Europe's identity in the crisis: How do we deal with the past?

Europe's identity in the crisis: How do we deal with the past?

Cardinal State Secretary Pietro Parolin expressed that Europe is suffering from a conceptual weakness in the current geopolitical situation. Parolin sees the causes of this weakness in an inadequate examination of one's own history and a fear of the past. "In addition to many dark episodes, there are many more bright moments in Europe's history," emphasized Parolin, who considers a return to clear, common roots as necessary in order to counter the challenges in the areas of culture, migration and trade. These views were recorded in a report by kap .

In addition, it becomes clear in an article by the Federal Center for Political Education that European integration has changed over the years. The safe foundations that originally resulted from the experience of the Second World War have lost importance, while economic issues were more dominated. Setbacks, such as the failed acceptance of a European constitution in 2005 in France and the Netherlands, as well as the growing of European parties in many Member States, increase uncertainty about European unification. Bavarian influence is clear, so that citizens are increasingly feeling that political decisions are excluded. here describes the changing public opinion on the EU, Stronger content and a broader citizen participation in important decisions.

The failure to grasp the EU as a space for common values and history could have fatal consequences. It is of central importance that Europe becomes aware of its cultural and historical roots in order to develop a clear and future -oriented vision. Without this change of perspective, the continent threatens to be faced with enormous challenges and uncertainties in the future.