Local and regional elected politicians discuss cultural diversity across regions in Europe and its role to promote a European way of life with Commission Vice-Presidnet Schinas.
The need to enhance the promotion for the EU capitals of culture, to highlight the richness and cultural diversity of Europe and the EU identity and values, the role of culture as a main driving force of our European identity and in promoting dialogue and cultural exchange between people as well as the role of education to fight intolerance, racism, populism were they key points raised by EPP-CoR members during a plenary debate on promoting the European Values through culture and education with Margaritis Schinas, Vice-President of the European Commission for Promoting our European Way of Life.
Alin-Adrian Nica, President of Timis County Council spoke about the need to enhance the promotion for the EU capitals of culture, to give international attention to the selected cities and to highlight the richness and cultural diversity of Europe and the EU identity and values. “The EU’s cultural actions, like the EU Capitals of Culture program, are meant to highlight the values that the EU stands for: democracy, civic involvement, human rights, diversity, EU identity. They are important tools to strenghten the EU's message that would reach all the participants, may they be locals or visitors to these events. The best way to promote these values is to promote the events themselves.”
Jesús Gamallo Aller, Director-General for External Relations and Relations with the European Union for the Region of Galicia said "Education and culture are main driving force of our European identity, on which we must continue to work so as to promote our common values and strengthen the future of the European project. We must also promote the knowledge and dissemination of the historical foundations on which the Union was built." In this regard, he highlighted that, throughout the history of Europe, the 'Way of St. James' has played a crucial role in promoting dialogue and cultural exchange between people of different nationalities, creating a bond of solidarity and integration between them.
Isabel Díaz Ayuso, President of the Region of Madrid spoke on demographic challenges and the need to support parents and families. She defended educational freedom for which autonomy has "always" been committed, recalling that in Madrid 96% of parents can choose as the first option the school and the model they want for their children "regardless of the municipality and the postal code where they live, whether it is public, private, arranged or for special education." “We have also sought a model of coexistence between new technologies and the traditional school, on the one hand, eliminating the cell phone from the classrooms, but at the same time deepening digitisation, but also the culture of effort, sacrifice and respect for the teacher.”
Sari Rautio, Chair of City Board of Hämeenlinna and Vice-Chair of Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities said "Childfriendy Europe is something we should all aim for. All children need equal chances and hope for a better future. A childfriendly Europe is good for all – and we know how to make it!”
Emil Boc, Mayor of Cluj-Napoca said that education and culture represent the oxygen of our European way of life. "Education and culture are the best antidote to intolerance, racism, populism and ignorance. Education is the best way to get out of poverty." He added that the power of unity and working together is the very brand of the European way of life.
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