European Union and European identity between multiculturalism and equal treatment

In this regard, it will probably not be superfluous to remember that L. Febvre, way back in 1944, wrote that Europe had represented almost a "refuge" for those who still wanted to believe, following the world wars, in the possible existence of a society respectful of human and citizen rights, and in a peaceful organizational system of nation states. Nor will it be superfluous to observe how the (re)construction (if we can call it that) of the cultural and spiritual unity of this Europe of current times, can and must be considered as a necessary condition, and/or founding presupposition, to be able to bring to completion any political project, even if only and simply by renewing it, in adaptation to the contingent geopolitical vicissitudes. In the meantime, because the construction and/or reconstruction of a European identity as such does not seem to be possible without the agreed identification of common and shared symbols and values. Therefore, why, the rediscovery of the European identity profile, in no way should and/or could ignore a strong and conscious feeling of belonging to a habitual, usual and ordinary dimension of civilization. Finally, because even just feeling like European citizens would seem to have as a corollary what would generally be defined as a "sense of belonging" aimed at researching and identifying a set of values that can be qualified as truly identifying and qualifying Europe, which, far from being conceived as a pure and simple union of States, should rather be considered as an organized structure with its own specific and defined cultural identity, within which each Member delegates part of its sovereignty while remaining in equal status with others. Saying it differently, what is commonly defined as the transfer of sovereignty would seem to constitute, as in fact it does, an essential element of being together for the creation of shared balances by virtue of which each Member State contributes, in concert with the others, and in a position of equality, to the construction of common rules. The European Union which has already, over the past long years, guaranteed peace throughout the entire continent, can still, and better, continue to guarantee it, and it does not seem possible to ignore it as the European Union, the social and human nature that it represents and circumscribes, is embodied in the sharing of what were identified from the beginning as fundamental values, namely the constant commitment to the creation of lasting peace, equality, freedom, security, unity, and last, but not least, solidarity. Multiculturalism, prohibition of discrimination and principle of equal treatment: these are the characteristic features. The founding elements that can contribute to strengthening the role of the European Union as a peace mediator and necessary interlocutor in international mediations.

Giuseppina Di Salvatore – Lawyer, Nuoro