Session 1
Multiculturalism in Europe
BIOG. | PAPER
Dr. Mario Nordio
(DRAFT: Not to be cited without the consent of the speaker. This draft transcription has yet to be approved by the speaker.)
Thanks for the invitation. I do agree with what Professor Allievi and Sami Zubaida said about the culture of cult and our subject. At the same time I should say that wars usually shape the post-war cultures. In the 60s for instance, in Italy some girls using a supposedly American accent was fashionable. But English was not a lone language at the schools and universities. The culture of shock, of fascist regime and the Second World War was still acting out its consequences in the middle term. So referring ourselves to September the 11th should be seriously considered. Also I do agree with what Eugene Rogan said and what Sir Marrack said about new elements, new contexts that should be taken into consideration in what we will see in this conference. And one element I found aside Professor Allievi and also the Minister's paper is this apocalyptical atmosphere that not only the media but events brought to us in the last 13 months. And on the side there is an apocalyptical political approach right now. No matter if it originates in the East or the West, such an approach finds it necessary to project itself into an undeterminate time. And simultaneously, to act as if the time was elapsing in one day. It is rather difficult to establish if such a projection would correct itself within Europe and in the modern day. We have to decide if it can be an appropriate cultural instrument for a complex society, an interacting society with the East and the West. I do agree with the problem that is inside the categories of multiculturalism are more problematic than assimilation, if assimilation is a category, which I don't think so. If I have to think about multiculturalism I would think about a sedimentary system and a long-term process. A long-term process. With its roots in the past and reasonable projection in the future. It does not appear to be choice you can learn in a political laboratory or in a cabinet. Also the Muslim population wasn't planned in Europe, but the result was a faster process leading to diversity. In a peculiar way to separate cultures in a no-mans politically correct system, none of the systems have attained assimilation as a result. So assimilation should be wiped out. In conclusion, assimilation is not in the chromosomes of the democracies. Second point, and then I give it to the floor, I do consider and time and intensity of experiences as a value. I am deeply convinced that the sedimentary and connected intensity of relationships and the recognition of each other culture, problematically expressed, as Allievi points out. The connection with culture is by itself so I would stress some elements of intellectual, social, cultural activities in the Muslim area and in civil society. And in so-called Muslim countries' civil society. Of course, our world has to face it, but if it does ignore it we achieve the result of longitudanalism and introspective Europe that would not be a wise choice at all.
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