Mondialogo promotes dialogue and the discovery of different viewpoints. A key strategy is using technology - Mondialogo portal - to enable interaction between culturally diverse young people. The idea is to build a forum for communication and information that is accessible regardless of time and place. One feature available on the site is the Mondialogo World Link, which enables people to find a partner and "create a link" by engaging in a virtual dialogue with a particular individual across the globe. In addition, users of the Worldwide Dialogue Forum are invited to engage in dialogue with many different people worldwide, sharing their thoughts and posting their opinions about various issues. The portal is available in English, Spanish, French, and German.

This programme's contest and award projects draw on young people's embrace of teamwork, competitive spirit, and sense of fun. The Worldwide School Contest was designed to motivate students to explore and appreciate cultural diversity. Intra-school project teams made up of students between the ages of 15-18 and one supervising teacher focused on the topic of intercultural dialogue. The teams worked through these issues together with students from a partner school on another continent (which Mondialogo matched in January 2004). The Mondialogo portal supported this effort. For example, a World Team map enabled students to see where other teams are located, and to view their self-created team web pages. An online forum - part of a special "team area" on the Mondialogo website - fostered exchange of information and perspectives about intercultural dialogue.

The teams and teachers of especially committed partner schools were rewarded by an opportunity to continue the relationship in person. Two "ambassadors" from 25 partner teams met at the international Mondialogo Symposium in Barcelona, Spain in September 2004. At a ceremony there, 3 outstanding partner teams received a donation of either EUR 500, EUR 1000 or EUR 1500 to be used for the benefit of their schools. An international Jury comprising Brazilian writer Paulo Coelho, former President of Iceland Vigdis Finnbogadottir, Lebanese composer Marcel Khalifé, Japanese painter Countess Setsuko Klossowska de Rola, and Malian scientist Cheick Modibo Diarra selected the winners from among 50 finalists from 36 countries. First place was awarded to the partner team from Azerbaijan and Nigeria, who developed a joint intercultural game and illustrated their daily life for their partner school in pictures. The two schools were each awarded a cash prize of EUR 1,500.

Second, the Mondialogo Engineering Award is designed to promote intercultural dialogue and cooperation between young engineers and technicians from technical schools and universities all over the world. The award scheme is aimed at the search for solutions geared toward the needs of developing countries. The application guidelines state that project teams must either include members from developing countries, or work with an organisation in a developing country. In the foreground will be attempts to use science and technology to improve living conditions by addressing basic needs such as the provision of water, food, medical services, or housing. Both the World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO) and the International Association of Universities (IAU) are offering their networks and expertise. One part of the Mondialogo portal is set aside as a central communication platform - participants are able to introduce themselves, present their projects, make contact with experts and colleagues, and conduct exchanges with potential partners. As of this writing, applications have been submitted; participants are in a proposal development phase that will end on December 31 2004. The 20 best proposals will each be awarded EUR 15,000 in a March 2005 ceremony as part of an international event.

Finally, the online Mondialogo Magazine features articles (raising questions such as "You can learn foreign languages - but is the same true of different cultures?"), reports on cultural discovery, interviews, and special features.

Youth, Cultural Diversity.