Essay Competition

Moi, en tous cas je me sens européenne et j'espère que chaque personne vivant sur ce continent ressent le même sentiment d'appartenance. Mais cela n’est pas définitif, encore moins acquis malheureusement, il est illusoire de croire que sans effort et sans lutte cela restera ainsi. Le monde entier est influencé grâce à des personnes investies comme toi et moi mais aussi grâce au Conseil de l’Europe.

The European of the Future will change the world by stretching out hand to many people and holding many hands.

In my opinion, the Europeans of the future will have multiple and inter-religious values that will be much more complicated than racial, but too far from the world of science and technology.

It is the task of the Council of Europe […] to create the proper conditions for pursuing an ambitious climate policy that serves the interests of nature and thus too those of the people, and not those of money and corporations. […] In that light, everybody should officially have the right to inherit a healthy world from their forefathers, because otherwise all their other rights would be compromised.

In conclusion, it is obvious that my vision includes liberal citizens in constant alertness, being involved in political affairs, citizens characterized by altruism and open mindset who work together towards common problems solution. Modern Europe needs citizens who are not prisoners of material possession, intolerance, fanaticism but possess courage, tolerance in diversity and critical thinking. I hope for Europe of the future to lead towards the emergence of conscientious citizens, brilliant personalities and intelligent people. Let us all help each other for a future that heralds auspicious.

Let’s make Europe a welcoming place, let’s be the Europeans of the future.

Plus qu'une Europe, une identité, une idéologie : une vie

Tolerance, peaceful coexistence, support, respect for diversity, equality, love for liberty and aspiration towards it, have never been unfamiliar to me. Neither are they now. The main square of my country is called Liberty Square. I want you to believe that we have common ideals.

Can the citizens of Europe not have two sides, just like a euro? Can identification with your home country and shared European values not be flip sides of the very same coin? How we answer this question will define Europe’s citizen of the future. It also calls for a long search for a common European identity.

Like the ray of sunshine that is slowly but surely fighting its way over the mountain top before her, Europe has also fought its way out of its problems. Now it shines like never before.

Europe is unique. Millennia of feudalism, castes, classes, social inequality, religious persecution, empires, dictatorial regimes finally became the most progressive and democratic region (arguably even more democratic than the US) in the world. The principle of the balance of power in European international politics (according to Henry Kissinger’s work “Diplomacy”) was replaced with the principles of economic collaboration, peace, human rights, rule of law, and democracy preservation. In a changing world where Europe is losing its position as the global centre, it is very important to foresee the future of Europe and the future of human rights in the face of the erosion of democracy.

Le Conseil de l’Europe existe depuis 1949 et regroupe environ 840 millions d’Européens de 47 pays différents. Il s’engage depuis soixante-dix ans pour que ses valeurs fondamentales : « la Démocratie, les Droits de l’homme et l’État de droit » soient respectées et encadrées en Europe. Au cours des années, l’Europe et les Européens ont beaucoup changé et il est évident qu’a l’avenir, ils vont continuer à changer. Il est impossible de prédire les changements mais il est toujours possible de les imaginer. Alors pourquoi ne pas rêver un peu et imaginer qui et comment sera l’Européen du futur ?

"Children ... happily playing with their parents. ... “They are our future, Europe’s future! It’s our duty to work hard to make Europe a better place. What Europe is today, can and may break but still what will remain is the core – there are countries who still believe in a European Unity that can work together to re-direct Europe back on the right track....".

Europe is a home for all of us, a home to every individual with human values, developed consciousness and equality in the world of diversity. Our persistence and work will help us make our key to our kingdom of cubes thus finding our values. Why not trying? Why just dreaming? We are the Europeans of the future. That is what we are. Europe is in my whole being and I am Europe.

Europe. What is Europe exactly? Is it simply a continent? A cluster of countries that just happen to find themselves neighbours by geographical coincidence? For me and my generation, Europe is far more than that. It represents the notions of freedom, community, security and solidarity. For 70 years the Council of Europe has dedicated itself to this idea of Europe, and has a lot to show for its efforts. From the ruins of two world wars, a society based on peace and cooperation emerged that would transform the entire continent. As European integration was driven ever further forwards, economic cooperation too evolved and borderless travel became a reality for many Europeans.

My European utopia has a future based on love, equality and compromise. Nothing is impossible. I hope all of humanity and Europe can reach these one day.