Believing in the European ideals

The European Union began with an ideal. After World War II, people like Schuman, Monnet and De Gasperi came together to reflect on how wars on the European continent could be prevented in the future.

They had a vision of a Europe of peace, justice and solidarity. Starting from this vision, they embarked on a process of cooperation on the economic and social fronts as well. The free movement of people, goods and services has made many things easier and all countries made economic progress on that basis.

Today, we have a EU which deserves to be developed further. Without doubt, enlargement of the EU, apart from ensuring further trade and economic growth, is a reaffirmation in the ideals of peace, justice and solidarity on which the EU was founded. For the future of Europe, it remains important to keep these ideals in mind.

The EU will only grow successfully if new generations of citizens are committed to those ideals. EU citizens need to be interested and motivated to involve themselves as much as possible in EU programmes and structures to strengthen them and make them truly beneficial for the EU community and its development.

Enlargement thus presents the EU with another challenge; to consider the relevance and underlying assumptions of active citizenship. What does the EU expect of its citizens? How does it intend to prepare citizens for taking responsibility?

How does it intend to work towards a Europe "close to the citizen"? New developments such as financial and cultural globalisation, multiculturalism, environmental issues, new technology and increasing violence in society all call for new responses.

When Europe is perceived as a project of liberation and of increased freedom for individuals, the enthusiasm by the European citizens is astounding but when they realise that for the project to be successful there must also be a political commitment, buying much more of policies and regulations they are trying to escape, many hesitate and quite a few turn sceptical.

Unfortunately, people are still far from understanding the EU's common structures and values. The challenge posed by people's scepticism and insecurity about Europe must be overcome.

It is first and foremost a political duty to answer questions about the future of EU institutions and their democratic basis, yet civic education in the European sense is also a necessity to provide information and dismantle prejudice.

The European dimension is crucial in education in schools and outside the school sector.

The importance of the "intermediate structures" of civil society, of citizens' organisations and associations have never been so pronouncedly felt. These intermediate structures might prove to be instrumental in allowing citizens to experience and learn to value the wealth of various cultures, societies and languages in Europe and to administer programmes targeting various generations of EU citizens seeking to interest them in the European ideal.

Civic education cannot replace the political decisions that are necessary but political education must, and can, reinforce people's awareness of "a European Union added value".

Political education centred on Europe must prevent ignorance from turning to lack of interest, in turn breeding further ignorance.

The process of European integration is not only a question of politics, economics and institutions.

It is, foremost, a question of people sharing the same commitment and the same ideals. Europe should develop an active partnership with civil society.

With public authorities and social organisations working together, Europe is certain to gain stronger public and democratic support.

Mr Psaila B.Com, B.Accy (Hons.) is a Nationalist Party candidate for the Qormi local council election.