EUROPEAN COOPERATION in the Digital Media Age Martin Opatrný

Agenda why is it necessary to cooperate within the EU (cultural challenges and threats) multiculturalism in the history and the present the role of ICT in multicultural and media age values and principles of multicultural cooperation in the EU Martin Opatrný

We are different…

EU cooperation Culture (Latin „culture", lit. "cultivation") ≠ only painting, literature or sculpture… Culture is human doing, being and thinking! …is a complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, law, morals, customs and any other capabilities and habits that a person has acquired as a member of society. (Tylor, E.B.: Primitive Culture, New York, 1958.) Martin Opatrný

EU cooperation What is the EU and its culture? Europe is clearly the continent of culture % European countries are too diverse to speak of a common continental culture……………………………………….……………..53% There is no specific European culture, only a global western culture which is, for example, the same in Europe and the US………….……32% European Cultural Values, Eurobarometer, 2007 Martin Opatrný

EU cooperation? Martin Opatrný CHINA INDIA EU USA …EU + USA

EU cooperation Why? economic and economical, military, political, …and cultural reasons: –heterogeneous environment (lingustically, religiously, nationally etc.) –psychosocial differences within particular cultural territories –different cultural roots, a struggle for freedom –essentially identical cultural norms, values and ideas = there is no other option but to cooperate! Martin Opatrný

EU cooperation If not? cultural meltdown and dissolution in global culture…decline and decay of morality no EU country can compete alone against culturally stronger areas (China/India…) …etc. Martin Opatrný S. Huntington The Clash of Civilizations

Multiculturalism Consequence or cause of globalization? -the word itself first appeared in The New York Herald -it already exists for thousands of years…Ancient Egypt, Roman Empire, Ottoman Empire, Austrian- Hungarian monarchy… -multicultural ≠ multinational -e.g. Czechs and Slovaks = other nationality the same culture Martin Opatrný

Multiculturalism Multiculturalism/pluralism can be an (dangerous) opportunity not threat… The challenges of multicultural environment: -m-multiculturalism and terrorism -m-multiculturalism and communitarianism -m-multiculturalism and xenophobia -m-multiculturalism and integration or assimilation -m-multiculturalism and …tolerance and responsibility Martin Opatrný

Multiculturalism Multiculturalism/pluralism can be an (dangerous) opportunity not threat… The advantages of multicultural environment: -e-experience, experience and experience! -w-we can share knowledge and learn from each other -m-multicultural team has more potential to perform tasks -d-different points of view can better help to solve problems The best thing about teamwork is that you have others on your side... Martin Opatrný

The role of ICT in Media Age -i-indispensable, irreplaceable, irreversible… Martin Opatrný By Vladimir Jiranek …one day the internet totally collapsed and palefaces died of starvation.

The role of ICT in Media Age ICT is only a tool…to help or harm… …only human decides. ICT -a-accelerate and shrink the current world -a-a tool for creating or forming virtual reality -a-allow to work from anywhere and any time -s-save time, save money, …creativity -b-bodyguard or big brother? Martin Opatrný The Great Chinese (FIRE)WALL

The role of ICT in Media Age ICT – new trends, challenges and threats -completely changed communication and way of thinking -EU or eEU? (e-government, e-learning, e-health, e-business…) -positive impact of the econ. crisis – green ICT -new cybercriminality -concerns about security and privacy Martin Opatrný

Multi-culti cooperation in EU Values and principles -ICT as an irreplaceable tool for cooperation and future development and progress in the EU -cultural principles and values are crucial for any other EU enlargement -minority cultures have stronger motivation to maintain their own habits in the mainstream society than members of the mainstream society themselves -multi-culti cooperation is not only about tolerance, but also about responsibility …it is not enough to translate we must understand each other! Martin Opatrný

We are the same… We are the people!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR KIND ATTENTION… MARTIN OPATRNY Advisor on Communication, Public Relations/Public Affairs