Antonio P APISCA - Courage and inspiration are needed to renew the European dream and

Professor Emeritus of the University of Padua, Jean Monnet Professor ad honorem, Chairholder Unesco Chair human rights,

democracy and peace

The European Union’s governance capabilities are being increasingly challenged by the tentacular dynamics of the process of globalisation. Its first response lies in recovering the collective awareness that the EU is an original model of governance, able to set an example to the entire world, as a system specialised in pursuing objectives of both social peace within its borders and international peace, using the resources which nourish the soft power of a macro civil actor.

Among the several resources available to the EU, it is worth underlining the vision of economy as a social market economy oriented to full occupation, the practice of the internal and external “dialogues”

of the Union (social dialogue, civil dialogue, intercultural dialogue, political dialogues with third countries), the valorisation of the role of local governments as well as of the “platforms” of civil society organisations, with particular attention to be paid to the architecture of subsidiarity. Moreover, the fact that the EU has broadened the practice of democracy within its borders, both representative and participatory, and the fact that it has introduced the “human rights clause” into all its agreements signed with third countries is certainly indicative, inter alia, of its ability to “lead by example”.

With the Lisbon Treaty, which assigns fully binding legal character to the Charter of Fundamental Rights proclaimed in Nice in 2000, the whole system of the Union is marked with the seal of

“constitutionality”, summarised in the triad “rule of law, human rights, and democratic principles”. The Charter of Fundamental Rights itself presents elements of originality within the typology of international human rights legal instruments: it includes both civil and political rights and economic, social and cultural rights, with a logical reference to the principle of their interdependence and indivisibility. Therefore, the Charter also provides an explicit legal basis for a social market

economy; in other words, it compels the Union to authentically be a

“Social Europe”.

Léonce Bekemans plans his explorative journey through the thematic galaxy of globalisation and the interactions existing between the processual and institutional reality of Europeanisation, proving himself capable of building a systematic analytical scheme allowing him to avail himself of conceptual categories located in the most advanced frontier of international and European studies: multi-level governance, plural citizenship, multiple identities, sustainable statehood, humancentrism.

Throughout this stimulating analytical journey, he accompanies his scientific exploration with a compass that allows him to evaluate processes and institutions against the yardstick of universal ethics. This is the compass of human rights, recognised at both the global and European levels. This is empirical evidence that neither political science nor international relations scholars can ignore. One only has to recall that reference to a paradigm based on values is indispensable for an action – and policy – oriented type of analysis, such as the one carried out by Bekemans. Far from invalidating the scientific accuracy of this analysis, a wise usage of this compass, beyond conferring an added quality value, allows the author to give the reader a glimpse of the new challenges and opportunities available for the same work of theorisation:

hence, the also heuristic utility of this book.

Léonce Bekemans’s preoccupation with good governance and with the example that the European Union is urged to set in this field, brings him to make strongly relevant the quality of political culture and, therefore, the strategic role of human rights-based education, with a view to training new generations of citizens and leaders so that they are disposed to pursue common good objectives, such as intercultural dialogue in respect of diversity, and the affirmation of equal citizenship rights in inclusive cities and in an inclusive Europe. The message for the European Union is that it needs to make its educational policy more systematic and turn it into a quality education more marked by human rights than by market demands.

Léonce Bekemans, both in his vocation and as a result of his life experience in a space that is authentically glocal and multi-dimensional, is an educator capable of translating his vast scientific knowledge through publications that are, at the same time, useful to both decision-makers and students. This current volume, which is structured as a compendium of systematically undertaken reflections and as a strategic agenda for European Union policies, will be particularly appreciated by those who want to see what opportunities might emerge around the corner for human development and human security in Europe and, beyond Europe, in the world.

Preface

Luc V

AN DEN

B

RANDE

Former Minister-president of Flanders, Belgium, Former President of the Committee of the Regions, European Union

The European movement, which was formed after the Second World War, was built upon the conviction that sustainable peace on our continent was only possible if cooperation replaced the confrontations between nation-states that has led to so much human devaluation and destruction in previous centuries.

The founders of the current political European Union recognised that Europe’s future was to be rooted in partnership; however, they could not avoid the fact that the scars of the geographical and subsequently democratic re-allocation of the past, would lead to a Cold War which, until the fall of the Berlin Wall, would result in a worldwide bipolarity.

Simultaneously a second movement took shape and what neither religion nor the Enlightenment had been able to achieve, happened: the recognition of human rights as an individual and inalienable right.

Despite how imperfect democracies may be, these fundamental rights have been enforced by the European Convention, and now have full European support.

Our world has since been profoundly changed. Multilevelness has replaced centralism. States and institutions have steadily lost their importance. Secularisation has progressed. Glocalism has replaced epicentrism. Citizens have become much more emancipated. New inter-connections have emerged, stimulated by the powerful force of the media. Networking is dominating. Sustainability has become an integral part of economic activities and policies. The paradigm that only centrally governed processes and institutions can obtain results has been rendered outdated. Multilateralism, level Governance and Multi-Actorship have forcefully entered the academic and policy debate.

Not only has the global and European setting been drastically changed, but the interconnection of mutually influencing views and transformations is urging Europe to reflect on its future, its vision and its mission. Europe is at a crossroads, during a time when economic crisis

is raging and young people have fewer perspectives. This particular crisis, along with other equally important others, are the consequence of the insecurities felt at numerous levels and illustrate a multiple lack of confidence. This increasing lack of confidence is being felt among people and in the face of structures and mechanisms that have long been inviolable, but are now slowly crumbling away.

All this has been understood by Prof. Dr. Léonce Bekemans. In this comprehensive work the genesis and subsequent slow construction of Europe has been sharply analysed and evaluated. His reflections depart from, rather uniquely, an interdisciplinary context, and go beyond the too often cherished and rigid partitions. Starting from integration, inclusion, diversity and governance he scientifically distances himself from the traditional conceptual framework and introduces new insights and actors to the enlarged and deepened playing field of global and European relations. He further applies this renewed conceptual framework to a number of crosscutting policy areas such as foreign relations, culture, and education with some interesting policy practices.

The attention he devotes to the true significance of citizenship is striking, based on the importance of education and shaped by the changed context of multiculturalism towards interculturality. He adopts a cosmopolitan approach and focuses on the regional and territorial identity of the European integration process within the growing globalisation. This brings him to a renewed and applied conceptual framework for the future, a rich idea of a humanising and active “nova civitas”.

Not least is to his great merit that he does not limit himself to an indepth analysis and committed reflection, but he further suggests new paths and directions which may once more make Europe more attractive – not only for Europeans themselves but also for the world.

Furthermore, his work is also a clear and innovative appeal and plea: a new future for Europe is only possible if it becomes “human-centric”.

When all attention seems to go to organisational, rule-setting and institutional issues – regardless of their importance and necessity – it seems paradoxical to put the main emphasis on a human-centric perspective. But the real capital for cohesive and sustainable society building, not only for Europe, is the “human capital”.

This magnum opus is undoubtedly an important guideline to identifying and straightening out the existing deficits of Europe’s future, which the rest of the world is also confronted with. I call these the

“Triple D-deficit” (delivery, democracy, and destiny).

A “human-centric” approach to the interaction between globalisation and Europeanisation can offer new content support to a participative, deliberative and inclusive democracy, at the global and European level,

Preface

through a collaborative process driven by committed people and communities.

I am convinced that the “explorations” and proposals of Prof. Dr.

Léonce Bekemans will find their way to many – academics and students, and people responsible for politics as well as a host of interested actors; in short, to all who believe in Europe as a project for the future.

Introduction

Rationale

The ongoing and radical process of the transformation of European societies needs a proper contextualisation within a globalising, europeanising, regionalising and localising context. Questions about identity, citizenship, governance, borders, dialogue and human security are in need of proper answers. The EU’s role in the world is rooted in its very existence, as an emerging form of multi-lateral governance of national and local diversities towards increasing regional convergence at the European level. What matters is the consolidation of a complex set of common institutions and a mixed intergovernmental/supranational regime among its Member States, sharing several common interests, objectives, values and policies. The European integration process is to date the world’s most advanced post-national constellation of states. As such, it has become a laboratory for scholars and philosophers of political theory and international relations and those interested in studying and developing workable models of supranational and/or global and multi-level governance.

Europe is at the crossroads of its historical destiny, rooted in its past, present and future developments and is at a turning point with regards to its integration process. Its historical development shows a dynamic and evolving entity with many faces, multiple identities and diversified cooperation forms. The challenges are manifold both inside and outside of Europe. We are confronted with a number of (internal and external) challenges to the European model of socio-economic cohesion and cultural and regional diversity.

Still, Europe has a mission and a responsibility to the globalising world. It requires an inspiring narrative that responds to institutional governance structures, financing internal and external European solidarity and a vision that motivates the participation of its citizens.

Today Europe has an appointment with its destiny. Its model of society, based on a fundamental set of human rights, culture as a vehicle of emancipation, on sustainable development and socio-economic cohesion, and on a multilateral vision of the world order, has been put under stress and pressure. In other words, we are experiencing a confrontation between Europe’s actual confusing (political, economic, cultural and institutional) reality and its global responsibility, in the context of an ever-increasing globalisation.

Foundation: In the fast changing global landscape, Europe is confronted with the preoccupation, but also with the moral responsibility, to maintain its own model of integration and diversity within a resolutely changing world system. This consists of the values, methods and capacity to deal with change processes, global commons and the integration of people in respect of their diversity. It implies that Europe should defend its values and principles of solidarity, tolerance and democracy in the limited but open dialogue between cultures and peoples within and outside Europe. It certainly requires in today’s world a change in mentality, a broad imagination and proactive thought and action from the outset. Finally, Europe’s future is to be founded on (political, economic, business and spiritual) leadership rooted in an education that focuses on learning responsibility at different levels of space and time.

Questions have to be asked about whether Europe, within a further unifying European economic space, can guarantee an acceptable common institutional basis in which states, regions and communities can live in their diversity (guarantee of internal solidarity) and whether Europe can offer an open societal model within the process of further globalisation (guarantee of external solidarity).

Challenge: The challenge for further European integration (and Europe’s survival) is the search for a new equilibrium between diversity and unity in a globalising world (universalism vs particularism). The European model should take into account the economic, historic, social and political changes that are taking place at the international level, but it must remain faithful to its principles of internal and external solidarity. “Repenser l’Europe” implies the recognition of a radical increase in the level of complexity within our societies, the further development of a multiple citizenship within multiple identities and the elaboration of multi-level governance.

Vision: We once more need an inspiring and mobilising vision, which can raise a renewed spirit and enthusiasm within the citizen.

Furthermore, we must dare to recall the enthusiasm and faith in the European project that was embodied by the Founding Fathers of Europe.

They wanted to guarantee a sustainable peace within the European borders and had a long-term vision as well as the pragmatic conviction to write a new chapter in the relations between European peoples and countries. Economic arguments supported the political goodwill.

Therefore, Europe needs bridge-builders who can concretely complete the rhetoric of the European story, promote the European ideals of peace, unity in diversity, freedom and solidarity and mobilise young people towards the European model of society. The role of education is herein fundamental. In this model, new forms and places of dialogue,

Introduction

active citizenship and of cooperation, emerge outside of the existing institutionalised structures of representative representation. The European civil society becomes emancipated and develops opportunities in the globalising society through which persons, peoples and cultures within and outside Europe can meet peacefully and respectfully.

Historical lessons: The history of the European integration process shows that in the course of three generations, the EU developed, with both successes and failures, to a community of now 28 countries, all former enemies, with different histories and diverse expectations. Now a unique union of more than 500 million citizens exists, stretching out from the Irish Sea to the gates of Russia; this geographical area constitutes the first transnational political space, based on a community of shared values, which are both multiculturally and multilinguistically defined. It was a success story, but it is now confronted with internal and external tensions and is experiencing a deep sense of crisis.

Different from the traditional forms of politics, mainly geared to market and power the extension and appropriation of human, natural and territorial resources, the EU was conceived and developed out of the realisation of a consensus around collective interests, the extension of reciprocity to all its citizens and the realisation of a durable peace founded on mutual respect between peoples. Despite all the current and dramatic changes, Europe remains a civilisation project, characterised by a rich intellectual (material and immaterial) cultural heritage and common values. Up to now, this has guaranteed a good quality of life, sustainable development, a respect for human rights and internal and external solidarity; in short it has provided economic welfare and built bridges of peace and understanding.

Future fundamentals: Dreams express expectations of people, not their conditions. Still the rhetoric needs to be translated into a workable forward-looking reality, amidst a radically changing world. In spite of its failures and imperfections in the integration process, project

“Europe” has been a permanent workplace for “active dreamers” to define the European common good and to develop a unique institutional and operational framework. I distinguish four fundamental tasks:

Firstly, Europe has the moral responsibility to establish best practices of cooperation, both internally and externally. The individual and collective well-being depends more and more on the comprehension of man’s capacity to recognise important emerging global trends and act accordingly in the pursuit of economic and social welfare for its citizens.

We are in need of a radical change in our vision and methods in order to survive as a European civilisation.

Secondly, Europeans also have the moral responsibility to show that people can live together in the world, despite any differences in

language, culture, religion, origin, etc. Europe’s motto is “unity in diversity”, but in practice, Europeans still need to show that they can form an international public space where a cultural diaspora can exist in mutual respect, tolerance and dialogue. European citizens need to be inspired by clear messages, examples and testimonies.

Thirdly, all European countries and regions have to work continuously to make their social and economic systems individually more efficient, so that the weaknesses of one can be compensated by the strength of others. This implies the importance of encouraging individual initiative, of aiming for a broad and just distribution of the benefits of economic welfare and of revalorising senses of responsibility as part of a value driven education with a European dimension.

Finally, Europeans should play a more courageous and dynamic role on the international political scene, by defending Europe’s model of peace and transnational cooperation and strengthening its method of collaboration with other macro regions. Europe should work for a transition from the traditional management of geopolitical and global economic conflicts to a new transversal policy of the global political and economic landscape.

Objective of the Book: Globalisation is one of the most important phenomena and processes confronting the world today. Globalisation affects every aspect of society, including economics, politics and culture as well as personal developments. This book offers a general introduction and critical overview (i.e. concepts, definitions, approaches, historical developments and assessment) of the future of the EU in a globalising context. It looks at the phenomena from a multitude of perspectives – as it is studied in different disciplines and perceived by different regions across the world. Globalisation is viewed in all of its dimensions, including economic globalisation, political globalisation, and the globalisation of civil society, global knowledge and global environment.

A mobilising, forward-looking and human-centric European perspective could favour the transition to a global transnational era.

Courage and inspiration are needed to make a renewed European dream worthy of envisaging, rediscover the purpose of the European construction and to give life to a voice of the European civilisation

Im Dokument Courage and inspiration are needed to renew the European dream and (Seite 23-35)