The first meeting of the Arab-European Young Leaders Forum took place in Vienna. A joint initiative of the BMW Stiftung Herbert Quandt and the Austrian Ministry for European and International Affairs, the Forum was held in cooperation with the League of Arab States and the OPEC Fund for International Development.

Over four days, the conference participants dealt with the topic of “Promoting Responsible Leadership – Innovative Forms of Cross-Cultural Cooperation.” Especially in light of the current integration debates in several EU member states, the panelists agreed that promoting the dialogue and strengthening the cooperation between the two regions was essential for continued good relations between Europe and the Arab World.

His Excellency, Mr. Amre Moussa, Secretary General of the League of Arab States, stressed the important role of the young generation in shaping the future. He called on those present to promote sustainable development in order to improve the opportunities for young people in the long term. This goal is also pursued by another Forum participant, Salvatore Nigro, CEO Europe of the Education for Employment Foundation which helps young people make the transition to the job market. Integration into the job market, he emphasized, is a prerequisite for social integration.

Following the panel discussion, the participants visited innovative social projects in Vienna such as a car-free housing project in Vienna-Floridsdorf, where the deliberate decision not to use cars or build parking lots makes it possible to support community projects that enhance social cohesion among the residents, or “Interface Vienna,” a project supported by the municipality that facilitates immigrant integration in Vienna. In addition, three participants presented their social projects that were commented and reflected on from both a European and an Arab perspective. The other participants contributed their expertise and knowledge to solving challenges and developing concrete plans for intercultural cooperation.

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