Small, powerless and lacking in resources? This may be how a crisis stricken Europe looks next to emerging global players, however, in terms of international influence and regard, Europe is still a force to be reckoned with. This fact can be attributed, among other things, to the continent's leading exports: culture, education and expertise. Cultural factors will most likely play an increasingly important role in competing for the global public's attention.
This raises a number of important questions: How should Europe, and in turn Germany, position themselves in this competitive environment? Does Europe have a coherent approach to cultural diplomacy? Would this policy be able to hold its own and expand in the face of the cultures of rising global actors such as China, Brazil and India?
These questions were debated as part of the re:thinking tomorrow discussion series hosted by the Hertie School of Governance and Deutsche Welle on September 26 in Berlin. Moderated by Deutsche Welle's Kristin Zeier, the panel discussed a wide range of issues concerning European cultural identity and values.
Perception abroad
The German Chamber of Commerce in Sao Paulo opened the discussion with statistics from a survey conducted on the impression people have of Germany in Brazil. Ask the Brazilians what comes to mind when they think of Germany and many will say Michael Schumacher. Only six percent of a group of 1,000 respondents had any concrete knowledge of Germany, and it was thought that the same was true of Europe as a whole.
Mohammed Khelef continued the discussion with his own thoughts about the perception of Europe in Africa. He is a political journalist and blogger from Tanzania and currently works as a radio reporter for the Kiswahili department at Deutsche Welle. He began by explaining that the image of Europe as a highly developed and sophisticated region of the world did not hold true for Africans after visiting Europe. He believes that the positive image projected by Europe around the world is one-sided and the better half of the story. Finally, Khelef proposed a broadening of the definition of culture to include technology and political values as a way of life.
Multiple identities
Joining the debate about the image and identity of Europe, the British Ambassador to Germany Simon McDonald spoke about the issue of multiple identities in the modern era.
“We live in an era of multiple identities,” said McDonald, “there’s less interest in Washington in just a British line, a German or a French line than what is a collective European line, and when there is a collective line, we have the greatest impact.”
The ambassador said he believes that in cultural terms Europe stands for tradition and stability, openness, liberal values and intellectual rigour. McDonald noted that the cultural element offered by Europe to the world is no longer dictated by governments but a multitude of actors.
The Director of the Hertie School of Governance Professor Dr. Helmut K. Anheier also addressed the issue of multiple identities. He noted that a European identity was a largely class based issue. Those feeling the negative effects of the unionization of Europe are less likely to feel European or have multiple identities than those from the upper economic strata. He stressed the continuing attraction of Europe for foreigners many of whom continue to risk their lives to enter the region.
Cultural capital
Professor Yudhishthir Raj Isar is an analyst, advisor and academic for cultural policy studies and is currently professor of cultural studies at the American University of Paris. He suggested that Europeans tend to think of the formation of Europe in terms of economic competitiveness as a super-power on the world stage. He noted that the founding of the European Community was based on the desire for peace and stability and not driven by economic factors. Professor Isar discussed the lasting power and influence of Europe's intellectual legacy but dismissed the “European face” or common European front as “rhetorical humbug”. In his opinion, European cultural policy is simply the display of cultural capital in order to gain prestige. He addressed the question of what is European about European values when other regions appropriate them as well.
Dr. Jana Binder, head of culture at the Goethe Institute in Sao Paulo in Brazil stressed the importance of acting at a local level in response to differing regional circumstances as opposed to the application of a monolithic foreign culture policy.
Democracy and human rights as cultural identity
Ruprecht Polenz, member of the Bundestag and the Chairman of the Bundestag's Committee on Foreign Affairs touched on the issue of immigration and what Europe has to offer. He noted that Europe's ideas of democracy, rule of law, protection of minorities and human dignity were the key factors attracting people from around the world to Europe. European identity, he said, is rooted not in a shared cultural identity but the values of democracy and human rights.
“I think Europe is doing very well,” said Polenz, “and if you asked Europeans whether they’d like to live on other continents, you probably get the answer, No.”
Author: Helen Whittle
Editor: Kristin Zeier
