European Identity - Individual, Group and Society - HumanitarianNet

5.What Underlies European Policies? InstitutionalObjectives in the Construction of a European IdentityJulia GonzálezRector’s Delegate for International RelationsDeusto University, SpainIntroductionThe enlargement and the construction of “the new Europe”require a debate on European identity in the face of the presentchallenges. Can the future identity of the European Union (EuropeanCommunities or European United States) of 25 or 28 or 30 associates“become blurred”? Is there such a thing as a European identity? Evenfrom an open ended and dynamic conceptual framework whereconstruction is at the core, where does lie this identity for the citizen?Are there any frontiers in Europe or limits to the European countries,which wish to join forces, sharing the ideals? If there are frontiers orlimits, which ones are they?If history tells us that this topic of identity emerges at every criticalmoment of birth or growth, it is normal that it would appear stronglynow, pushed forward by the challenge of the greatest enlargementthat has ever taken place in the history of the Union.Besides, at the present moment, the construction of the newEurope needs to face the challenge of integrating the richness ofmigration. Is the European citizen prepared for diversity? And, whichlevel of diversity? How can Europe’s experience of managing diversitybest be developed to face up the challenge of a “new Europeancitizenship”?Parallel to this, in the current context of globalization, a growingdevelopment of regional groups can be witnessed. These may feel thattheir local identities are threatened and search for a place in the globalframework. The European Union who has constructed the most