Culture, Cities and Identity in Europe

The European Union is a beacon of peace, security and human rights. It looks to be a space of exchange and democratic debate, of openness and creative possibilities. Nonetheless, this study is commissioned in a context of falling popularity and a crisis of the perceived legitimacy of the European Union. Increasing nationalistic tendencies, exploited and encouraged by political movements promoting short term gain, are seen across the continent. Key values are questioned and viewed differently between European countries, but debate and exchange of these values is often lacking or avoided. In parallel, a fragmentation of the social fabric of our societies leads to a lack of participation and growing isolation. In a European Union aiming to find structural responses to these and other developments and challenges on political, social and economic levels, questions of culture, cities and identity hold key roles in finding solutions towards contemporary challenges. In view of numerous open questions and possible perspectives, the European Economic and Social Committee commissioned the present study on "Culture, Cities and Identity in Europe".