Europe is regarded as being the most prolific continent in the areas of art, sciences, politics, discoveries and inventions. Europe was also a pioneer in various fields, such as transportation, research, trade and urbanization. But, despite all of these significant historical feats, Europe has not been yet able to embrace itself, to accept itself in all of its diversity and contrasts or to unite.
Throughout history, there have been many events or circumstances which should have had the power to stimulate us to seek a better understanding of each other, but which were ultimately unsuccessful: the Romanization, the barbarian invasions, the relations of trade and cultural exchanges between different countries, migrations from one country to another, having the same religion, Christianity, and similar core traditions. Furthermore, we all have the same ideal: the prosperity of Europe and with it the prosperity of each and every individual. Then why haven’t we managed to dissipate the distance between us, to shade the borders, to achieve union?
Firstly, Europe has never united for something, but against something. We have always reached temporary common ground only in urgent situations, the last one being the rise of strong foreign economic centers and the risk of extremist nationalism within the continent. We preferred to act together rather than separately in order to avoid economic suppression and further separation. But we need to unite for ourselves, for our common ancestry, for our being a big family.
The European Union is the biggest promoter of Europe and of its values. The EU is constantly trying to integrate us all into the “European spirit”, to get us to the status of European citizen. Then what is it that stops us from receiving our siblings with their due love and respect? The answer is again history.
Our tumultuous history makes us distrust our siblings, or even dismiss them from the very beginning by labeling them based on more or less founded prejudice. What the nations of the continent need to understand though, is that the past is past, that any wound inflicted on them before was caused by the personal pride of the leaders of the countries rather than the national pride of the people and that at present every member state of Europe must be treated with equality, for each and every country contributed its unique part to the common European legacy.
The only way to convert the distrust into trust is by education, respect and tolerance. Education should provide us with information about the great cultural diversity fostered by our home continent. We should also grow accustomed early in life with the way people of different nationalities from Europe think, work, live and with their specific culture and folklore in order to understand them better. Fortunately, this can be easily achieved by continuous communication between the countries, backed by projects and special travelling programs designed especially for this purpose. Some of these measures have already been implemented and the language institutes worldwide usually spread their countries’ cultures as well as their respective mother tongues.
If we manage to get to know and understand the other people of Europe from an early age, there would be no culture shock later on and, consequently, no prejudice. If prejudice is absent and understanding is present, respect becomes the foundation of the relationship.
Respect is a crucial aspect of the European unification, as everybody wants to preserve their national and cultural identity. If we respect a country, we respect its individualism entirely and we do not try to shape it according to our own regard. As a conclusion, respect ensures the preservation of national identities within the larger concept of the European identity. A united Europe would not impose one culture over the rest but rather teach everyone about the European family, without having them abandon their original identity.
Tolerance would have the same role within the continental family as within a normal family. If various members do not agree about an issue with the others, tolerance and compromise will enable them to reach common ground and pick the best solution. Also, tolerance has a role in the unification of Europe as a single player, by its being the means of integrating the more secluded countries into the “European spirit”. Those countries have valid reasons for their not having much contact with the rest of the home continent( internal problems, previous political regimes etc ) and should therefore be assisted in their adjustment period with kindness, patience and tolerance.
To my mind, Europe will be able to unite, to have better and simpler communications, improved relations and more success simply by having its people learn to accept the cultural differences between states not just because they want to be politically correct, but because they really do have the seed of acceptance sown into their hearts. That is the unique possibility of a long-term European unification.