europe's (torn?) identity - Projects - AEGEE Europe

GREETING
A great opportunity opened up for Europe at the end of the previous century. The
tremendous energy of dissatisfaction with the unnatural barriers and walls separating
peoples, nations and states in 20 th century Europe brought down these
walls and created an opportunity for peoples and nations to live side by side in
tolerance, respect and solidarity. Moreover, it allowed them to live with one
another in active and responsible coexistence.
Today such a Europe can be described as our realistic common future. It is no
longer Utopia; it is becoming a real possibility. Borders in Europe are quickly
disappearing. They are disappearing from maps and documents. They must also
disappear from our minds, from the realm of thought, which we have inherited.
That is where they are most stubbornly rooted with all their consequences. That
is where each of us ourselves must bring these borders down. Borders towards
fellow man, borders towards those who are different. A Europe of peace, cooperation,
progress, social justice, trust and creativity is a state of mind of the people
of Europe.
Such a Europe will be capable of being an influential and responsible factor in
the world. Faithful to its great spiritual tradition and ethical values, it will be
capable and willing to engage in an equitable dialogue with other great civilizations
and seek together with them elements of a common ethic that would
serve as a basis for effective common governance of our interdependent world
and for taking responsibility for that world without anyone perceiving that ethic
and its values as spiritual violence and hegemony over their own spiritual tradition.
Such a common ethic comprises not only respect for man, his life, dignity
and rights, but also the golden rule of human coexistence: do not do unto
others what you would not want done unto yourself. Even more than that, it
takes on the active form of this principle: do unto others what you want others
to do unto you.
Such a Europe is not a given yet, however. It is the vision based on understanding,
knowledge and a high level of spiritual and material creativity. It is
an opportunity that you in your International Politics Working Group are well
aware of. I wish for you to put this conference to good use in seeking answers
to questions about today's Europeans and Europe's torn identity.
Milan KU^AN
Former President of the Republic of Slovenia
Honorary patron of the “Europe's (Torn?) Identity” conference
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