Debates on European Identity (2013-14)
The Debates on European Identity were an initiative of Thorbjørn Jagland, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, in response to the difficult and challenging times facing European societies today. Building on the format of the previous Democracy debates, and enlarging the thematic scope, they contributed to discussing the current state of thinking and dynamics behind the concept of European Identity. They were intended to serve as a catalyst of ideas and concepts for the future of Europe, thereby contributing to building constructive European identities.
Co-organised by the Council of Europe and the Ecole Nationale d'Administration (ENA), the debates on European identity featured eminent personalities from politics, civil society and academic world. Each time, speakers addressed a different way the complexity of issues related to European identity.
Tenth debate
Adam D. ROTFELD, former Foreign Minister of Poland, on 'European Values and Search for Identities'
In his presentation, Adam D. Rotfeld argued that history and common memory are understandable and natural requirements for search of national identities. Problems appear when history is treated selectively and national memory is decreed by politicians and the institutions they establish. He...
Ninth debate
Ana PALACIO, former Foreign Minister of Spain, on 'The core EU challenge: democratic deficit or trust deficit?'
In her introduction speech, Ana Palacio discussed her two-fold vision of the European identity outlining its external and internal dimensions. As seen from the outside, there is a European brand, synonymous with the European Union and reflecting a strong symbolism of values including human...
Eighth debate
Tzvetan TODOROV, French essayist, philosopher and historian, on 'In search of Europe'
In his Introduction speech, Tzvetan Todorov exposed his vision of European identity. According to him, the growing unhappiness with the European Union (EU) amongst the population should be understood as a response to politicians’ lack of vision for the European project. Interminable debates on...
Seventh debate
Robert SALAIS, French economist, on 'European identity: The past waiting for a future'
What is preventing Europe from becoming a more human and political community? How can we make Europe more open and democratic at all levels? In his introduction speech, Robert Salais referred to two opposing visions for Europe, one, strategic, based on finding common interests between European...
Sixth debate
Daniel COHN-BENDIT, Publicist and politician, the Greens, MEP, on 'Quo Vadis Europa?'
What are the limits of European integration and what responsibilities would national states have in a transnational Europe? Could European identity one day substitute national patriotism? In his introduction speech, 'Quo Vadis Europa?' Daniel Cohn-Bendit exposed his vision of European identity...
