European Identity - Individual, Group and Society - HumanitarianNet

WHAT UNDERLIES EUROPEAN POLICIES? INSTITUTIONAL OBJECTIVES IN ... 109knowledge space from the Commission of Culture, Youth, Education,Media and Sport has been presented by Cristina Gutiérrez Cortines 11 .ConclusionLooking internally and externally into the objectives in theinstitutional policies in relation to co-operation with Third Countriesand Higher Education, we could conclude by considering that there isevidence that the European identity underlies institutional objectives in,at least, some of the policies even in fields where responsibility used torest with the member states.However, several challenges can also be identified. Firstly, theEuropean identity is being developed at different speeds and needs toreach an even growing number of citizens. Secondly, the voice of Europe,which is emerging sometimes still hesitant in the global context needs tobecome clearer to bring alternative visions and new ways of movingahead. Thirdly, in a world context where diversity is not always respectedand is often a source of conflict, Europe may be called upon tocontribute with a vision of diversity as richness and with an experience ofhow to handle it. Fourthly, an important challenge to European identity isthat it goes beyond its frontiers and is open to real co-operation withthird countries: a co-operation based on a new style, as it is a newEurope which is being constructed with ‘dialogue’ as an identity mark.This requires understanding, listening, giving adequate answers and,above all, basic equality from the root in the consideration of partners.Finally, possibly the greatest challenge for European identity, in thisrespect, is to go beyond institutional objectives to produce the outcomesthat are sought by the designed policies.11(2001/2174 (INI)) Report from Parliament. Commission of Culture, Youth,Education, Media and Sport. Brussels, 24 May 2002.