|PIC1|Intercultural dialogue needs the input of the major faiths, says the Council of the Community of Protestant Churches in Europe (CPCE).

In a statement welcoming the Council of Europe's May white paper on intercultural dialogue, the CPCE said that the increasing cultural diversity of Europe presented new social and political challenges which made intercultural dialogue even more necessary.

"Intercultural dialogue is therefore not a marginal phenomenon for European societies but a process which belongs at the centre of society," it said.

The Council of Europe's white paper was agreed last month by the 47-member Committee of Ministers in Strasbourg. The paper stated that intercultural dialogue had an "important role" to play in the fostering of a European identity by helping to "prevent ethnic, religious, linguistic and cultural divides", and by enabling Europe to "move forward together, to deal with our different identities constructively and democratically on the basis of shared universal values".

The white paper went on to stress the important contribution that religious communities could make to "an increased understanding between different cultures" through engaging in inter-religious dialogue.

The CPCE welcomed the white paper's commitment to the inclusion of religion in intercultural dialogue.

"We are convinced that certainty about one's own religious identity and understanding of the convictions and views of others are important elements in intercultural dialogue," the CPCE stated.

It stressed, however, "It is important that the religions should not just be seen as factors of conflict in intercultural dialogue.

"We want to encourage the Council of Europe to note the positive contribution that faith communities make in everyday life to the common good in European societies."

The CPCE said that the identity of the other must be respected in intercultural dialogue but also urged the Council of Europe to ensure that such dialogue would include the right to criticise different beliefs.

"The churches of the Reformation grew out of criticism of existing church conditions and doctrines and feel particularly committed to freedom of faith and conscience," the statement read.

"The claim of the religions to be able to criticise other religions or social conditions in public must include the readiness to allow themselves to be put in question."

The CPCE issued the statement following its three-day meeting in Paris last weekend.