Maria da Graça Carvalho participated at the Plenary of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean, which took place at the King Hussein Bin Talal Convention Centre, Dead Sea, Jordan on 8 and 9 February 2014.
The plenary session focused on the Middle East Peace Process and the situation of Syrian refugees in Turkey and Lebanon.
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM) was represented by Senator Dr.Mohammed Halaiquah that referred the commitment of both parliamentary organizations to support the democratic processes in some Southern Mediterranean countries, and to promote initiatives aimed at stimulating investments and job creation for the youth of the region.
Maria da Graça Carvalho highlighted the role of education in the peace process in the Middle East underlining that it is through education, culture, science and communication that a culture of peace is created.
Stressed that it is consensual that investment in Higher Education, Science and Innovation lies at the heart of economic and social development, and therefore, the way countries invest in knowledge will determine the ability to take advantage of new opportunities arising from globalization as well as the possibility to face local and global challenges.
Maria da Graça Carvalho referred to the programs developed in Europe [ERASMUS+], leveraged on EU priorities internally and in cooperation with third countries, that promote partnerships, multilateral mobility and exchanges of students, teachers and researchers between the EU and third countries.
She also recognised the need to increase the use of these programs, allowing the contact with new cultural and social environments, hence, facilitating the understanding of other cultures and making Europe a global actor in building a culture of peace