Impossible is not a European idea

Europe has always had its fair share of cynics and sceptics questioning the very idea of the European project.

For centuries “peacetime” in Europe corresponded to that period between wars in which countries re-armed and re-organised in preparation for the next inevitable conflict. So it was not hard to dismiss a set of highly idealistic post-war European leaders experimenting with new ideas that were to bind ancient foes in ways that would make war between them a political and material impossibility. “It will never work!” they said.

But then it did.

In recognition of this extraordinary feat, the European Union will this week receive the Nobel Peace Prize for its contribution over six decades “to the advancement of peace and reconciliation, democracy and human rights in Europe” and “for transforming most of Europe from a continent of war to a continent of peace.”

It is a prize for the post-war generation who embraced and breathed life into the European project, as well as for the 500 million present-day EU citizens who continue to shape the project through the democratic process. Indeed with peace secured European citizens have pressed their governments to pursue and eventually achieve the world’s highest standards in the fields of human rights, environmental sustainability and social protection. The European project unleashed an enormous peace dividend but again citizens and civil society ensured that rather than turn inwards Europe would become itself a global force for peace, the most generous donor of development assistance and the world’s leader in tackling climate change.

The Presidents of the main EU Institutions Herman Van Rompuy, Jose Manuel Barroso and Martin Shulz will receive the prize for the EU. But they have chosen to do so accompanied by four young people from Spain, Italy, Poland and Malta purposely selected to represent the future of Europe. In their view:

“The 2012 Nobel Peace prize is not only a recognition of the European Union’s past achievements: it also looks to the future. Our task is always to inspire the next generation of Europeans. That is why we want Europe’s youth, who are inheriting a continent of peace and who will be responsible for Europe’s future, with us in Oslo.”

Some have questioned the timing of the award of the Peace Prize given the financial and economic challenges now facing the continent. Nevertheless I count myself amongst those who have suggested that the timing could not have been better. For while the Nobel award is a source of pride and a reminder of our responsibility to protect a hard-fought achievement, I believe its greatest value is as a source of inspiration.

It is potent reminder to young and old alike that great ideas and hard work really can change the world. That laying down arms is but the first step to peace and that ordinary people have an extraordinary ability to forgive and build a common future with their former enemies.

2012 has also been a good year for peace in the Philippines which has reached an important milestone with the signature of the Framework Agreement for Mindanao. Just as with the European project the courageous decisions of leaders are crucial — but equally important is their ability to convince citizens of their choices since only they can give life to their ideals.

And just as in Europe there will be the detractors and there will be the spoilers. It is therefore incumbent on Filipinos and Europeans alike to pursue the higher ideals of peace of Alfred Nobel, to convince and confound their critics, and to show that “impossible” is neither a European nor a Filipino idea.