We, undersigned (Professors, Daniela Piattelli, University of Salerno, Mirella Mafrici, University of Salerno, Giovanni Dotoli, University of Bari, Massimo Papa, University of Bologna, Gian Maria Piccinelli, University of Naples II, Sebastiano Martelli, University of Salerno, Giovanna Fiume, University of Palermo, Carlo Di Benedetta, University of Bari, Cosimo Notarstefano, University of Lecce, Luigi Ambrosi, University of Foggia, Paolo Buccieri, University of Rome III, Giovanna Diana, CMU) gathered at Salerno on June 22 23, 2001 on the initiative of Prof. Piattelli of the Department of Theory and History of Law of the University of Salerno, in the light of the present orientations of the Community of the Mediterranean Universities aiming at promoting cooperation in the activities of both education and research, and also on the basis of the orientations expressed by the General Meeting and of the Council held in Valencia (May 2000) and Paestum (October), respectively

D E C L A R E

that it is our intention to promote the establishment of a Pole of the Humanities of the Mediterranean Area which deals with multidisciplinary topics focusing on the dialogue amongst the peoples of the Mediterranean Basin through the setting up of education networks in the individual sectors and the involvement of universities, scientific and education centers as well as of local authorities and agencies.

To this purpose we, undersigned agree on:

1. the setting up specific courses, master courses, doctorates, degrees and the like concerning, as an indication, the sectors mentioned hereinafter;
2. the establishment of a Center of Mediterranean Interculture for the enhancement and spreading of human sciences by the setting up of an Observatory on Education and Interdisciplinary Research;
3. the need to explore and verify the availability of funding sources to carry out the above initiatives at a regional (POR, POM) level, at a national (MURST, other Ministries, PON) level, and at a Community (MEDA, INTERREG) level, or at any other levels;
4. the implementation of all this activities by means of both LAN and WAN transmission;
5. the need to intensify contracts and formalize the adhesion of our institutions to the initiatives as they are planned;
6. prioritising the identification of the Mediterranean Institutions to be involved in the various programs on a partnership basis;
7. the advisability of appointing restricted working groups to study the contents of the different sectors of education.

The participants select the following guidelines for the different sectors:

1. human sciences and new technology;
2. the youth and culture;
3. enhancement and recovery of the cultural heritage;
4. the role of the civil society;
5. tourist resources;
6. institutions and civil service;
7. ethnic and linguistic minorities;
8. migrations;
9. wild and anthropic environment;
10. cities and urban and rural settlements;
11. languages, cultures and literatures;
12. the idea of the Mediterranean;
13. the publishing sector.

CMU, in its capacity of institution that carries out international and inter-University education and research activities, undertakes to put at the disposal of this project its own education and research networks for the most successful fulfilment of this initiative and forward the present declaration to its Member-Universities and to the other institutions involved and keep them informed of the developments of the various initiatives.

Salerno June 23, 2001

For any further information please contact CMU.