UN seminar in Spain to examine peace plans for Middle East

International experts, Israeli and Palestinian policy-makers and senior journalists and United Nations officials will gather in Seville, Spain, next week for a two-day discussion of peace plans for the Middle East.

During the 21 to 22 October seminar, organized by the UN Department of Public Information (DPI), participants will reflect on what is known as "the road map to peace in the Middle East," as well as examine media coverage of the conflict and the roles of education, literature and culture in establishing a peace dialogue.

The encounter aims at "sensitizing public opinion to the question of Palestine" and creating "an atmosphere conducive to dialogue and supportive of the peace process."

Similar encounters previously were held in Helsinki, Lisbon, London, Elsinore, Denmark, Athens, Prague, New Delhi, Paris and Copenhagen.

Under-Secretary-General Shashi Tharoor is scheduled to read a message from UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and moderate the seminar. The UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Process, Terje Roed-Larsen, will give the keynote address and Manuel Chaves Gonzalez, president of the government of Andalusia, will inaugurate the event.