The Director of UN-INSTRAW, Ms Carmen Moreno, attended the First Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations that gathered over 300 representatives of international regional organizations, donor agencies, diplomats, media leaders, academia, grassroots and civil society.

The Forum was held on 15-17 January 2008 in Madrid (Spain), with the objective of presenting twelve strategic points aimed at promoting collaboration between East and West through the creation of joint programmes and projects.

Amongst the measures proposed at the Forum are: involving foundations and private enterprises in making important economic contributions to the information and communications fields, the creation of a Solidarity Fund that motivates more employment for the youth, the creation of a mechanism whereby global experts will assist the media in dealing with important transcultural crises, the promotion of national strategic plans in order to establish collaboration programmes with international organizations, and promoting educational programmes.

In 2009, the Forum will meet again in Turkey.