As the meeting-point between Asia, Africa and Europe, the Mediterranean has a unique history stretching back ten thousand years. No other region has seen so many different successive civilisations in such a relatively small area. As birthplace to the three great monotheistic revealed religions, it was for a long time the centre of the known world.

The Mediterranean has acted as a crucible for fundamental philosophical and scientific discoveries. The strong sense of identity characterising the peoples living around it have often sparked off wars, but the conflicts it has always experienced have never permanently prevented people from travelling or ideas from spreading.

Within the region, despite the numerous different influences on it and the great diversity of its languages and cultures, there gradually grew up a shared sense of belonging, even though the Mediterraneans have widely differing images of themselves and their sea.

René Seydoux, who was the inspiration behind the Foundation named after him, was convinced that the countries around the Mediterranean had to have a common future, and that it was essential to build it through dialogue, meetings and exchanges, especially between young people.

True to this outlook, for over twenty years the Foundation has instigated activities which help break down conceptual barriers between the two shores and promote a Mediterranean united in its diversity.