ndiverse origins, cultures and beliefs who can turn new ideas into action following the Forum.
\nPAM President, Sen. Amoruso will also hold a bilateral meeting with the President of the Anna
\nLindh Foundation, Dr. Andr\u00e9 Azoulay, with whom further structured cooperation will be discussed,
\nin line with PAM\u2019s vision to work closer with the civil society representatives, and in order to
\nbroaden its spectrum of collaboration at the international level, as it has already done with the UN
\nAlliance of Civilisations.<\/p>\n