European Identity - Individual, Group and Society - HumanitarianNet

THE EUROPEAN DIMENSION OF EDUCATION 89foundations themselves of contemporary Europe to find ourselves withthe new European reality and new interests created by it.For Bîrzéa (1999:73) the simplest way to describe the “Europeandimension of education” is to say that it is a way to open an additionalarea of liberty in education (…) it is centred in democracy, in pluralism,and in interculturalism, and it is understood as a specific concept forEurope with direct consequences for political education 7 . For thisauthor the project is in a construction phase, and is a new experiencecreated jointly by the European members. Leclercq (1999:104) definesthat the European dimension of education recognises heritage diversityas well as protects shared ideals, and it accepts the differences as wellas aims at a mutual understanding.However, these forms of defining the European dimension ofeducation enclose a new vision of Europe which Peter Leuprecht,Adjunct Secretary General of the European Council, in his 1996 speechoutlined in six points.—If it has to be a solid and lasting construction, Europe has to befirst and foremost a community of shared values, such as: a certainconception of humans, their inalienable dignity, fundamentalrights, and the location of each individual in society; pluralistdemocracy; law’s supremacy. These shared values should constitutea characteristic of Europe’s society, Europe’s construction, andEurope’s action in the world’s spheres.—If this were to be achieved, Europe would be more democratic,closer to its citizens, and it would constitute a frame in whichpeople could be and act as citizens, and execute their civicactivities in the European municipal, regional, and state spheres.—Europe should liberate itself from the pan-economic shackles, thenew determinism, and reduce its democratic deficit, solidarity,and justice. Europe should give meaning and content to itsliberty. It has to be a responsible liberty. Europe has to havesolidarity.—Europe has to be united and plural at the same time. Amulticultural and tolerant Europe which perceives diversity assomething immensely enriching has to be built.—Finally, I dream of a Europe that makes people dream, to whichcitizens can very well have a sense of belonging and in whichthey have an authentic opportunity to participate.7Ryba, R. (1995) Unidad en la diversidad: el enigma de la dimensión europea.Oxford Review of Education, vol 21, 1, 25-26.