Changes from plenary report to adopted text

RemovedEXPLANATORY STATEMENT

RemovedThis report is largely based upon the findings of two studies requested by the European Parliament’s Committee on Culture and Education titled “European Historical Memory: Policies, Challenges and Perspectives” and “European Identity”, and puts the concept of ‘historical consciousness’ into its focus.

RemovedThe fundamental value of ‘historical consciousness’ emerges from the underlying assumption that the knowledge of history is not only a value in itself, but informs our understanding of the present and additionally guides us in our attempts to shape the future.

RemovedIndeed, historical consciousness helps us interpret the past, but it also assists us in our understanding of who we are, and where we are positioned in time. In other words, historical consciousness does not only assist in developing a sensitivity towards and an understanding of the past, but also increases a self-awareness of ourselves, as Europeans in relation to history.

RemovedA critical review of the past should not be limited, however, to emphasising the victims of authoritarian and totalitarian regimes; it should reassess all dark sides of European history, including colonialism, racism, violations of human rights and gender-based historical injustices.

RemovedWith this in mind, the present report of the European Parliament on “European historical consciousness” is structured in four parts:

Removed• The first part (Dealing with Europe’s past as a risk and an opportunity) acknowledges the importance of dealing with history in a responsible and critical way as a sine qua non, as an intrinsic need to learn from our past.

Removed• The second part (Politics of the past in the European Union – a critical assessment) underlines the danger of nurturing a teleological and simplistic narrative of history in which the horrors of the past serve as a ‘negative foundation myth’ for European integration.

Removed• The third part (Towards an informed historical consciousness in Europe) seeks a well-informed historical consciousness in Europe and outlines possible avenues that will achieve this objective.

Removed• The fourth and last part (Outlook: the legacy of the past and the EU’s future) embraces the idea of a new ‘culture of remembering’ that nurtures historical consciousness based on shared European values and practices.

Removed1. Dealing with Europe’s past as a risk and an opportunity

RemovedAs Jacques Delors correctly recalled on several occasions, European citizens “cannot fall in love with the single market” (1989). In order to develop a sense of a common belonging, work on collective memory is indispensable, since collective memory is a central aspect of group identity being formed and strengthened.

RemovedThere is not, however, one particular European collective memory. The memories of the nations and peoples that compose the EU are filled with wars, conflicts and disputes. For the formation of a collective memory, we therefore need to indulge in a process of Vergangenheitsbewältigung (‘coming to terms with/working on the past’), notably to redress the past in a critical and meaningful way both at Member States and EU level.

Removed2. Politics of the past in the European Union – a critical assessment

RemovedIn historical perspectives, we should not consider Europe as a homogeneous civilisation and geopolitical space, as Norbert Elias observed even in 1939. What must be the ultimate aim of European memory policies is not to develop an imagined sense of a shared past, but to have a clear direction for the future of the EU and to strengthen a common sense of European belonging.

RemovedGiorgio Agamben rightly asserts that if the idea of Europe has any meaning, it consists of the fact that Europeans “can gain access to their truth only by means of confrontation with the past, only by settling accounts with their history”.

RemovedUndoubtedly, the EU has made conscious efforts to deal with Europe’s difficult past(s); it is involved in undertaking memory work and dedicates substantial resources to that aim.

RemovedWhile the past is often referenced in official EU discourses, these ‘difficult pasts’ have as yet not been addressed, however, at European level in a sufficiently broad and reflective manner.

Removed3. Towards an informed historical consciousness in Europe

RemovedThe path towards an informed historical consciousness in Europe starts with avoiding building European collective memory solely on one single negative foundation myth, since this hinders the critical examination of the past.

RemovedThe European Union is a community of destiny (Schicksalsgemeinschaft), and it should be understood as such and not as a community of one shared collective memory. This is how the ‘historical journey’ of Europeans needs to be seen.

RemovedHere lies the importance of historical consciousness: it is an adequate tool that helps us to conceptualise how we comprehend and relate to history; it helps to acknowledge the historicity of our circumstances. In other words, it assists in developing an ability to interpret and recognise the past in the form of history. Historical consciousness enhances the ability to utilise experiences and to make sense of contemporary situations and identifications. ‘History’ is not the sum of past facts, but it is the meaning produced after conceptualising and working through the facts. Arguably, history is ‘self-knowledge’.

Removed4. Outlook: the legacy of the past and the EU’s future

RemovedMemory work at EU level must not be used as a form of soft power to express political positions or defend political interests. Rather, thinking about and working with history is a form of orientation in relation to the present and the future. Hence, the main purpose of studying history should be the formation of historical consciousness as both a collective and individual capacity.

RemovedOverall, the report espouses the ideal of a ‘culture of remembering’ and historical consciousness that is based on shared European values and practices in approaching the past, yet at the same time avoids any simplification of history.