The urgent need to connect
Andrea Despot
Culture, no matter the facet or understanding of it, cannot be experienced or merely exist through one person alone. Exactly the same applies to democracy and politics, in particular in Europe. Alone, one is lost. Therefore, culture and democracy are closely intertwined — and influence each other. The power of both lies in their connecting nature as main element. Cultural engagement and democratic processes similarly rely on participation, proactivity and exchange. Connecting is a core feature that shapes Europe.
The European Academy Berlin builds on this notion of interconnectedness. We bring together people from all over; connect diverse figures from different cultural and professional backgrounds. We strongly support and promote the development of such close links and cherish the power of exchange and collaboration. The Academy, being a place of coming together, is built on precisely this idea. Creating an understanding of Europe through an approach of engagement, we foster a vital civil society in culture and political processes — ultimately contributing to the much needed connections in Europe and beyond.
Therefore, the upcoming European elections will determine the climate for cultural engagement and set the political tone for the next years — and will shape the way we can and must connect. The outcome of the elections will form the future in which we act. No matter the results, it will be another call to connect closer in order to react on upcoming challenges. The intertwined understanding of culture and democracy and its underlying notion revive Winston Churchill’s call for action: “Let Europe arise.”
Dr. Andrea Despot is, as of Summer 2017, Director of the European Academy Berlin and the managing member on the executive board of the body maintaining the EAB, the Verein (association) known as ‘Europäische Akademie Berlin e.V.’ She represents the Academy in external affairs and to the various organs of the association. In her capacity as director of the Academy, she is responsible for coordinating and directing theoretical, educational and administrative matters in all the various fields at the Academy.
