Abu Dhabi discussion series to consider 'tolerance and intercultural dialogue'

The Warehouse421 event will bring together an expert panel as Year of Tolerance nears its conclusion

Thinkers and Doers, a think-and-do tank, previously held a series of talks back in February. Courtesy Thinkers and Doers

The latest in a series of cultural conversations will take place later this week in Abu Dhabi with a discussion titled Tolerance and Intercultural Dialogue as a Driver for Peace.

The event is organised by the think-and-do tank Thinkers and Doers, in co-production with the French Institute in the UAE, the French embassy’s cultural department. It will be held at Warehouse421 from 9am on Wednesday, December 11.

The discussion will be between Sheikha Lubna bint Khaled Al Qasimi, former Minister of State for Tolerance, Rachid Benzine, a philosopher and author, and Manal Ataya, Director General of Sharjah Museums Authority. The conversation will be moderated by Mina Al-Oraibi, The National's Editor-in-Chief.

Eudeline de Tinguy, co-founder of Thinkers and Doers, said: “Through our different initiatives and projects, and as part of the UN Global Compact, intercultural dialogue and peaceful co-existence is a central component of our work. And we are honoured to bring this conversation cycle to Abu Dhabi again and to take part in this Year of Tolerance.”

Ludovic Pouille, French ambassador to the UAE, said this week’s event was a reflection of the nature of the modern world.

“Since 2017, the Institut Français in the UAE, the cultural department of the French embassy, has joined forces with Thinkers and Doers, driven by a shared passion for arts and culture, and a strong interest in the new challenges to contemporary societies.

“For this specific conversation at Warehouse421, and as a tribute to the Year of Tolerance, we wanted to tackle questions that arise from our hyper-connected and cosmopolitan world, especially in the UAE.”

For more information www.thinkers-doers.com