In times of the deepest crisis Europe has suffered since the Second World War and its aftermath it is worth to remember that. We are not responsible for the mistakes of the past but if we do not act, if we do not speak up the mistakes of the present and the future will be ours. We have come to take the peace and the freedoms we grew up with for granted. All this will be lost if we do not start tak
ing responsibility. The young generation must form a new understanding and feeling of solidarity. The problems of young people in many member states are not something far away. They should concern young people everywhere in Europe. We do not have ready solutions at hand. Being European does not mean to be conservative or socialist or liberal. It will never be perfect. We honour the foundations laid by generations. But it is on us to start building on them. There is – as always – a long and winding road ahead of us. We might fail, but we have to try. If we succeed Europe will be a force for peace and good in the world. The current crisis determines how many people perceive Europe. They seek solutions in regressing to nationalism. But the idea of nationalism is yesterday’s fashion. It fails to inspire and fits only the frightened who duck for cover. Ideas for tomorrow can only be European. Solutions can only be European. They say Europe is not democratic. But participation comes from participating. Democracy means getting involved in politics. It means raising one’s voice in public. We are entitled to nothing we are not ready to fight for. It is time not only to fight against some things, but to actually fight for something. They say there is no European public. Then it is high time to start creating one. We are already connected in a way no generation was before us. They had to wait for letters in the mail, pay ridiculously high phone bills for international calls. They got held up at borders and had to apply for work permits and visas. We move and communicate freely across borders. They say there is no European identity. Well, there is. We are proud and passionate Europeans. We love the countries we grew up in but we are European patriots. We are born European.
