EU policies & guidelines for practice
Promoting Diversity, Tolerance and the Respect of Common European Values - where do we stand?
As stated by President Juncker in his 2017 State of the Union address ‘Europe is more than just a single market. More than money, more than the euro. It was always about our values.’ These values are at the heart of the European project and are set out in Article 2 of the Treaty on the European Union. They refer to democracy based on the rule of law, pluralism and justice; the importance of human dignity, freedom and respect for human rights; and equality as it extends to respect for the rights of persons belonging to minorities, between men and women. Similarly, non-discrimination and tolerance create the fabric of our European societies and are fundamental to their functioning.
European policies & guidelines for practice: milestones
The White Paper on Intercultural Dialogue “Living Together As Equals in Dignity” has been launched by the Council of Europe Ministers of Foreign Affairs at their 118th Ministerial Session (Strasbourg, 7 May 2008).
The Declaration of Paris (2015) supports ‘fundamental values that lie at the heart of the European Union: respect for human dignity, freedom (including freedom of expression), democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human right. These values are common to the Member States in a European society in which pluralism, non-discrimination, tolerance, justice, solidarity and equality between women and men prevail’.
The Council of Europe (2016) states that ‘both competences and democratic institutions are essential to sustain a culture of democracy. In addition, the democratic participation of all citizens within society requires measures to tackle social inequalities and structural disadvantages’, that will allow for ‘living together as equals in culturally diverse democratic societies.
On 17 January 2018, the European Commission has published a proposal for a Council Recommendation on common values, inclusive education ant the European dimension of teaching, providing guidance to Member States on how inclusive education and young people’s experience of their European identity in all its diversity can help promote shared values.
International citizen debate
"European Towns Promoting Diversity, Tolerance and the Respect of Common Values:
Migrants` and Minorities` Integration and Inclusion"
28-31 August 2023, Dublin, Ireland
Debated Topics
The meeting will be focusing on the five main topic areas:
1. Promoting Diversity, Tolerance and the Respect of Common European Values - where do we stand?
2. Minorities and migrants in local partners communities - challenges to diversity management and inclusion in European societies.
3. Policies and practices for inclusion, applied by European towns.
4. Innovative approaches and diversity management practices.
5. Debating adequate and applicable local strategies for human rights promotion and democratic participation in European towns.
OVERVIEW
The International citizen debate “European Towns Promoting Diversity, Tolerance and the Respect of Common Values: Migrants` and Minorities` Integration and Inclusion" is a citizens meeting of the partners within the INDIMAE Network and local communities in Ireland.
In the on-going debate on the future of Europe, it is paramount to underline that the European Union is a union based on common values.
European societies are increasingly characterised by common challenges (e.g. migration, youth unemployment, increasing poverty) and new realities (e.g. populism, divisive nationalism, rise of extremism). These challenges and realities for society are reflected in the classroom. They require a unified vision.
And although Europe is built on identities with national and regional dimensions and connotations with Member States having their own distinct set of characteristics and values, there are values which are shared by all. This is the starting point for our discussions during this meeting.
This publication has been produced with the support of the Europe for Citizens Program of the European Union. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of the INDIMAE project partnership and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the Commission.
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