Berlusconi and his scandals have not always been the iconic image of Italy. In my childhood, Don Camillo and Peppone shaped my idea of Italian society.
The story takes place in a little town on the bank of Po, the river in my region. We are in the aftermath of the Second Word War. Peoples’ lives are driven by the rivalry between two factions: they aren’t the Montecchi and Capuleti this time, but Catholics and Communists; respectively led by Father Camillo, head of the local parish, and Peppone, the red Mayor. Always fighting, each and every clash has an happy ending with Don Camillo and Peppone joining forces to face the shared challenge – for instance a flood or a fascist revival. Public good takes priority over factional interests.
I like to think that Europe is just a larger town of Don Camillo and Peppone, perhaps with more interest groups but the same priority: our shared future.
I spent last week in Czech Republic. A schedule full of civil society events connected to the Czech Presidency of the EU. In the same week i had the opportunity to exchange with the current Don Camillo and Peppone: Pierre Morel and Sir Bubb.
Pierre Morel is the special representative of the EU in Georgia. He has been involved with European integration all of his life. He’s a philosopher and believes in the moral nature of the European project. Quoting Ricoeur at the end of his speech, he defined the European Union as a “universal mission of reconciliation”. He referred to Nelson Mandela as a leader who is part of the same mission, meaning that this is not just neo-European imperialism, but universal values expressed on the European project. Here we are within the French tradition of the Déclaration des droits de l’Homme et du citoyen. A traditions of values and ideals mostly forgotten at the Brussels court.
On the other hand, we have Stephen – the Sir Bubb I previously introduced in my blog. I was at a conference on the crisis and sustainability of the sector with him where he claimed “this crisis is too good to miss it”. Naturally, he doesn’t preach the demise of the West as followers of Spengler might be willing to read. I guess he doesn’t even know Spengler or any German philosopher, and he gets board if you start talking about European integration and global governance. Stephen is not a philosopher, but a campaigner – a labour activist who has always fought for the third way. This crisis is an opportunity for radical changes and he doesn’t want to miss it. It’s an opportunity especially for the third sector to promote internal reforms and gain a seat at the table of the big guys. Europe is just the right place to start.
I can’t see how we can reconcile the Pierre Morels and Sir Bubbs in Europe yet but this our mission if we want a better shared future. Europe is a multiplicity of ideas and interests which has progressed but unsteadily not found an agreement or compromise since 1948. We move on but we don’t know where or what we are heading towards. But, for sure, united we are stronger. Is this just a remake of Obama’s “Yes We Can”?
Another remake to stimulate your intellect: re-wording Churchill’s quote on democracy, it has been said that the European Union is the worst form of international government except all the others that have been tried.
