These are the apparently growing divides between rich and poor, between the 'haves' and the 'have nots', and political, social and economic instability as a consequence of the rapid changes both on the domestic and international fronts. This is the context in which individuals and states alike have to act today. This is why I believe in the necessity to build strong positive individual and collective identities anchored in values that have withstood the tests of time, values that transcend temporal concerns and considerations. In this rapidly changing environment affecting all aspects of our lives, cultures and identities assume particular importance. They represent our anchorage.
Culture gives definition to a people's identity.
The richness of Europe lies in the fact that there exist a number of diverse traditions that evolved through the centuries into distinct expressions and ways of life. Diversity of ideologies and interests often gave rise to conflicts that wrecked havoc on the lives of many. The twentieth century was the background to the tragic events in Europe and elsewhere, with two conflicts of titanic consequences together with half a century marked by a bitter divide between East and West. The latest tragic examples were the wars in the Balkans during the past decade, where we witnessed dreadful episodes of ethnic cleansing and the massacre of innocent civilians. These are the lessons of history.