On Europe Day, I cannot help but wonder how many Europeans accross the continent are really celebrating. I haven't lost my optimist attittude, but I see an increasing number of social, political and even safety issues that Europe is dealing with. I see more and more skepticism everywhere, amongst people I interact with in daily life.
For the past two of years, we've seen economic crises, inflows of refugees from North African and Middle Eastern countries, as well as terrorist attacks in Paris and Brussels. Countries are trying to reach a middle ground about almost everything, sometimes forgetting even about the national particularities on each country. Various European states are also turning towards extreme right political regimes, and the UK is contemplating exiting the EU.
On the beautiful sign of the spectrum, however, we enjoy all the consequences of freedom of movement. Travelling in Europe became increasingly easy, as well as studying and working within the EU, leading people to experience the different cultures of the old continent. Friendships, cultural practices, languages, mixed families... Amongst young people in particular I still see a lot of enthusiasm, as if Europe and European identity were (or maybe they really are?) this wonderful, lifelong project, to cultivate in a wide variety of ways.
However, what should be done in order to still experience the beautiful part, but, at the same time, make sure we stay safe, and that modern European values are not jeopardized? Or do you think we'd be better off separating and each country minding its own problems and regulating their own societies, whilst re-creating borders for the outside world.
More often than not, we are tempted to link the mass migration of refugees to the terrorist attacks which recently took place. But there are also genuine cases of people fleeing dangerous situations in their home countries. How could we differentiate between the intentions of these immigrants? I recently heard some politician/opinion leader/don't remember exactly who, saying that excessive control or restriction is just as bad as excessive tollerance. In a way, I believe it's true, because when an individual or a community is getting the feeling of not being accepted, anger towards the host country tends to rise even more. On the other hand, if someone arrives already with dangerous intention, authorities not doing anything about it would only create fertile ground for more evil deeds.
My personal opinion would be about finding the right balance between clear immigration policies, applied firmly but not aggressively or in petty ways, and increasing the activities of cultural mediation, exerted by official institutions, and, why not, also by each individual. If faced with multiculturalism in any shape or form, we also have the power to teach our 'outsider' aquaintances what is right and what is wrong on our territory. Or perhaps you think that somebody's individual contribution doesn't really count, and it is just a water drop in the ocean. Or you might also say that it should come from each state's institutions in authority, which at the moment are not doing enough, and they should be more strict about everything?
I invite you to think about it... and share with me! :)
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