European Identity - Individual, Group and Society - HumanitarianNet

292 EUROPEAN IDENTITY. INDIVIDUAL, GROUP AND SOCIETYIndeed, the founders of the European Union assigned two mainobjectives to their project: PEACE and PROSPERITY. Europeans seem tohave started with and achieved the easiest one: economic prosperitywith a social face. Much has also been achieved with regard to PEACE.Since the end of the World War Two, there has been no large scale anddevastating war between and among the Union members. Yet, recentand ongoing tragedies in the backyard of the Union, that is, theBalkans, have proven how much still needs to be done to makePACIFISM become a common identity future of all Europeans.Here is where EDUCATION, in its broadest sense, both informal andformal, has to play a crucial role for translating ideals and dreams intosocial reality. It is through a certain type of EDUCATION —a peaceeducation— that Europe will succeed in eradicating violence, both inthe minds and actions of its people. It is through education that Europeis and should be constructing slowly but surely integrated andintegrative identities that are open and receptive to other cultures andsocieties, and which are inspired by a strong sense of shared values andby a genuine tolerance and appreciation of the OTHER.ConclusionIt is its non-violent struggle for freedom, human dignity, socialjustice and human security —transcend values for every human being—that Europe has become a constructor of transversal and globalisedidentities whereby richness and unity are best achieved in diversity.Indeed, for European nations to concede what they have actuallyconceded to Brussels (their capital), something more than economicand political interests must have been at stake. This something canonly be the choice for peace and pacifist means to achieve it. It is thisway of achieving PEACE and RPOSPERITY through a continuous frankdialogue, mutual understanding, recognition, respect, acceptation andassistance that Europe could and should serve as a model of inspirationfor other parts of the world.