A proposal for a EU-wide shared heritage promotion programme

Nowadays it is undeniable that European Integration is one of the most important and consequential historical processes facing the Old Continent. Throughout the last several decades, it has gradually become an all-encompassing factor shaping our reality on multiple layers – from the protection of the fundamental freedoms and rights, through harmonisation of laws and fostering of higher life standards, to a lasting guarantee of peace within the community of Member States. For us, it is difficult to imagine Europe without any form of supernational integration in the 21st Century.

But all these benefits of a Continent working together should not be taken for granted, as everyone acquainted with European history is well aware. Until the 1950s, even in periods of relative economic and political stability and prosperity, no lasting form of European Integration comparable to the contemporary European Union has ever emerged. Conflicts of interest and political rivalry between states often outweighed their will to cooperate, which multiple times had lead to adverse results. Only after the tragedies of the Second World War – arguably the biggest tragedy in European history – the nations managed to successfully come together to form the European Community, which later became the European Union as we know it today.

It does not mean, however, that the idea of European unification does not have its predecessors worthy of remembrance – from the Greeks and Romans of antiquity, through the medieval ideas of Charlemagne and Otto III, all the way to the Pan-European Union of Richard Coudenhove-Kalergi, many people in history have had their different visions and sought to bring about their realisation. Many of them were well aware of the potential benefits of some form of integration, which was visible in spite of the existence of many obvious differences between the realities of their and our epochs.

Nowadays, new generations of Europeans are born, who know no world without the European Union. For them, the existence of a certain degree of political and social unity among the Member States is an obvious fact of life. Since their childhoods, they were able to make good use of opportunities made possible by the EU (especially in the field of education), which helped them gain unique knowledge and understanding of the nations of Europe. On the other hand, they might be inclined to take the achievements of European Integration for granted, and because of that – not appreciate them properly and not realise their significance.

On the other hand, many representatives of the generations who have fought (politically, intellectually, but also in the literal sense) to bring the modern form of European Integration into existence, having experienced this unique and revolutionary moment in the history of our Continent, are – and will be – slowly passing away, which will sadly deprive us of their knowledge and experience.

Therefore, it is extremely important to find ways of preserving and promoting the knowledge about the history of European Integration, its diverse roots and ideological and philosophical origins (as well as their very practical dimensions), and well as to kindle a deep and thoughtful debate within the contemporary society (with emphasis on the younger generations) about the future of the idea of European Integrations.

Precisely for this purpose, we believe it might be of value to undertake a EU-wide programme aiming at the promotion of information about the shared European heritage and identity, especially among the younger generations.

We would like it to be a platform for the promotion of knowledge and awareness about the history of European Integration (and its diverse roots), and an understanding of the challenges and risks which the project of European Integration now faces and might face in the future.

intend our project to be predicated on the ideas of intergenerational dialogue, a reciprocal exchange of ideas and inclusion of all the diverse groups which contribute to the fabric of our modern and pluralistic European society, having in mind the sensitivity for their particular situations. It is especially important not to exclude the voices of the most vulnerable groups, i. a. the people affected by racism, sexism, xenophobia and other forms of prejudice in their everyday lives.

We would also like to build on the achievements of the Conference on the Future of Europe concluded last year which – as we believe – provided a useful platform for the debate on the responsible development of the European Project, and was generally a step in the right direction.

The above mentioned goals would be achieved by undertaking a comprehensive and multifaceted initiative, which would encompass, among others, the following elements:

1) Organisation of Two Conferences on European Remembrance:

In order to provide a platform for an open (but responsible) dialogue on the values guiding European Integration (both in the past and in the future), we intend to organise two conferences which would bring together experts and representative voices from all the Member States of the EU (and possibly also from other countries who have their stakes in the European Project) and constitute a “core” element of the proposed project, around which the other activities of our project will be centred.

• International Conference on the Legacy of Europe

The first conference will focus on the promotion of knowledge about the history of European Integration. However, contrary to many different initiatives on this subject, we intend to also highlight the often overlooked and less well known aspects of the history of European Integration, predating the 20th Century post-war developments which brought about the EU in its current shape (although they will also be included).

We acknowledge that the idea of European Integration is one with very long (although diverse and not always reconcilable) traditions – these include among others:

– the legacy of ancient Greek poleis and the Roman Republic, which helped develop and spread a common European culture (although very different than the contemporary one) alongside the coasts of the Mediterranean Sea; 

– the medieval ideas of the Emperors Charlemagne and Otto III, who had their visions of uniting the continent under their rule and introducing joint institutions of governance;

– the diverse and liberal philosophical thought of the Enlightenment, among others including the contribution of Immanuel Kant and his idea of a pluralistic and peaceful, democratic order as outlined in his famous work “Perpetual Peace: A Philosophical Sketch” and the later attempts to bring about a more liberal European order, such as the “Springtime of Nations” of 1848, as well as the thought of Victor Hugo, who at the Paris Peace Congress of 1849 proclaimed the visionary idea of “The United States of Europe”, which thanks to the efforts of the generations which came after him turned out to be prophetic;

– the contribution of the Congress of Vienna, which sought to usher in a new age of European Cooperation and Balance of Power after the destructive and tumultuous times of the Napoleonic wars;

– the thought of Richard Coudenhove-Kalergi and his vision of the Pan-European Union, although ultimately unrealised, but constituting a very ambitious attempt at bringing to life a federalist Europe which would ensure the amicable resolution of conflicts and fostering of a democratic order.

During the Conference, the above subjects (and many others) will be presented and discussed by experts in order to open a debate about their relevance in contemporary times, and about the lessons which we can learn from analysing their successes and failures.

• International Conference on the Future of Europe and Directions of Integration

The Second conference will focus on the present and the future of European Integration. After having thoroughly analysed the past, we will turn our attention towards the challenges which the EU faces today – including, but not limited to:

– the economy – challenges facing the common market and the currency union (the “Euro-zone”), competitiveness of the European economy in the world, the necessity of its adaptation to the realities of climate change;

– demographics – challenges for the stability of our social and economic reality posed by shrinking reproduction rates among the populations of European Member States and the strategies for mitigating the adverse effects of this situation, in particular by responsible approach to incentivising migration from outside the EU and integration of migrants into the European society; 

– the threat of populist movements striving to undermine the achievements of European Integration;

– culture and society – the intricacies of the task of preserving and protecting the joint heritage of Europe, including its political and cultural dimension, while ensuring inclusion and representation of unprivileged groups in both culture and the decision making process.

2) Organisation of the European Integration Academy

In parallel to the conferences, we will create a continuously operating body (which would remain active for the duration of the project) called “the European Integration Academy” (EIA). It will be a platform for debate and formation, also including events aiming at including the participation of younger generations. It will aim at fostering a stronger sense of a common European identity, enabling greater understanding and participation in European integration, and developing a new generation of leaders committed to the future of Europe.

The EIA would offer a range of programs targeting different audiences. These could include lectures, seminars, workshops, panel discussions, debates, and other interactive activities. The topics would encompass historical, economic, political, social, cultural aspects of European integration, current challenges and opportunities, and future scenarios. It would also partner with think tanks, NGOs and other educational and research institutions across Europe, as well as with private sector entities for the purpose of carrying out joint projects focusing on the activisation of the youth.

In order to appeal to its target audience (persons under 26 years of age, with an emphasis on students), the EIA will have a strong online presence, offering live-streamed events, recorded sessions, interactive learning modules, and discussion forums (additional panels focusing on both historical and contemporary aspects of European Integration which will include debates and conversations between experts pertaining to divergent visions of European cooperation). This would make the academy accessible to a wider audience and extend its reach beyond physical events. A significant emphasis would be placed on recording, archiving, and making available the outputs of its activities. This could include written reports, video recordings, policy recommendations, etc.

3) Publication of Research Papers on European Integration:

As part of the project which we propose, we will also aim to promote scholarly research and intellectual discourse on European integration by publishing a series of research papers. These papers will delve into various aspects of European integration, exploring its historical, political, economic, social, and cultural dimensions.

The research papers will be written by experts in the field, including academics, researchers, and policymakers, who possess in-depth knowledge and understanding of European integration, and with whom we are currently in contact. They will analyse and present their findings on key topics and challenges related to the European Union and its development.

The publication of research papers will serve multiple purposes. Firstly, it will contribute to the preservation and dissemination of knowledge about European integration, ensuring that valuable insights are documented and made accessible to a wider audience. By addressing both the historical foundations and contemporary issues, the papers will provide a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter.

Secondly, the research papers will foster a scholarly debate and exchange of ideas. By presenting different perspectives, methodologies, and conclusions, they will encourage critical thinking and intellectual engagement with the topic of European integration. The papers will offer an opportunity for scholars and experts to share their research findings and engage in constructive discussions.

We believe that the results of thus conducted research will be a valuable resource for policymakers, analysts, and individuals interested in European integration. They will provide evidence-based insights and recommendations that can inform decision-making processes at various levels, from national governments to European institutions. The papers may offer policy suggestions, propose strategies for addressing current challenges, and highlight areas for further research and development.

To ensure the widest possible dissemination of the research papers, we will adopt a multi-channel approach. They will be published in a dedicated online journal or platform, freely accessible to the public. Additionally, we will collaborate with academic publishers and libraries to make the papers available in printed format. This way, we aim to reach both digital-native audiences and those who prefer traditional printed materials. The research papers will be promoted through various channels, including academic conferences, seminars, and workshops related to European integration. We will also engage with relevant research networks and organizations, encouraging them to share the papers within their communities. This will enhance the visibility and impact of the research, fostering wider engagement and facilitating knowledge exchange among scholars and practitioners.

The publication of research papers will be an integral part of our project, complementing and building on both of the abovementioned Conferences and the European Integration Academy. By capturing the expertise and insights of scholars, these papers will contribute to the body of knowledge on European integration, stimulate intellectual discourse, and provide valuable resources for policymakers and the broader public.

The papers will approach the issues at question from many perspectives – we will welcome the cooperation of experts in many fields, ranging from law and politics to economy, sociology, culture, management and others – we believe that any plausible vision of European Integration cannot focus only on ideology – but in order to be successful it has to take into consideration many different factors – that is why we intend the project to be a very interdisciplinary endeavour.

4) Mentoring Programme:

Another important part of the project would be the establishment of a mentoring programme that would allow older people to pass on their knowledge and experience of the process of European integration. This programme could include both formal and informal teaching methods, such as seminars, lectures, but also talks and meetings in smaller groups.

A mentoring programme that allows older people to pass on their knowledge and experiences of the European integration process could include the following elements:

Selection of mentors: As a first step, a group of mentors would be selected . Ideally, the mentors should be people who have had an active role in the European integration process – they could be former politicians, diplomats, academics, journalists, NGO workers, etc. – who have both theoretical knowledge of the subject and practical experience.

Training for mentors: Although the mentors will already have a lot of knowledge and experience, it is important to provide training to enable them to understand their role and to acquire the necessary skills to be an effective mentor, such as communication, empathy, patience or listening skills.

Selection of mentee(s): At the other end of the spectrum are young people who would like to learn more about European integration. It is important to match mentors well with mentees, taking into account their interests, goals and needs. The mentees would be selected from the youth participants of the European Integration Academy or/and the participants of the International Conferences (described above).

Mentoring meetings: mentoring meetings can take many forms, from formal meetings and workshops to informal coffee chats. Depending on the preferences of the mentor and mentee, meetings can take place in person or online.

Support and evaluation: both mentors and mentee should have access to support and tools to help them through the mentoring process. This may include regular meetings with the programme coordinator, access to learning materials, and the opportunity to evaluate the progress and outcomes of the programme.

Such a mentoring programme would not only allow elders to pass on their knowledge and experiences, but will also provide a platform for dialogue and understanding between generations.

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