European Commission president in talks with religious leaders

Representatives of various religions have met with the president of the European Commission, José Manuel Durão Barroso, in Brussels. Jewish leaders proposed that the Commission become more involved in education policy to ensure adequate instruments are deployed across the EU to acquaint young people with the various faiths and their traditions, including the respect for different religious calendars and customs in all EU member states. Rabbi Aba Dunner, executive director of the Conference of European Rabbis, said that European integration went hand in hand with the recognition of European diversity. “The recognition and respect for Jewish culture and tradition in Europe is no more than Europe recognizing an integral part of its own history." Maram Stern, the World Jewish Congress' deputy secretary-general, told the gathering that religious associations and institutions had an important role to play to overcome prejudices and stereotypes in the European Union. The meeting with Barroso was attended by representatives of the Anglican, Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant churches as well as of the Muslim and Jewish communities in Europe.