Official Conference Declaration MJC 2010
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The Muslim Jewish Conference 2010 is
is officially over.
Thank you for all your support and interest!
"Our first step together creating the power to forge a link between possibility and reality.
Because the pronunciation of our names is no barrier for friendships"
In recent times, most Jewish and Muslim youth have not had constructive contact with each other, so their opinions regarding one another are mainly based on stereotypes and prejudices dispersed both by their media and society. There is a considerable lack of motivation in recognizing and understanding the wishes, fears, problems, and hopes of their communities.
We are strongly convinced that young individuals around the world would more than welcome such a multi-cultural and multi-religious dialogue. By offering a forum, we wish to go beyond the borders of our dogmas and enter a phase where Muslims and Jews can see each other again as friends and allies who can together face the challenges that lie ahead. Our collective faith has no name, but is the faith in the possibility of a peaceful coexistence. Although we all clearly know there wont bea simple or fast solution for problems such as armed conflicts throughout the Middle East, we feel determined and convinced to address the topic of lacking communication and contribute to a long term change towards mutual appreciation.
The MJC aims to initiate as well as maintain a platform for discussion and networking about and between Jewish and Muslim communities, to contribute to a peaceful globalized world. This conference also aims towards identifying future needs, challenges and opportunities for finding and formulating shared positions and recommendations.
As such, the MJC is a dialogue and leadership project that targets the leaders of tomorrow from sectors of economics, academics and politics in the beginnings of their careers. The expectations are that this conference will:
1. develop an inter-cultural and inter-religious language and interaction between young academics of both religions to reduce preconceived bias by facilitating a platform for discussion and exchange.
2. strengthen a vital interest in improving dialogue and cooperation between Muslims and Jews by reducing and preventing stereotypes and prejudices; and
3. establish a contact and networking framework, used by the participants personally as well as professionally and additionally by committees and the annual MJC conference.
It must be pointed out, that the main agenda of the conference is not a political one nor is it a debate upon the validity of our religions. It is rather an interdisciplinary exchange based on mutual respect and tolerance where differences are being acknowledged and moved beyond.
The participants represent a new generation of thinkers, doers and allies, who are connected by their faith in the possibility of a new era of cooperation. Our aim is to establish the MJC as a well known name providing real change in the interaction of Muslim and Jewish communities around the world. This conference will be our first step together creating the power to forge a link between possibility and reality and actively shape our future
The MJC 2010 will be held at the insitute of International Development, at the University of Vienna, Austria.
Throughout history, Vienna has been a city in which different cultures and people from different origins meet each other in productive ways. It also bears witness to the darkest ages in Europe's history, where the power of dialogue ceased functioning as a whole and resulted in the first industrialized genocide during the existence of mankind: the holocaust. Keeping this in mind, but also due to the fact that the City is home to several UN councils and considered a center-point for international negotiations, Vienna seemed most appropriate for hosting our first MJC, not only in the heart of Europe but also on neutral ground.
SUNDAY 01.08.2010
Registration in Vienna 12 - 3 PM
Opening ceremony 3 - 6 PM
MONDAY 02.08.2010
to THURSDAY .05.08.2010
Morning:
Committee Session
Coffe break
Lunch break
Afternoon:
and/or
Guest-speaker Session
Evening:
Break
Social Events
FRIDAY 06.08.2010
Presentation of conference declarations and results
Closing Ceremony
Noon:
Official End of Conference
Sunday
Opening Ceremony & Reception
Monday
Music Act
Tuesday
Committee Dinner & Outdoor Cinema
Wednesday
Sightseeing & BBQ
Thursday
Gala Dinner & Bar
Friday
GUEST SPEAKERS
Rabbi Marc Schneier is the President and Founder of The Foundation for Ethnic Understanding (FFEU) and as one of the leading voices in the field of intergroup and race relations, reconciliation and understanding, Rabbi Schneier promotes dialogue and cooperation among the Jewish, Muslim, and Christian faith communities. He has been honored by the United States Congress and the State of Israel as an advocate for human and civil rights and religious and ethnic tolerance.
Ibrahim Issa is the Co-Director of Hope Flowers School, located in Palestinian territory. As small independent school, Hope Flowers is unique in the Palestinian territories in that it has a remarkable educational philosophy. It has a special curriculum dedicated to peace, democracy, human rights, conflict-resolution and understanding. The school also hosts meetings and programmes for local people and parents to discuss issues regarding their childrens education as well as general topics such as womens rights, democracy, health and other community concerns.
Rabbi Marc Raphaël Guedj is the President of the Geneva-based interreligious Foundation 'Racines Et Sources' (roots and well-springs), bringing rabbis and imams together to work for peace. He is the former Chief Rabbi of Genevas traditional Jewish congregation. Rabbi Guedj is a member of the Editorial Committee of the World Congress of Imams and Rabbis for Peace, UNESCO.
Faouzi Skali is an anthropologist and ethnologist; professor at the Ecole Normale Supérieure in Fes, Morocco, an author of many publications including "La Voie Soufi" (The Soufi Path) and "Traces de Lumiere" (Traces of Light), Initiator of the Mediterranean Institute for Dialogue Project and Director of the Fes Festival of World Sacred Music. Dr. Skali has coordinated a colloquium to follow the festival called Giving Soul to Globalization, a meeting place for humanitarians and international leaders in the business world to work together to develop more space for spirituality in the working world. He was designated in 2001, by the UN, among seven world personalities having contributed to the Dialogue of Civilisations.
TOPICS & COMMITTEES
Participants may choose from 3 thematic committees, in which the Conference will be split .
1. Islamophobia and Anti-Semitism
A lack of knowledge and experience throughout all societies perpetuates both phenomena; Islamophobia and Anti-Semitism. Presumptions and preconceptions offer fertile ground for xenophobic ideas that reach all corners of the world. The alarming power behind these terms, the legal aspects, as well as the role of Europe as a hot spot for both communities will be the basis for discussion in the first Committee.
2. Education
It is generally accepted that education is the key to the personal development of individuals and to the health and growth of a country. However, the design, implementation and recipients of education vary strongly. The second Committee will focus on the kind of knowledge that is imparted through educational institutions, religious influence and the prospects of an inter-cultural approach.
3. The Role of Media
The media, regarding its power within today's societies, has significant influence concerning the increase or decrease of stereotypes and prejudices. The third committee will deal concretely with the role of the media and its effect on intercultural behavior. Its impact on interfaith awareness will be reviewed and analyzed for its potential of bridge-building and peace-building activities.
The conference will be held from the 1st to the 6th of August 2010.
Registration and the Opening Ceremony will be held in Vienna on Sunday, 1st of August.
The Closing Ceremony will be held on Friday 6th of August, at noon.
There will be subsidies for accommodation starting from 1st of August until the 7h of August.
There are 15 Students working together on this project, bringing valuable experience and diplomatic skills to the team as well as expertise in cross cultural dialogue. Coming from eight different countries Austria, Pakistan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, Libya, Turkey, Israel and the United States of America, the core team is already well trained in interfaith communication. Our interaction in bringing the first MJC to the world shows that inter-faith and inter-cultural bonds can be strong, if only we are given a chance to create them. Together we want to show the world that it is not so difficult to overcome barriers and borders in order to talk to each other, in our hearts and minds as well as geographically.
Thank you for showing interest in The Muslim Jewish Conference!
The registration for the MJC, Vienna 2010 is now closed.
Throughout history, Vienna has been a city in which different cultures and people from different origins meet each other in productive ways. It also bears witness to the darkest ages in Europe's history were the power of dialogue seized as a whole to function and resulted in the first industrialized genocide in the existance of mindkind; the holocaust. Keeping this in mind but also due to the fact, that the City is a modern Capital of international negotiations, home to several UN councils and the Capital of a neutral country, Vienna seemed most appropriate for us to host our first MJC not only in the heart of Europe but also on neutral ground.
The conference will be split into 3 thematic committees, the participants may attend:
The media, regarding its power within the societies of today, has significant influence concerning the increase or decrease of stereotypes and prejudices. The third committee will deal concretely with the role of the media and its effect on intercultural behaviour. Its impact on interfaith awareness will be reviewed and analyzed for its potential of bridge-building and peace-building activities.
Mag Dr Jameleddine Ben Abdeljelil, Assistant for Islamic Studies at the Department of Near Eastern Studies at the University of Vienna, editorial board member of polylog 'magazine for intercultural philosophizing' and board member of the WiGiP (Viennese society for intercultural philosophy)
Ibrahim Issa, Co-Director of Hope Flowers School, Bethlehem, where students receive a human-rights based education dedicated to peace, democracy, human rights, conflict-resolution and understanding alongside the formal national curriculum.
Prof Eveline Goodman-Thau, first orthodox woman rabbi and founder of the Hermann Cohen Academy in Buchen (Odenwald); as its director she organizes conferences and learner's seminaries, especially for Jewish women.
André Heller, Austrian artist, author, singer and actor
Josef Hader, Austrian comedian and actor
Dr Alois Mock former vice-chancellor and foreign minister of Austria, former President of the International Democratic Union (IDU), founder of the Central European Initiative (CEI)
Dipl Ing Dr Franz Fischler, President of the Eco-Social Forum, former European Union's Commissioner and former Federal Minister for Agriculture and Forestry in Austria. Expert on international food crisis and development and advocat of the Un Millennium Development Goals
Abbas Khider, award winning iraqi-german writer (a.o. honorary certificate iraqi-International Cultic Studies Association (I.C.S.A.))
Rafi Elul, advisor to the President of Israel for social and welfare matters, former consultant to the Prime Minister of Israel in social and welfare matters, former member of the Israeli Parliament for eight years, formerly one of the youngest mayors in Israeli history at age 24.
Patronage & Honorary Committee
Honorary Committee
Patricia Kahane, President of the 'Karl Kahane Foundation'
Rabbi Marc Schneier, Chairman of the World Jewish Congress American Section, founder and president of The Foundation for Ethnic Understanding, and the founding Rabbi of The Hampton Synagogue in Westhampton Beach, New York and the New York Synagogue in Manhattan
Dr Michael Häupl, Mayor of the City of Vienna
Susanne Scholl, Austrian Journalist and writer, former Head of the ORF bureau in Moscow
Dr Zeynep Taluy-Grossruck, former Director of UNIDO (United Nations Industrial Development Organization), Private Sector Development Branch
Patronage
Dr Heinz Fischer
President of the Republic of Austria
Ilja Sichrovsky
Secretary General
(photo 3)
Ilja Sichrosvky
(photo 1)
(photo 2)
Ehab Bilal
Assistant
Muslim Jewish Conference
Vienna 2010
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Wien 2010
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Offcial Conference Concept
MJC 2010
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Contact Us
If you would like to support us or if you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us in either English, German, French, Hebrew or Arabic
Supporters &
Friends of the MJC
Institute for International Development & Institute for African Sciences of the University of Vienna
Ulrike Auer & Elke Christiansen
Austrian exchange Service (OEAD)
Sonja Sahin
Bruno Kreisky Forum
Hommes de Parole
Guillaume Bessieres
Café Hawelka
Nuovo Capital Singapore
Joshua Food Art Catering
Ost Klub
Zentrum für Translationswissenschaft der Universität Wien
Gerhard Budin
Persons
Dr Danielle Spera
Walter Ruby
Gemeinderat Peter
Florianschütz
Dr Alfons Kloss
Christine Weissbarth
Daniel Shaked
Martin Binder-Blumenthal
Marie-Christine Hartig
Sebastian Endler
Julia Süss (daheim.tv)
Jacqueline Nowikovsky
Simone Biach
Alexander Krawehl
Organizations & Companies
Karl Kahane Foundation
Patricia Kahane & Arthur Resetschnig
United Nations Alliance of Civilisations
Isabelle Legare & Anna Urombi & Thomas Uthup
University of Vienna
Vizerektor Arthur Mettinger & Eva-Gabriela Toifl
Austrian Foreign Ministry
Mag. Sabine Kroissenbrunner
