Local Authorities and Interfaith Dialogue

The rulers of Western societies are confronted today with diverse cultural identities based more clearly than in the past on beliefs and religious affiliations, a veritable melting pot of referents and identity links. The organization in 2006 of a conference on local authorities and religious individuals entitled Strategies for Consolidating Inter-religious Dialogue held at the initiative of the Committee on Culture and Education of the Council of Europe immediately raises at least two preliminary questions: what is the significance of this initiative, and why pay attention to the local level?