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.