Mr President, I must congratulate Mr Graça Moura because this document is the result of a common conviction, of a professional approach dedicated to culture. To advocate common learning in schools at a time when nationalist arguments are increasing seems to me to be courageous and worthy of our gratitude. I say it is worthy of praise because fundamentally, although this document appears to be written with a light touch, it defends the universality of knowledge and wisdom to the hilt. We also note a degree of rebelliousness against an exaggerated interpretation of subsidiarity. We in this House argue that education for an integrated Europe does not end simply with the euro or other common economic aspects, but that it must be the result of a sense of belonging, of a common project which must be based on history, on knowing who we are, what our common foundations are and, above all, where the principles and values of our times are to be found and what the thinking behind the united Europe we are moving towards is. Furthermore, I believe there has been an unbalanced development of the European system. Common policies have been enhanced every day, but there has been fear of making progress on the creation of common store of knowledge. Nationalisms – I repeat – with an inbred, small-minded and egotistical interpretation of the administration of knowledge and education have increased the suspicion of the creation of common information, which could be shared by all European educational establishments. I have tabled an amendment calling for an active policy in favour of re-evaluating our common cultural heritage. An active and lively policy which helps the weakest and creates common criteria. Likewise, I have called for there to be information signs in museums in more than one language of the Union, in several languages of the Union. I think that looking at signs in our own cities and in our own languages is a concept that must be overcome. I have tabled an amendment calling on the Commission and the Member States to promote research projects on the great cornerstones of European civilisation, such as common law, the history of the institutions, education, forms of co-existence and common rules, social and anthropological practices, as well as artistic expressions. I believe and advocate that if we study the history of our civilisation and culture or of our institutions we will be able to rebuild foundations which existed, which exist and which unite us. To put it another way: we are the result of a constant exchange of ideas, of models of life, of solutions and concepts which allow us to say that Europe has been preparing for centuries to be Europe. Europe has worked hard for a common heritage. This is why it has been so easy to build Europe. Municipal life, the concept of human dignity, of individual rights, of people’s freedom, of the family is the principal social nucleus and of municipalities as the broadest framework of rights and co-existence, solidarity, the concept of the State, they are all European concepts, as well as the concept of secularity. Furthermore, the very differences which make up what we so often call our cultural diversity demonstrate the wealth of interpretation and ways of living with a single common heritage. Let us offer young people the opportunity to know all of it.

Political group: PPE-DE