October 2024 – Barcelona, Spain
At the Euro-Mediterranean Civil Society Conference titled “Reclaiming Our Shared Humanity: Countering Polarisation, Dehumanisation, and Radicalisation Driven by the Middle East Conflict,” Khaled Emam, the Director of Justice Call, delivered a compelling address on the urgent need for unity and dialogue in the face of escalating conflicts. The conference focused on how the ongoing Middle East conflict, particularly the recent escalation since October 7, 2023, has intensified polarization, dehumanization, and radicalization across the region.
Khaled emphasized the critical role of civil society in fostering fact-based, inclusive exchanges to counter these divisive trends, which threaten social cohesion and regional peace efforts. Addressing the wars in Gaza, Lebanon, and Sudan, he called for an immediate ceasefire, stating, “We need a ceasefire in Gaza, Lebanon, and Sudan now; this should be our absolute priority. We must stop these atrocities that have taken so many lives and will leave millions traumatized for a generation.”
The conference aimed to bring together civil society actors from across the Euro-Mediterranean region to reaffirm the importance of cooperative solutions, counter information manipulation, and promote narratives rooted in shared values. Participants discussed ways to move beyond zero-sum thinking and address the polarizing effects of the conflict with a united, solution-oriented approach.
#JusticeCall #EuroMedConference #PeaceBuilding