“The future? In the hands of young people”

In her studies she retraces the process of European integration in search of the underlying reasons for this original “political invention”, along with new motivations to continue following this path. Victoria Martín de la Torre, Spanish journalist with a passion for history, works at the European Parliament in Brussels. She published the book “Europe, a Leap into the Unknown”, namely, “a journey into the past, to meet the founders of the EU”. Gianni Borsa interviewed her for Sir Europe. In your opinion, what are the basic values and the major objectives shared by European leaders on the aftermath of Word War II that led to the decision to create the first nucleus of the European Community? “Unquestionably, for them the fundamental value was peace; and with peace also justice and human progress for all European Countries. I think that above all they were humanists who had experienced two world wars and realized that nationalism had triggered hatred between European sister nations. They saw Europe as a united, exemplary civilization, which suffered the disease of aggressive nationalism. However, we should make a distinction…” Which distiction? “The one between philosophers who heralded European unity and those politicians that actually managed to start off the unification process. The former, that include Emmanuel Mounier or Denis de Rougemont, had proposed a new model of relations between peoples based on faith, justice, extended beyond military or economic power. Some had proposed the model of a European federation, later presented at The Hague Congress in 1948. But they wanted to go too far… Most countries rejected the idea of the transfer of sovereignty. The change of pace occurred in 1950 thanks to Robert Schuman and Jean Monnet, with practical measures for the common management – between France and Germany – of the mineral resources of coal and steel. It was a matter not only of renouncing revanchism and revenge, but also to bind together, forever, the destinies of the two countries, creating a de facto solidarity that would make war impossible in the future. Other countries – Italy, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg – immediately joined this project wanting to be part of the founding nucleus of the emerging European federation. The idea was to bring people together and to surmount the borders, which are artificial barriers”. 65 years after the Schuman Declaration, and considered the new historical context, is it possible to identify fundamental principles in the plans of the “founding fathers” that remain topical, to help face contemporary challenges?” “I think that the basic principle, indispensable to continue living together, is trust. It is thanks to trust among the fathers of Europe – French statesmen Jean Monnet and Robert Schuman, Konrad Adenauer (Germany), Alcide de Gasperi (Italy), Paul-Henri Spaak (Beligium) – that the first Communities were created (ECSC 1951; EEC, 1957 – ed.’s note). They had to overcome countless difficulties, but they firmly believed that united Europe was an asset greater than any ideology or nationality. Their beliefs and their coherence turned that project into a success. They devoted their political commitment in order to leave a legacy of peace, freedom and prosperity to future generations. I wish to add a common aspect of their personality: they were at the same time idealists and realists, two essential elements for a politician”. Among the “fathers” of Europe some were believers others were not. Was the Christian faith an element that truly led Schuman, Adenauer and De Gasperi towards the achievement of the Community goal? “It was. Schuman, Adenauer and De Gasperi were practicing Catholics and their faith unquestionably inspired their political action. Instead, Spaak was Socialist and atheist, while Monnet was agnostic and was never an activist in a political party. But it can be said that beyond the differences, they shared a common vision of Christian humanism of society. The three Catholics in particular developed a friendship based on faith and believed that European unity could be a way to apply Gospel principles to the political realm. For Schuman and De Gasperi was opened a beatification process. In fact, they considered their political commitment as a lay vocation”. You have identified and highlighted a set of speeches that these politicians addressed to youths at the time. Today, is there a message of hope for young people, so that they may continue believing in united Europe, overcoming populist and nationalistic feelings? “The fathers wanted to pass on a legacy to the next generations. Already at the time they understood that young people were more open to change and that they showed a yearning for cooperation and solidarity between peoples. ‘What was unconceivable for the fathers becomes natural for their offspring.’ Usually the young are those who urge for a change, without fear. Moreover, the founders of the European Community, now the EU, knew that they would have laid the foundation of a project, but that the young would have been the ones to continue fulfilling that dream. Europe is still a process under development, a leap into the unknown, and we must have the vision and the courage to take the next step. Everyone in society must assume their own responsibilities”.