A whole of diversities

“A prelude to the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue”(2008): that, declared JACQUES SANTER , former President of the European Commission, now President of the Robert Schuman Foundation, was the aim of the International Colloquium held in Luxembourg in recent days on “The European identity and the challenges of intercultural dialogue”, promoted by the Jacques Maritain International Institute in Rome, the Italian Institute of Culture and the Pierre Werner Institute in Luxembourg. “We need to reflect profoundly on the new character of Europe that is becoming, day after day, more multiethnic and multireligious”, continued Santer, who was interviewed on behalf of SIR Europe by Maria Lyra Traversa. At the Ecumenical Assembly in Sibiu, the President of the Commission Barroso said that the Christian Churches have a very important role to play in European integration. What’s their task in intercultural dialogue?“Shared values hold the European continent together as a sum of diversities. In this scenario, the Churches can play a fundamental role, by testifying with their own example to respect for diversity, and by promoting these shared values especially through the protection of human rights. A further point that needs to be underlined is the convergence towards which the Christian Churches are striving. In a Europe of 27 countries, the Orthodox Church is far more present than before, and the continent seems to be making a determined march towards ecumenism. Dialogue and cooperation between the Churches: that’s the best way to give a convincing witness to respect for diversity and human rights”. If intercultural dialogue is to be genuine, its interlocutors need to have well-defined identities. Does this precondition exist in Europe? How would you define the concept of European identity?“It’s a concept extremely difficult to grasp and define. I would recur to the definition of Paul Valéry, according to whom the European spirit is born from a threefold legacy: that of Rome and hence of Roman law; that of Athens and hence of philosophy and love for knowledge; and that of Jerusalem, and hence of Christianity. It is the triad of reason, law and morality that forms the foundation of European civilization; a principle that is based on shared values and thus transcends frontiers”.The European motto, contained in the Constitutional Treaty, is “united in diversity”. In short, the European identity is based on cultural and religious richness and also on shared values. What role has, or should have, Christianity in the definition of this identity?“Christianity’s contribution to the definition of the European identity is undeniable. Today it can help promote and consolidate the values enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights, a document that puts the emphasis, in particular, on the dignity of the human person and on solidarity, two pillars of Christianity”.When we speak of intercultural dialogue and integration in Europe, we mainly have in mind relations with the Islamic world. What are the other cultures with which we need to “speak” more?“Islam, with its millions of Muslims present in Europe, is now an integral part of the continent. So we need to consolidate dialogue with these communities. At the same time, however, we need to look to the new players that are emerging on the world scene, to other third countries with which Europe is forging closer relations, such as countries in Asia and India in particular. With their cultures too, and hence with Hinduism and Buddhism, Europe must establish an ongoing dialogue”.Various cultures co-exist in EU member states. As you see it, is there one country, or more than one, that could be regarded as an example of successful integration and of respect for cultural diversities?“It’s difficult to point to one in particular. All EU countries have to come to terms in different degrees with the problems of immigration and integration, and everywhere a good level of dialogue with these new communities is registered. Its point of departure is consciousness of and respect for diversities. Some countries have structured this dialogue in conventions, in others it is more informal. What is common to all however is the consciousness that this dialogue must invest all levels. While it’s true that the national dimension must bear ultimate responsibility for integration, all countries must collaborate in a twofold dimension: between each other with the exchange of good practices, and with the European Union itself. For the EU can facilitate dialogue between member states“.What are the main obstacles to the creation of a European cultural identity?“The main difficulty is undoubtedly psychological resistance, an underlying conservatism. Each must gain awareness of the need to share some values with our neighbours, and that these values may be different. All forms of extremism, both of the left and the right, must be overcome”.