Brussels, 10 January 2008

Mr Vice-Chairman, Mrs Hennicot-Schoepges,
Distinguished Members of Parliament,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Thank you for a very warm welcome. I want to express gratitude to the Group
and Members of the Parliament, specially to those of them connected to
Education and Culture Committee, for organising this not only hearing but I
think dialogue, which is important reflection and contribution to the theme.
As you said, Mrs Hennicot-Schoepges, “le sujet est délicat et difficile”.

Yes, it is something what tests maturity of our Community, it is something what
will gradually, more and more show whether we are able to deal only with
business and market or also with human relations as a Community of people,
Community of nations where everybody can feel and should feel like at home.
This is not an empty notion – to feel like at home.

I am very happy to see such interest (full auditorium) because the interest
is the first condition or precondition for real dialogue, for real engagement of
people for more intercultural Europe. In this house actually at other hearing (at
the fist, introductory hearing in 2004) I came with the idea to organise European
Year of Intercultural Dialogue. (Then I mentioned 2007 – but after some
adaptation we came in order for 2008). The idea got very strong support in the
Parliament and also in the Council and it reflects a kind of appetite, a kind of a
need for more intercultural communication, dialogue, relations, and respect in
Europe. It was time of biggest enlargement and I recall very clearly as one
coming from central Europe being chief-negotiator, how difficult the
enlargement process was for both sides. Many people thought enlargement was
a problem. I think enlargement was Europeanization of the Union (now it is
more European). Europe is not defined by market or business or by geography;
but much more by values and cultures. But to come to this awareness and
agreement that enlargement makes us more complete as a Community needs
some time and experiences. But now I think nobody questions that this was
important and it is positive reality, so let’s contribute to this awareness.
After launching event on Monday and Tuesday in Ljubljana with a lot of
attention and with a lot of support from cultural foundations, stakeholders,
associations (for example European Festivals’ Association) I would like to share
some views why we need more promotion of intercultural dialogue in three
basic lines:

• Why we need more intercultural dialogue?
• Why culture?
• Why dialogue?
  Firstly, we need more dialogue of cultures because, as I said, enlarged
  Union is more diverse. Diversity is growing in many visible dimensions: old the
  new Members states, big and small, majorities and minorities inside of
  countries, through the borders, many religious communities in the Union.
  Secondly, internal migration and immigration from outside is also part of
  growing diversity. Then, we all quote and discuss globalisation. Many people
  see globalisation as a threat. We should see globalisation as an opportunity, as
  an invitation for our engagement, not as a way towards clash of civilisations, but
  for more of civilisation, for dialogue between civilisations.
  Why culture? As you recall, our founding fathers started cooperation
  through material issues, in commodities like coal and steel but the vision and
  dream was about human community, community of people. It was important to
  start with material, economic agenda, but not to stop with free trade or internal
  market. Culture comes again more to the attention but it was always very central
  for Europe’s project. Reconciliation, relations between nations is something very
  close to intercultural relations. Culture is important and recognised more and
  more as a catalyst of creativity. Yehudi Menuhin said that diversity is born by
  creativity. To respect and recognise diversity means also to promote different
  talents, creativity and innovations.
  Religion, which you put on agenda very clearly, is very close and very
  central to cultural discussions because the faith, conviction is about human
  believes; it is about values and hierarchy of values in individual and in societal
  lives. Therefore it is very important to understand that intercultural dialogue is
  closely linked to inter-religious dialogue.
  
  We have recently made survey in support of the European Year of
  Intercultural Dialogue, which shows cultural values of people. There are many
  good signs and encouraging signals: ¾ of people interviewed during the survey
  believe that people of different backgrounds can enrich the cultural life of their
  countries. 4/5 is convinced about the benefits of intercultural dialogue. ⅔ of
  respondents within a week interacted with at least one person of different
  religious, ethnic or national background.
  What makes citizens of European Union is not only legal status, but also
  relation to values which unite us. This survey shows that our citizens put on the
  top of the list values such as peace, respect for nature and environment, social
  equality and solidarity, tolerance and openness to others and finally freedom of
  opinion. I think this is something very important to be aware of because even
  after 50 years people believe that peace is the fist among values to live together.
  Peace is strongly linked to freedom, respect of human rights, justice, and
  solidarity.
  In political terms these values help us understand what the European
  project is supposed to achieve and taken together they tell us what Europe
  means to the people. As you recall one of the founding fathers Jean Monnet said
  (it is written in his memoirs as the first sentence): “Nous ne coalisons pas des
  États, nous unissons des hommes” (“We don’t ally countries, we unite people”).
  To unite people is much more demanding and difficult than to make
  intergovernmental agreements or alliances, but it is also more important.
  Why dialogue? Because dialogue is a constitutive element of unity. In
  dialogue we have two or three or more people, but there is one dialogue. In
  dialogue we are listening, we are seeking for something common, so there is
  added value. 1+1 is more that two because it is not mathematics; it is about
  ethical relation and about human relation. I think that is very important to
  understand. Not set of monologues but openness and interest for other! It also
  helps us to understand who we are in dialogue. Paul Ricœur said: “La chemin le
  plus court de moi à moi, c’est l’autre”. To find our own deepest understanding
  goes through relations and dialogue with others.
  I am sure that in dialogue we are paving the way for understanding that
  we are all part of a bigger community: locally, regionally, nationally, Europe
  wide; but also globally, internationally − part of human family. It links us to the
  notion of mosaic: Every piece is different, but part of a bigger image. Europe –
  it is not as a melting pot; it is a mosaic. But we need more dialogue within this
  mosaic and around.
  The last I want to mention on dialogue: it is important factor for future
  because openness is something what defines a dialogue. Openness always starts
  
  with interest towards others and in dialogue with others. What is decisive for
  future of Europe is open-mindedness and open-heartedness. If we want to be
  successful in 21.century, internally and externally, we should be open. Dialogue
  must characterize Europe and the European Union. Actually, Europe was never
  a uniform cultural or religious place. History shows a lot of lessons. We always
  had to cope with each other, we had learned from each other, but there were also
  tragic periods of fighting with each other because of conflicting interests. Our
  diversity is part of the genetic makeup; it is characteristics of Europe, not
  problem of Europe. Diversity is here and I think that the second side of the same
  coin is unity. Diversity and unity is the best narrative for Europe in 21.century.
  When diversity is growing, we should also contribute to the cohesion and to
  unity, based on shared values.
  For the last 50 years on the road from 6 to 27 Member States we have
  been seeking the way how to build unity and how to respect diversity. I think
  this should be continued and even shared with the world around. I don’t know
  whether in this room we are aware that precisely 50 years ago, in 1958 when the
  fist economic Community started after Rome Treaties had been signed in 1957,
  the legislation number 1/1958 adopted was about official languages of the
  Union. Official languages represent linguistic diversity and respect. They are
  more than technical or administrative instruments; they are part of culture. Now
  we have 23 languages and three alphabets. Again, this is not a problem, this is
  Europe! So let’s learn them and let’s use them.
  In 2007, 50 years after, we need to build again more balanced approach
  which means not only economic evolution and not only material based co
  operation but also more cultural awareness and openness which means not only
  mind but also heart. Citizens with minds and hearts! Not just either one of the
  two or half of it.
  First time ever, last year, I think it was a great gift for the anniversary, we
  adopted Cultural Communication as political manifesto of the Commission
  which was very positively reflected by civil society and cultural stakeholders at
  the Lisbon Cultural Forum and by Ministers at November Council as well. We
  agreed on the common European Cultural Agenda. The first pillar of this agenda
  is cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue. This is the area of cooperation for
  the 27 countries and EU Institutions in future years.
  Secondly, last year we have launched and increased the status of the EU
  Agency for Fundamental Rights in Vienna. This means a lot for protection of
  diversity and fundamental rights in Europe. Last, not least, it is about new
  reform Treaty where these rights are strongly included and new articles
  important for relations or engagement of religions brought to the text.
  
  As Commissioner for Culture and Education I would like to add that what
  is very important in this respect is involvement of education towards
  intercultural competences, skills, knowledge and awareness. Education is
  important for employability. We need it also for social inclusion and citizenship.
  People, kids, and lifelong learners should be trained and taught about diversity,
  cultural legacy and heritage of Europe. We believe that access to education and
  quality of education is decisive for individuals and for our societies. We cannot
  afford to leave anyone behind. I would like to quote German Presidency motto:
  “Bildung verbindet” – Education unites – locally, regionally and on all levels
  of our cohabitation.
  What we want to do throughout this year? We want to do set of activities,
  especially creating conditions for engagement of different cultures in
  communicating together. Important is the shift from multicultural realities
  towards more active intercultural approach. Many times we read and listen to
  comments on multi-culti and related problems. What I think is needed is more
  inter-cultural, more active approach on all levels. We want to raise awareness
  about importance of developing active European citizenship open to the world
  which is respecting cultural diversity and based on common values, in particular
  among young people. Youth is our future; we have to be fully aware of it.
  Heritage, arts, and culture in general are key domains for intercultural
  dialogue, but other areas will be important as well, like I mentioned: education,
  training, migration, multilingualism, employment, media and religion.
  We will support seven flagship EU projects and also 27 national projects.
  Budget for the Year is 10 million euro. We invited 15 personalities to serve as
  goodwill ambassadors of Intercultural Dialogue Year. We want to mainstream
  this dialogue in other programmes as well, such as Culture 2007, Youth in
  action, and Europe for citizens and Lifelong learning. We can do much more if
  we keep on this agenda in many areas around culture.
  Last I want to focus on role of religions. Two years ago there was a
  survey made on social values of people. Eurobarometer shows that 52% of
  citizens of then EU-25 believe in God and additional 27% in a spiritual life and
  force. This is a very strong signal, which means religion is part of our daily
  lives. In the new Reform Treaty EU agrees that European inspiration is build on
  cultural, religious and humanist inheritance. It is very important to remember
  not only inspirational founding fathers but to keep religions involved in positive
  construction of our human community. Faith cannot be disconnected from
  European history; it founds a substantial part of our heritage and identity. People
  of faith have a lot to say about the future of Europe. They can help us to foster
  democracy, fight for our environment and heritage, and protect the dignity of
  human person – the first among values mentioned in our proposed Treaty text.
  
  Churches and religious communities can help us affirm our message of
  peace and reconciliation among peoples and cultures. They have a large role to
  play throughout 2008 European Year of Intercultural Dialogue. This is not new
  for us, for example, in the Parliament this is frequently debated, as well as in the
  Commission. Since 1980s successive Presidents of the Commission maintained
  dialogue with churches and communities of conviction on the topics connected
  to the European integration. Next one will be organised in May this year with
  the presence of three Institutions. As you know, we call for the “transparent,
  regular and open dialogue with churches and non-confessional organisations”
  in the new Reform Treaty. We need dialogue, not for dialogue, but for
  commitment towards more human dignity and human responsibility for future.
  To conclude, I would say European integration is not a fait accompli; it is
  a process, both in terms of enlargement and in terms of internal relations. There
  is also a growing role for Europe in the world. I am sure that if Europe develops
  greater maturity of cultural dialogue it will be the best long-term contribution for
  internal and external questions and challenges.
  I want to thank all who are coming here and also those who are not with
  us today for engaged, active and constructive approach in this dialogue and for
  their commitment.
• 
  Thank you very much.