European Identity - Individual, Group and Society - HumanitarianNet

90 EUROPEAN IDENTITY. INDIVIDUAL, GROUP AND SOCIETYThe “European dimension of diversity” is more than anything else aquestion of being interdisciplinary in the global education frame, whichtakes in consideration each phenomenon studied in all dimensions.Ryba (1991:61) indicates that Europe’s interpretation of the educationaldimension is fundamentally a question of developing competencies,values, and attitudes to live satisfactorily in Europe.The education frame, more than anything else, is a question ofperspective and focus when it comes to explaining the learning ofdifferent disciplines and skills which are not only approached fromregional or national focus, but also from a transnational dimension.Leuprecht, in the speech previously cited, points out that it should be amind’s disposition, which develops through existing disciplines: amultiplicity of viewpoints taking in consideration diverse conceptions,in a spirit of tolerance and respect for diversity; a personal sense ofjudgement and curiosity and an active sense of dialogue andcitizenship. Along that same line, Leclercq (1999:21) indicates thatincorporating the European dimension in education would favour anopening and enrichment of information and behaviour, makingpossible the creation of civic, social, and cultural spaces in whichknowledge and respect of others would prevail, and a sense ofbelonging to a larger community could be created.What did the European education programmes contributeto the development of the European identity? 8Beginning in 1995, big programs were put into effect that still havevigour: SOCRATES regarding education, LEONARDO DA VINCI in vocationaltraining, and YOUTH 9 . Regarding these European programmes wequestion: To what extent did they contribute to the development ofEurope’s identity?8For an extensión of this section, consult the chapter by Rodríguez Lajo, M, enBartolomé (coord.) (2002).9Educational programs stop being sectorials and become macroprograms which aresubdivided in sectorial programs, enlarging the number of participant countries, lengthin time, and economic possibilities. More information about these programs can befound in the following electronic addresses:http://www.mec.es/sgpe/socrates;http://www.mec.es/sgci/socrates;http://www.mec.es/fp/leonardo;http://www.socleoyouth.be;http://europa.eu.int/comm/education/youth/youthprogram.html.