The Nordic Arena for a Caring Eurostyle takes Passion and Intellect

This is in fact what Maurizio Ferrera suggests in his discussion paper on "The Caring Dimension of Europe", a handout to the convening EU ministers at Hampton Court recently: "To make it more visible and more vigorous" he suggests - and this is an important point - the focus should be on children who are our promise and the key to any forthcoming European future. Indeed so. This is foresight. And more. But there is a far distance to cross until we (and especially the children) approach the rosy playing garden of the Northern Eden promised by Joakim Palme, in "Why the Scandinavian Experience is Revelvant for the Reform of ESM". Perhaps I am wrong and utopia is here. I need to return to that issue.

My title is a compilation. It essentially states that The present Nordic Arena for a Caring Eurostyle would take more Passion and Intellect than we currently see to convince our neighbors as the most widely espoused European model par préférance. A synergy, yes, composed from the great Eurostyle paper by Johan P Olsen at the Oslo ARENA and the symposium on Passion and Intellect for Björn Wittrock 60th birthday at SCASSS in Uppsala. I do not draw so many news from "The Nordic Model - a Recipe for European Success?" by Carlos B Schubert and Hans Martens at the Brussels policy think tank (EPC), perhaps somewhat more conventional as a report of the issue at stake on the agenda for ministers at Hampton Court. Perhaps I need to reconsider this, elaborate my opinion and come back to it also.

A few notes from the Dag Hammarskjöld Symposium at the Royal Library in Stockholm and briefly on the talk by Chris Patten at Stockholm School of Economics on invitation by SIPRI:

Contributors at the Hammarskjöld centennary recently pointed to the lack of great leadership in our time. My interpretation is that it is getting increasingly hard to find people who are able and willing to reconcile (on a personal plane) the inherent incompatibility between adherent loyalty to populist ideals and the sacrifice required on the prefabricated career ladder. The prospect of becoming chopped up by news hunters who feed the roaring media beast with fresh meat does not attract everyone. There is a void of expressive ideals that manifest what people are capable of feeling. We suffer a deficit of emotional mobilization which means we cultivate a denial of feelings- it can be seen as a sign or symptom of the disease that afflicts Europe. Something that moves her out of her comfort zone is lacking. Thus her lethargy. Making policy an attractive career for talents seems to be the really great challenge for society today.

Humans are not machines and physiology is more complex than mechanics. To convince yourselves, take a look at the richness of their underlying models and patterns of interaction. Neither do we remain in the stoneage. This is part of what I meant to say there, in Symphony for Peace for choir and orchestra with a poem from Markings (W.H. Auden's translation of Vägmärken) by Dag Hammarkjöld. Someone might have noticed that. And understood the significance of his Credo among other self-explanitory implications needless to state.

After Chris Patten's brilliantly focused lecture on European peace policy I asked him about what a lack of common values might mean to the cohesion of a European identity. Just in the event of increased pressure during some of the many possible global crises that might turn up around next corner this might be a relevant question. He replied "I believe we need to preach tolerance". I agree, at least as an external policy in reference to the issue of Turkey, but persist in worrying about the internal shakiness of any European union that fails to reinforce and cultivate its very ground. It needs to get more anchored in the cultural identity and values that we share. My stance is quite pragmatic, and, at this point, with a glance at the viability and stress resilience which is the true test of the whole EU project. And the fear among our leaders to respond to the need for a much more central and constitutive role of cultural values at the bottom of the continental construct. That is not incompatible with the open foreign policy that Chris Patten advocates. Foreign countries need to get to know clearly what Europe stands for, what in fact the core European values are, so they can position themselves in relation to their own strategies (and relate to those of ours).

It might appear as a surprise to you but the choice of Beethoven 9th symphony as the European hymn might well prove to be seen as the best decision made until today by the Brussels bureaucracy. We need a stronger Europe where people feel eager to mobilize their passion for the core ideal that formed us. If they share it they'll defend it. Chris Patten thinks it is impossible or, at least will not take place in his lifetime. Neither mine. I think it would be possible. With passion and intellect. A rare combination indeed. And a badly needed antivirus against an epidemic that arrived already long ago.

Part of the key to the problem might not, however, reside so far from Oxford as one might have thought. Don't forget that sources of cultural inspiration are not needed only as entertainment but can also be converted to energy and mobilized as resources when building imaginary architectures such as symphonic organisations. I guess Beethoven knew something that the administrators of Europe would need someone to help them understand down there in Brussels. To learn to listen. It is the real art among arts, also between humans. And interpret what you hear sensitively and with sense. To feel the harmony out of a web of voices, a mark of quality in the chorus of all societal integration.

Chris Patten talked convincingly and with a warm emphasis about his working relation with Anna Lindh, about her commitment and devotion to get things done. Until next, let me consult the bookshelves of the new Anna Lindh library in Stockholm to see if I find any variations on this theme. I think the answers are more likely to appear on the processing side because it all hinges on the way we bring our observations into context, integrate our views across programs and disciplines, and anchor our ideas in values while attending to their roots in both ourselves and others. In their lives and in mine. Just to make that key identification happen. We miss her. Once she liked my idea, but had little time, due to her obligations on an full agenda. This was a sign of her true dedication. Thank you.