Aliens who have online media as their only source of info must assume that Southern Europe is doomed: sovereign debt, economic stagnation, rocketing unemployment, high taxes combined with generalized tax evasion. No light at the end the tunnel – only the Germans to keep the situation under control with the help of the EU and IMF.
But today those aliens have to change their mind. Even Southern Europe can generate successful stories, such as the Basque case. After decades of conflict, terrorism and economic stagnation 30 years ago, the Basque country found its stride and its course and embraced a balanced development model which combines innovation, solidarity, and sustainability built on the respect of its unique cultural identity.
When in the ’90s most of the Western countries dismantled their manufacturing industries, the Basques reconverted theirs. They didn’t follow the guidelines of economists and financial advisers, instead paving their own way like stubborn, proud pirates.
They invested in the capabilities of people, developed a knowledge economy from scratch, and celebrated the new era convincing the Americans to bring the Guggenheim Museum to Bilbao.
The Basque country is one of the wealthiest regions in Europe. Despite the crisis it is not only able to keep its exports high and unemployment well below the average for the rest of the country. But it’s even investing to get the most out of globalisation.
Besides opening new public libraries, today the Agirre Lehendakaria Center for Political and Social Studies was launched as a joint venture between the Basque, Columbia and Mason Universities and funded by the main Basque bank and high-tech company.
The center is the brain child of Juan-José Ibarretxe (the guy in the picture) former president of the Regional government at the time of its rebirth. And it’s named after José Antonio Agirre, the first President of the Basque country who fought against Franco, took refuge at the Columbia University in NY and embodied the aspirations of a people during the dictatorship.
The centre will research into what made the Basque successful and share the secret of its success with other places in need across the world.
I accepted the invitation to join the centre as senior associate because I see in the Basque case the vindication for all my work on civil society engagement and a triple bottom line economy. It’s also a blue print for the reform of the EU and other European governments starting with Italy. Beppe Grillo should pay a visit together with the future Italian executive and the European Commission. This is a proved alternative to austerity.
