Debates on European Identity (2013-14)

What are the roots of European identity? What does European identity mean today and how is it related to European integration? How can the Council of Europe help foster positive European identities?

The Debates on European Identity were an initiative of Thorbjørn Jagland, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, in response to the difficult and challenging times facing European societies today. Building on the format of the previous Democracy debates, and enlarging the thematic scope, they contributed to discussing the current state of thinking and dynamics behind the concept of European Identity. They were intended to serve as a catalyst of ideas and concepts for the future of Europe, thereby contributing to building constructive European identities.

Co-organised by the Council of Europe and the Ecole Nationale d'Administration (ENA), the debates on European identity featured eminent personalities from politics, civil society and academic world. Each time, speakers addressed a different way the complexity of issues related to European identity.

All European Identity Debates

Back Tzvetan TODOROV, French essayist, philosopher and historian, on 'In search of Europe'

Eighth debate

Tzvetan Todorov remains convinced that the rationale in favour of the EU is still valid and suggests that building a cultural, or even spiritual, identity for Europe may help to overcome many disappointments and strengthen people’s connection with Europe

Tzvetan Todorov, Council of Europe Council of Europe Debate on European Identity, Strasbourg 13 February 2014

In his Introduction speech , Tzvetan Todorov exposed his vision of European identity.

According to him, the growing unhappiness with the European Union (EU) amongst the population should be understood as a response to politicians’ lack of vision for the European project. Interminable debates on bureaucratic rules and regulations, coupled with inadequate responses to the economic and social crises facing Europe’s citizens, leave citizens discouraged.

He remains convinced that the rationale in favour of the EU is still valid and suggests that building a cultural, or even spiritual, identity for Europe may help to overcome many disappointments and strengthen people’s connection with Europe.

Tzvetan Todorov notes the benefits from the richness of European culture, its plurality and diversity of traditions and ways of life, but he also sees difficulties with attempts to define a shared identity. He opts for an identity which refers to the constitutive pluralism of the EU as a basis of unity. This should embrace tolerance, emulation, critical thinking, generalised secularism, 'general will' (Rousseau) and 'common sense' (Kant). He draws particular attention to the significance and status of diversity as well as common memories and the coexistence of national and regional identities (‘Europe as a form of cohabitation between nations’).

Audio recording (including discussion)