The past is often a source of conflicting interpretations rather than easy consensus. Still, historical identity is central to relations between states and people in the here and now. In our diverse European society, we cannot escape history when seeking to understand the present in our search for a common future.
Understanding European history, like other histories, involves a continuous process of construction and deconstruction, writing, and rewriting. At the same time, as the history of the European continent is marked by the constant movement of cultures and populations, diving into it might well offer insights into how people in Europe interacted and lived together in the past.
We believe that opening up a space to engage with the dissonant and often conflictual nature of European history is the first step in discovering common positions or overcoming divisions while acknowledging existing differences. European histories are often seen as dividing the continent. With this project, a call for innovative ideas and projects should contribute to the understanding of young people regarding the complexity and multiplicity of European histories, and therefore better understand the continent itself.
