A common set of values in Europa. Youth, the trendsetter of tomorrow? Dipl. Pol. Julia Würtz M.A. Researcher, doctoral fellow University Duisburg-Essen www.julia-wuertz.eu European Conference, Budapest 12. May 2011
Friendship Democracy Religion Freedom Environmental awareness Self-fulfillment Tolerance Respect Family Tradition Equality Julia Würtz, University Duisburg-Essen 2
What are European values? European values are not necessarily something, you have as an European citizens. - It is a psychological concept. It does not mean, that people who agree on a common set of values in Europe, have the same idea of its meaning. In addition to the European values, personal, cultural, national etc. values also play an important role. Julia Würtz, University Duisburg-Essen 3
Values = conception of something desirable (Kluckhohn 1951) Features: Orientation in the thinking and acting, identification, satisfaction of needs Differentiation: Personal values, social values, collective values Collective values = European values conception of something desirable for Europe that is shared by a group Julia Würtz, University Duisburg-Essen 4
Emergence of European values 1. History and culture of Europe - Greek antiquity, French Revolution etc. - Experiences of war and division led to shared values 2. Constitutions and legal documents in Europe - Treaty on the European Union (Lisbon-Treaty) 3. European encounter and exchange - values are negotiated between Europeans Julia Würtz, University Duisburg-Essen 5
Do we have a common set of values in Europe? Julia Würtz, University Duisburg-Essen 6
Julia Würtz, University Duisburg-Essen 7
There are no common European values, only global western values Agree Disagree D.K. EB 2008 0 100 Julia Würtz, University Duisburg-Essen 8
Which three of the following values, best represent the EU? (Max. 3. answers) EB 69, Spring 2008 Human rights Peace Democracy Rule of Law Respect for other cultures Solidarity, support for Respect for human life Equality Individual freedom Tolerance Self-fulfilment Religion None of these 0 10 20 30 40 Julia Würtz, University Duisburg-Essen 9 01/19/2011
Do we need a common set of values in Europe? Julia Würtz, University Duisburg-Essen 10
United in diversity 1. United by a common set of values Democracy = "rule of the people Support for the political community depends on a sense of political community, a we-feeling supported by a common set of basic values. 2. Diversity of values In Europe we have different cultural, personal, national, regional etc. values. This diversity should be preserved. Julia Würtz, University Duisburg-Essen 11
In which way should learning mobility programs support a common set of values in Europe? Julia Würtz, University Duisburg-Essen 12
Learning mobility programs should create a learning environment for exchange and understanding about: 1. a common set of basic values in Europe as democracy, human rights, equality, freedom, rule of law citizenship education or learning for democracy 2. diversity of values in Europe as cultural values, regional values, personal values, national values etc. intercultural education Julia Würtz, University Duisburg-Essen 13
1. A common set of basic values Julia Würtz, University Duisburg-Essen 14
2. Diversity of values in Europe www.atlasofeuropeanvalues.eu Family important in life. Julia Würtz, University Duisburg-Essen 15
Thank you for your attention Julia Würtz, University Duisburg-Essen 16 01/19/2011