ACTIVITIES 2005 - European Academy of Sciences and Arts

THE THE YOUNG YOUNG MUST MUST PARTICIPATE
The The multitude of deep of deep traditions is a is unique a unique strength strength of Europe. of Europe.
The The respect respect for for the the different different traditions of the of the past past continues in the in the tolerance
of the of the differences in the in the present. present. As societies As societies become become increasingly open open and and
complex, uncertainties often often increase. increase.
Young Young generations want want to understand to understand the the world world and and the the reasons reasons behind behind the the
political political decisions. Young Young generations more more easily easily recognise, accept accept and and
adapt adapt to pressures to pressures a societal a societal system system receives receives from from outside, outside, as a asresult a result of of
such such openness.
Recent Recent events events in Europe in Europe have have shown shown that that political political leaders leaders are are reluctant reluctant to to
provide provide responsible leadership and and fulfil fulfil democratic mandates. Politicians
are are becoming increasingly risk-averse as they as they strive strive to ensure to ensure re-election.
They They often often prefer prefer to send to send decisions on issues on issues that that are are neither neither required required nor nor
foreseen foreseen for for a referendum a referendum back back to the to the public. public. This This avoids avoids political political leaderleadershipship and and responsibility; referenda become become instruments of non-governance.
of non-governance.
Policy-makers have have a difficult a difficult task task to decide to decide when when and and what what degree degree of of
guidance and and precaution is required. is required. Turning Turning towards towards various various parts parts of soci- of societyety
(younger generations, older older generations, experts) experts) might might lead lead to diverg- to diverginging
conclusions. As As a consequence, a consequence, societal societal uncertainties “hang “hang in the in the air” air”
and and often often remain remain unresolved for some for some time. time.
The The apparent apparent lack lack of moral of moral and and political political leadership brings brings about about evereverincreasing reservations about- about- and and distrust distrust in the in the political political establishment.
This This distrust distrust appears appears to be to more be more pronounced among among younger younger generations,
where where individuals often often seek seek guidance and and inspiration for for their their future. future.
Knowledge and and trust trust by the by the public public are are determining attributes for for the the accepacceptancetance of political of political leadership. In turn, In turn, public public trust trust and and knowledge exist exist when when
the the leadership is objective, is objective, issue issue oriented, oriented, transparent, engages engages in dialogue in dialogue
with with the the public public and and is able is able to show to show vision vision for for the the future. future. If at If all at possible, all possible,
the the latter latter should should be optimistic be optimistic and and within within the the reach reach of the of the population. It It
should, should, in any in any case, case, take take account account of younger of younger generations.
When When political political leadership becomes becomes so cautious so cautious and and structured that that it can it can
only only see see individual pieces pieces of aof larger a larger puzzle puzzle and and lacks lacks the the synthetic ability ability
required required to provide to provide vision, vision, the the younger younger generation and and its interests its interests are are marmarginalized in, if in, not if not barred barred from, from, the the political political processes.
The The main main moral moral duty duty entrusted to modern to modern democratic societies societies is the is the task task of of
open, open, equitable education. It entails It entails education that that does does not not target target the the "pro"pro- duction"duction" of disciples of disciples (i.e. (i.e. people people like like us) us) but but targets targets the the elimination of the of the
fear fear of "others". of "others". Education, continued education and and vocational training training
should should produce produce citizens citizens that that are are able able to think to think independently – rather – rather than than
being being indoctrinated by "sound by "sound bites". bites".