Unity Through Diversity Conference speech

Speech by Graham Watson on Wed 5th Jan 2005

Welcome to the ALDE seminar "Unity through Diversity". We have chosen this subject for today's conference because we believe that Liberalism and multiculturalism can be reconciled, however seemingly great the current difficulties right across the European Union. Immigration and integration have become major issues on the political agenda in all of our member states. Though hitherto integration has been essentially a competence for member states, the new draft Constitution gives EU law a role in promoting integration.

Integration is a subject of particular concern for Liberals and Democrats. It is no coincidence that we have twice in recent years bid for the chair of Parliament's justice and home affairs committee, nor that our commitment to and understanding of the issues have ensured our bids were successful. The role of Liberals and Democrats in promoting successful multicultural societies is widely recognised. Indeed, the world's best integrated multicultural industrial country -Canada- has enjoyed a Liberal government for most of the past 100 years.

If there is one aspect of 'Old Europe' that puts the EU to shame it is our failure to eradicate the prejudice and persecution which contributed to more than 300 years of net emigration from our continent. Now that economic imperatives require us to encourage immigration we find our citizens too often ill-prepared, ill educated and deeply reluctant to embrace new arrivals. Accordingly to the Eurobarometer, just one in five of our citizens is 'actively tolerant' towards immigrants, encouraging their social integration: twice that number is intolerant or ambivalent towards new arrivals. We cannot and must not allow Europe to become a "cold house" for immigrants.

Nor need we. The creation of societies which are liberal and multicultural, where common institutions are shared by those of different origin, ranks among the greatest achievements of human civilisation. Recent events in all our countries may serve to remind us how fragile is this achievement. Nor can any Liberal or Democrat deny that there are problems to address and work to be done to persuade those of all backgrounds to embrace the core values which form the foundation of liberal society. Some of these values relate to political and legal process. Others are moral values such as tolerance, free speech and belief in the equal value of each person.

We are right to demand from all comers an acceptance of Liberal values democratically enshrined in law. For Liberals, rights belong first and foremost to individuals. No group right can justify disregard for the rights of women, for example. For newcomers to learn a country's common language is essential. Active participation in society, in the institutions of democracy and civil society is the right way to provide a forum for debate. This is not the "Leitkultur" sought by Angela Merkel's Christian democrats in Germany, but a recognition of overarching, timeless, universal values.

Yet all persons -as individuals or in groups- have the right to live free from fear of attack, harassment or discrimination. Abuse of free speech to advocate any of these must be actively opposed. Indeed, even as we defend freedom of expression and encourage all sections of society to recognise its importance, we must act against those who would use such freedom to destroy it.

I expect that today our conference speakers will address three dimensions of integration: political representation, participation in the labour market or in the education of children and the cultural meeting of minds. To me these are interlinked and inseparable elements of integration. I am grateful to all our speakers for coming here today to share with us their expertise and insight into these matters.

The south East Asian earthquake and our reaction to it serve to remind us of the global village nature of the planet we share. Nowhere in that debate do we hear distinctions between Muslim, Christian, Buddhist or Jew. Indeed, the sense of solidarity engendered by shared grief and shock is testimony to humankind's capacity to rise above such distinctions. So allow me to share with you today two areas of concern.

The first is that when memories fade as the newspapers and television turn their attentions elsewhere, western foreign policies will once again be reviled in the developing world for the self interest and the double standards they too often betray. Support for tyrannies as a trade-off for cheap oil or military bases or co-operation in the 'war against terror' is not a strategy but a short term and unsustainable use of force majeure by the powerful against the dispossessed. Unless we grasp the opportunity provided by the tsunamis to change our approach to aid, to debt and to trade in weapons, many even in our own societies will feel alienated, insulted and the victims of cultural condescension.

The second is that the secular state which Liberals and Democrats fought so long and hard to achieve is in danger of falling prey to the expression of an intolerant secularism. I believe a profound and wide-ranging debate is required on the role and rights of religions in a secular liberal democracy. We were right to keep a reference to 'Christian heritage' out of the EU's new Constitution. But open, transparent dialogue by our institutions of government with churches and religious communities should be welcomed. In a Liberal and democratic society, such activity is as valid as antennae of business, trades unions or civil society making representations.

I fear that a new secularism is in the ascendant which is far from a dispassionate, unprejudiced intellectual exercise. Those deemed not to hold the politically-correct views of the moment are too often vilified and expected to remain silent or stay out of public life. True Liberal notions such as tolerance and diversity are cast aside. Such secularism, masquerading as pluralism, is no liberal value.

Nor will it assist us in the integration of Turkey into the European Union. The debate over Turley's EU destiny has led some to question the EU's sense of identity. Yet although Prime Minister Erdogan's Justice and Development Party has a genealogy which can be traced to Islam, since coming to power it has pressed hard for liberal and democratic reforms. The AKP shows us that a party with an Islamic religious heritage can take the lead in boosting economic, social and political freedom, just as Christian democrats were sometimes advocates of similar reform in Christian societies. In the words of Mr Erdogan "A political party cannot have a religion, only individuals can... religion is so supreme that it cannot be politically exploited."

The banning of headscarves in Turkish universities and in government buildings causes tension, just as the banning of headscarves and other religious symbols in French schools is an emotive topic. Yet tension between the secular state and the religions of its citizens can also be creative. In any case, it keeps all parties on their toes.

Different EU member states have sought different formulae for managing such tensions. None has worked entirely well, though all have their advantages. For Liberals and Democrats, an acceptance of a multicultural society must lie at the heart of a policy of unity in diversity, of shared values beyond different individual beliefs. And underlying this must be active promotion of tolerance. A racist taxi driver is a minor social irritant. A racist policeman or other public official is a major social hazard.

I hope today's conference will explore these different approaches and identify a Liberal and Democratic approach to current challenges. And I hope it will do so in the spirit of solidarity which we see in the response to Asia's natural disaster.

Indeed, if I ask you to forgive me now for departing from this conference for a short while it is because I must attend the formal ceremony of the Union's citizens to show solidarity towards the victims of the disaster, whatever their race, colour or creed. I hope to re-join your discussions before long. I am convinced that today's conference will be of value to Liberals and Democrats.