Hanno Pevkur on the ELDW 2016 : “ Identifying ways to promote cultural diversity as richness and not a threat is crucial ”
Interior Minister of Estonia, Hanno Pevkur, addressed Congress members at their 31st Session, on 20 October 2016, in Strasbourg (France). During his intervention, he stressed the role of local and regional authorities in tackling radicalisation and extreme violence. The Minister said “A welcomed example is the theme of the European Local Democracy Week 2016 : “Living together in culturally diverse societies: respect, dialogue, interaction. Identifying ways to promote cultural diversity as richness and not a threat is crucial”. “Much responsibility falls on the shoulders of local and regional authorities, who have to deal directly with the difficult consequences of social fragmentation and mistrust between citizens” added Mr Pevkur. He concluded mentioning other issues in which local and regional authorities can play a key role, in particular, children’s rights and gender equality.