European View (2007) 6:6570 DOI 10.

1007/s12290-007-0002-x ARTICLE

Culture, intercultural dialogue and the role of religion

n Figel Ja

Published online: 12 January 2008 Centre for European Studies 2007

Abstract Europe cannot be built by bricks and mortar alone. A strong cultural sector is vital to the completion of the grand project the European Union was meant to be. The European Year of Intercultural Dialogue is an opportunity to achieve these goals. This article explores the ways in which a broadly based cultural perspective can strengthen European cooperation. Keywords Culture European Union Intercultural dialogue Religion European Commission Cultural diversity

Introduction Our united Europe is much more than just an internal market and a new form of association between sovereign countries, unique in its geopolitical implications. The EU is a community of cultures and values built on the principle of respect for cultural diversity. It is only by making this respect the guiding principle of Europe that we will forge among the peoples of Europe a true sense of belonging to a common space. Europes diversity is expressed in many forms: peoples, languages, cultures and the different strands of our historical heritage that are intertwined like the warp and weft of a tapestry we have been weaving together for many centuries. This common heritage is not conned to the past; in fact, it is the force that will drive us into the future and will equip us to meet the challenges of our timeglobalisation and sustainable development chief among them. Building a united Europe has always been a cultural project from the very beginning. The attempt to bring together the institutions and the peoples of the continent with their different ways of life, value systems, habits and traditions is clearly a cultural endeavour. In this 50th anniversary year, looking back at our half century together, we can see that the European Union has been continually extending its policy areas from an original agenda focused on tangible domains. Fifty years ago, the European Community was created
J. Figel (&) European Commission in charge of Education, training, culture and youth, Berl 10/38; Rue de la Loi 200, 1049 Brussels, Belgium

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around coal and steel. Community action then came to be dominated by agriculture, the internal market and the long march towards a shared currency. Today the most promising areas of development are intangible and decidedly cultural: education, intercultural dialogue and citizenship. This shift is perhaps a natural development in an era in which creativity, knowledge and innovation have become extremely crucial for economic success and social well-being. The advent of the knowledge society and a context of globalisation have put new questions at the top of the political agenda. Knowledge, creativity and innovation have brought a new understanding of what culture and cultural diversity can do for Europe and what Europe might do for culture.

A strategy for culture This brief history is the background to major proposals for a European agenda for culture in a globalising world, contained in a policy document recently approved by the Commission. The document states unequivocally that culture is central to the European project and is a vital part of the Commissions vision for the future. The proposals included in the Communication articulate for the rst time a comprehensive strategy for culture in the EU. The document is not limited to opportunities for the cultural sector within the borders of the European Union; it also addresses the many ways in which culture can support and enrich the European project. We propose a shared agenda to shape cultural policies in the EU, structured around three main objectives. The rst objective is to promote cultural diversity and intercultural dialogueI will expand on this below. Our second objective is to promote culture as a catalyst for creativity as part of the overall EU strategy for jobs and growth. This part of our policy document is an attempt to both recognise the economic weight of the cultural sector and to leverage Europes creative potential as a driver of innovation, growth and competitiveness. Our third proposed objective is to better take culture into account in the Unions international relations. The European Union is constantly looking outward to the rest of the world, developing strong ties with our neighbours in the region and other partner countries across the world. Culture must take on an even stronger role in this political dialogue; it should be an integral part of our programmes, actions and exchanges.

Protection and promotion of cultural diversity In the wake of the involvement of the EU in the establishment and, now, implementation of the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, the Commissions new strategy for culture reafrms a changing international agenda in which culture has become a major issue for a global order based on peace, mutual understanding and respect for shared values. It is essential that all cultural expressionsno matter how tiny and peripheral in the global contextnd appropriate conditions for their preservation, their development and their diffusion. Conversely, all the citizens of Europe and of the world are entitled to have access to forms of expression that originate from their respective cultures as well as from other cultures. A more balanced circulation of all forms and artefacts of cultural expression throughout the world is a precondition to the process of identication that links the individuals to their communities, heritage and cultures. It is also a precondition for fostering mutual knowledge and understanding among cultures.

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By moving from the individual to the social, fostering the production and circulation of forms of expression ensures the preservation and growth of collective ways of life, including languages, customs, traditions, values and beliefs. On the social plane, this is a precondition to the preservation of cultural diversity. One important clarication is in order: the policies I have in mind have nothing to do with barrier-raising protectionism. On the contrary, I believe that a strong and critical sense of identication with ones own community and a thriving cultural life are necessary to establish a genuine dialogue with the other. This is one of the lessons learned from developments in cultural studies in the past few decades. It has been observed that populations and cultures which, for historical or other reasons, are impeded in their natural development by external hegemonic forces fall into a subaltern position that affects the manner and degree of their openness to the outside world. To put it in simple terms: if you want to look your interlocutors straight in the eye, you need to know where you yourself are standing.

The means and the ends These recent policy developments in the domain of culture are a logical consequence of a strategic policy stance adopted by the Barroso Commission since the beginning of its term of ofce. It is fair to say that towards the end of 2004 a critical consensus was reached around the notion that European integration needed a new intellectual climate. But even before 2004, many voices had already demanded that European discourseand, I would add, the policies of the Unionshould be extended to the domain of culture. Why, after so many years, are we only now beginning to see that our historic endeavour would be incomplete if it did not include the intangible domain of culture? I have mentioned one reason above: the lopsidedness of our process of integration during the rst 50 years. Too much of the discourse has revolved around integrating markets and too little around dealing with the traditions, values and aspirations of our peoples. As a result, European institutions have been increasingly regarded as impersonal regulatory bodies that deal with the nitty-gritty of the res publica. It is true that this is what European institutions do much of the time, but we should never lose sight of the ultimate goals. EU regulations, directives and decisions draw their legitimacy from the treaties, but their validity in the hearts of Europeans derives from a shared sense of belonging and a desire to build our future together. And these thingsas everyone can seeare clearly cultural. Jacques Delors is reported to have said, You cant fall in love with the single market. I agree, but you can fall in love with what it is intended to achieve in terms of a better quality of life for all citizens and a new sense of belonging to a political body that is genuinely European in scope. So, the challenge is to articulate the debate, adopting the correct teleological perspective with culture as the main frame of reference.

The role of artists and cultural producers There is another sense in which culture is essential for the building of Europe, a sense in which the term culture is interpretedas I did earlieras the domain where forms of public expression are produced, disseminated and interpreted. This is the space where artists and performers operate; where the incredibly rich heritage of Europes past exists; and where modern forms of popular culture circulatesuch as those created for the radio,

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TV and the electronic media. Taken together, these are the signs that both constitute and represent our myths and value systems. A novel, an ancient building and a TV series shape in their very different ways our dreams and beliefs; they structure our personal and collective identities and as such are part of the material with which our communities are built. In this sense, there is a great deal that intellectuals, artists and producers of culture in general can do to help us build our future together in a united Europe. Of course, this is not a call for pied pipers of the European revolutionGod forbid! Gone are the days when artists livelihood depended on the patronage of kings and governments. In fact, I do not even believe that the main social function of artists, intellectuals and entertainers is to disseminate ideaseither their own or those of someone elsein order to create a consensus around these ideas. The real contribution that culture, including popular culture, and the arts can bring to public life lies in their capacity to bring fresh images and new ideas into the world, which communities can freely adopt as their own and use in their drive towards civic and intellectual development.

The European year of intercultural dialogue I wrote earlier that I would expand on the topic of intercultural dialogue and specically on the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue planned for 2008; I will keep my promise in the present section. I launched the idea as soon as I was appointed Commissioner for Education and Culture, and thanks to the support of the other European institutions, the initiative is now ready to begin. Over the past few years, Europe has seen major changes resulting from successive enlargements of the Union, greater mobility within its borders and increased exchanges with the rest of the world. This has resulted in more frequent and more signicant interactions between the different cultures, languages, ethnic groups and religions on the continent and elsewhere. Dialogue between cultures would therefore appear to be an essential tool in forging closer links both among Europeans and with peoples beyond our borders. This is part of the rationale for the European Year; its overall aims include putting intercultural dialogue on the table and raising awareness among citizens, particularly young people. Ultimately, the Year intends to help European citizens, and everyone living in the Union, deal with a more open and diverse environment. Operationally, the Year will involve close cooperation between EU countries, which will have an opportunity to focus their efforts on activities and communication campaigns aimed at raising awareness. A budget of 10 million will be available to fund three main types of activity: (i) an information campaign promoting the objectives of the Year; (ii) grants for a limited number of emblematic actions on a Community scale intended to raise awareness, especially among young people; and (iii) the co-nancing of national activities with a strong European component.

The role of churches and religions What is the role of churches and religions in the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue? A series of informal contacts with representatives of churches and communities of belief and conviction are taking place as part of the preparation of the Year to explore forms of co-operation. Some of these conversations have focused on identifying deliverables both in the area of the public expression of common endeavours and of more tangible

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commitments of individual partners to promote intercultural dialogue within religious communities and secular associations. During these meetings, churches and communities of belief have shown a strong interest in the European Year and agreed to foster intercultural dialogue within their own communities. They have also shown keen interest in cooperating with the Commission and with each other and agreed that youth organisations and their respective networks constitute the best platforms for common work across the different communities. Indeed, the European Commission will promote a youth event in 2008 devoted to the dialogue between communities of faith. I believe there are two essential ingredients for turning the Year into a resounding success: bringing the debate on the cultures of Europe and the world to where people live their everyday livesthe workplace, schools and centres of leisureand fostering a culture of dialogue based on mutual knowledge and respect. As for the latter, opening up ones views to the scrutiny of others is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of maturity. The EU has always been committed to creating the best possible conditions for the emergence of a culture of dialogue and tolerance. The EU is respectful of all religious communities in their own right and for the important role they play in our societies. In particular, since the 1980s, successive Presidents of the European Commission have maintained a dialogue on European integration with churches and communities of conviction. This dialogue has two goals: improving the knowledge within religions and other communities of faith and conviction of the signicance of European integration; and allowing EU institutions to benet from the insight that religious and other communities can shed on political and social trends.

Some considerations In the above sections I have outlined what the European Commission intends to achieve during the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue and explained the role religion will play in this context. In the present section I would like to elaborate a bit further on the latter point. The EU recognises that we live in a diverse and pluralistic society. As I will never tire of repeating, the EU is founded on the utmost respect for this pluralism, which applies to political and social as well as religious views. Traditionally, the action of the EU as an institution presupposes a degree of separation between public authorities and religious organisations. This is a useful and sound principle, because separation protects individuals and communities who wish to follow and practise their beliefs as they see t against undue interference from governments and other public authorities. At the same time, keeping church and state in their respective domains guarantees our democracies will not be subject to undue interference from religious leaders. However, it would be a mistake to turn this legal principle into a policy that ignores religious beliefs altogether and excludes the contribution of people of faith to the public debate. It would also be unrealistic, because there is no practical way to force people to leave their moral and religious views at the door as a condition for them to enter the public arena. I am convinced that the vast majority of our fellow Europeans do not experience religion as a discourse of exclusion, division and confrontation. The vast majority of European believers profess universalistic faiths that embrace the whole of humankind. I am convinced that inclusion should be the watchword of any policy of intercultural dialogue, and that it should embrace all facets of our multilayered identities, including our faith and beliefs.

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I am also convinced that there is no trade-off between the different religious beliefs and the political and civic values that buttress our societies. In fact, as I have already said above, the EU recognises the important role religious communities play in our societies. Many religious organisations are active in social and cultural areas and are a positive force for the afrmation of progressive civic and moral values in our societies. They are active at the grassroots level and indeed often develop creative European projects supported by Community programmes in the elds of education, youth or citizenship. Finally, there are good strategic reasons why public authorities should not leave the space empty in the public arena traditionally occupied by religion. Social and political discourse, like nature, abhors a vacuum. The space would not remain empty for long, it would probably be lled by other groups with more restricted and possibly sectarian views of the relation between church and state. These are some of the reasons why I feel that it is our duty as political leaders to foster a constructive and open debate that recognises the proper role of communities of faith and conviction in European affairs. I would be very happy if the Year of Intercultural Dialogue, among other things, allowed both the secular and religious to understand what they have in common and where their differences lie. In other words, I would be happy for the Year to afrm the principle of dialogue, as it should be understood in our modern, pluralistic societies. Democratic debate demands that all participants make an effort to articulate their concerns, their wishes and their proposals in reasonable forms that are accessible to all. Communities of faith and conviction should seek to create a consensus around their proposals using universal arguments, not arguments that are regarded as valid only within their communities. And this includes reaching out towards other communities of faithinterreligious dialogue properand towards non-believers as well, which is perhaps the crucial point of the exercise.

Conclusion I would like to close these reections in the way I started: with a look at the past. Over 50 years ago, our founders dreamed of a united Europe as a means to prevent the tragedy of war from ever ravaging our continent again. A moral imperative buttressed their political vision; their religious and humanistic background was the driving force for what was to become the European Union. This year we remember the great personalities who made Europe happen: Adenauer, Schuman, Monnet, Spinelli and many others. Why do we still remember and honour their names? Because their vision, work and determination are still an inspiration to us. Todays political, intellectual and religious leaders should follow their example. They can still teach us that leadership is not about chasing the latest opinion polls. Leadership is about working for the common good; it is about serving present and future generations. Whatever our calling, we need to draw on our intelligence, experience and imagination to offer hope and inspiration, to show solidarity and determination. We need to foster awareness and a desire for participation in all our citizens to build a Europe of peace, tolerance, dialogue and hope.

n Figel is the European Commissioner responsible for Education, Training, Culture and Youth. Ja

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