Solidarity: a fundamental Value and Principle in Contemporary Societies and a Suspension Bridge in the Future European Union...

Solidarity is a suspension bridge that connects different shores and enables a safe passage of ideas, resources, and aid between individuals, societies, and countries.

Without the intertwined cables of cooperation at all levels—economic, social, and political—the bridge collapses, leaving each person alone in the face of difficulties.

In a more cohesive and secure European Union of tomorrow, every state can and must contribute to maintaining strong suspension bridges between individuals, citizens, societies, and countries. Only in this way can the Union as a whole continue to weather storms and move forward toward a future of progress and well-being, stronger and more united.

Solidarity is a universal value—it manifests itself in mutual aid between individuals, groups, and nations. It takes many forms, from cooperation among community members tackling common difficulties, to supporting the most vulnerable, and even to large-scale international initiatives for peace and development.

Solidarity is not just a value and an ethical principle, but also an essential element for social cohesion and the construction of a sustainable and fair future.

Within the European Union, solidarity has always been a fundamental pillar embeded in treaties, from the Treaty of Rome (1957) to the Treaty of Lisbon (2007). This principle takes shape in different areas, including economic, social, environmental, and political dimensions.

In economic terms, it is realized through mechanisms such as cohesion funds, which aim to reduce differences between European regions.

On a social level, it translates into policies of inclusion, equity, and the protection of fundamental rights.

In the environmental sphere, it is reflected in the shared commitment to tackle climate change and advance the ecological transition.

The value and principle of solidarity has been particularly evident during times of crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, when the EU adopted the "Next Generation EU" recovery plan to support the most affected countries. Similarly, in the face of humanitarian emergencies and global challenges, the European Union promotes cooperation among Member States and international partners, to ensure stability, fairness, security, and sustainable development.

Education, particularly schools, plays a key role in promoting the value of solidarity. Schools have the responsibility of shaping conscious and active citizens. Cooperation between educational institutions in different countries, such as Italy and Slovenia, represents a concrete example of how solidarity can take shape through joint educational projects, cultural exchanges, and shared initiatives that strengthen the sense of belonging to a Europe "united in Diversity".

Encouraging dialogue and collaboration among students, teachers, mentors, and educators from neighboring nations means not only building bridges between cultures, but also developing a model of European citizenship based on mutual respect and shared support.

Ultimately, solidarity is not just a moral value, but an active principle that guides the political and institutional choices of the EU. Promoting solidarity through education, training, and cross-border collaboration is essential in strengthening unity among European peoples and building a future of greater fairness and shared well-being.

Solidarietà: Valore e Principio fondamentale nelle Società contemporanee e Ponte Sospeso nell’Unione Europea del Futuro...

Solidarietà è un ponte sospeso che collega sponde diverse e rende possibile il passaggio sicuro: di idee, risorse e aiuti tra Persone, Società, Paesi... Senza i cavi intrecciati della cooperazione a tutti i livelli - economico, sociale e politico - il ponte crolla e lascia ciascuno/a isolato/a di fronte alle difficoltà. 

Nell'Unione Europea più coesa e sicura di domani, ogni Stato può e deve contribuire a mantenere saldi i ponti sospesi tra Individui/Cittadini e Cittadine, Società, Paesi diversi: solo così l’intera Unione potrà ancora e sempre attraversare tempeste, e continuare ad avanzare verso un futuro di progresso e ben-essere, più forte e unito. 

Solidarietà è Valore universale: si manifesta nell’aiuto reciproco tra individui, gruppi e nazioni. Essa si esprime in molteplici forme: dalla cooperazione tra membri di una comunità per affrontare difficoltà comuni, al sostegno ai più vulnerabili, fino alle grandi iniziative internazionali per la pace e lo sviluppo. 

Solidarietà non è solo Valore e Principio etico, ma elemento essenziale per la coesione sociale e la costruzione di un futuro sostenibile ed equo.

Nell’ambito dell’Unione Europea, la Solidarietà è da sempre pilastro fondamentale sancito dai Trattati, a partire dal Trattato di Roma (1957) fino al Trattato di Lisbona (2007): Principio che si declina in diversi ambiti, dall'economia, all'ambito sociale, ambientale e politico. A livello economico, si concretizza attraverso strumenti come i fondi di coesione, che mirano a ridurre le disparità tra le regioni europee. Sul piano sociale, si traduce in politiche di inclusione, equità, e tutela dei diritti fondamentali, mentre a livello ambientale si manifesta con l’impegno comune nell'affrontare le crisi dovute ai cambiamenti climatici e nella transizione ecologica.

Il Valore/Principio di Solidarietà nella pratica quotidiana è stato particolarmente visibile in momenti di crisi, come durante la pandemia da COVID-19, quando l’UE ha adottato il piano di ripresa "Next Generation EU" per sostenere i Paesi più colpiti. Allo stesso modo, di fronte alle emergenze umanitarie e alle sfide globali, l’Unione Europea promuove la cooperazione tra Stati membri e con i partner internazionali per garantire stabilità ed equità, sicurezza e sviluppo sostenibile.

Un ruolo chiave nella diffusione del Valore della Solidarietà è svolto dall’educazione, in particolare dalla Scuola: la Scuola ha la responsabilità di formare Cittadini e Cittadine consapevoli e attivi/e. La collaborazione tra Istituti scolastici di Paesi diversi, come Italia e Slovenia, rappresenta un esempio concreto di come la Solidarietà possa tradursi in progetti educativi condivisi, scambi culturali e iniziative congiunte che rafforzano il senso di appartenenza a un’Europa unita nella Diversità. 

Favorire il dialogo e la cooperazione tra studenti e studentesse, insegnanti, formatori, educatori di nazioni confinanti significa non solo costruire ponti tra culture, ma anche sviluppare un modello di Cittadinanza europea basato sul rispetto reciproco e sul sostegno comune.

In definitiva, la Solidarietà non è solo un Valore morale, ma un Principio attivo che guida le scelte politiche e istituzionali dell’UE: promuovere la Solidarietà attraverso l’educazione, la formazione e la collaborazione transfrontaliera è essenziale per rafforzare l’unità tra i popoli europei e costruire un futuro di maggiore equità e benessere condiviso.

Q. How does the EU respond to crisis situations - e.g. pandemics, natural disasters, and migration - and how could it improve Solidarity among Member States?

The EU responds very well to natural disasters, as there is an aid mechanism that includes both teams and machinery, and financial assistance is covered by the Solidarity Fund. There is currently a discussion about increasing this fund. However, responses to other unforeseen events, such as pandemics and migration, have been much weaker. Each country handled these issues in its own way.

Regarding the current security crisis (the war in Ukraine, policy changes in the U.S., and events in Gaza), a strategy is currently being developed. The EU’s greatest strength is its unity. When this unity is lacking (for example, Hungary and Slovakia are pursuing different policies), everything becomes much more difficult, and the EU becomes more susceptible to external influences.

Q. Do all Member States contribute equally to Solidarity or are some more burdened than others? How does the EU promote a fair redistribution of burdens between richer and poorer countries?

Slovenia is currently (still) classified as a net recipient, meaning it implements cohesion policy. In simple terms, this means receiving European funds for building infrastructure and other projects because Slovenia is considered a less developed region. However, once Slovenia reaches a level of development that no longer qualifies for such support, it will become a net contributor. Since 2004, Slovenia has received significantly more than it has contributed, just like other cohesion countries.

Q. What role does Solidarity play in reducing social inequalities within the EU, and how can the EU more effectively reduce inequalities and improve the living conditions of its citizens?

Countries will never be entirely equal. To put it plainly, Greece will never be Sweden, as they have fundamentally different mentalities, climates, and other characteristics. However, the EU significantly reduces these differences, as less developed countries have closed the gap considerably thanks to cohesion funds. Spain and Portugal are good examples, as they were extremely underdeveloped when they joined the EU.

The free movement of people and goods also greatly contributes to greater equality, and each country has an equal voice in decision-making.

Q. How can the EU better express Solidarity toward countries outside its borders?

I believe there are few complaints in this regard, as the EU already contributes significantly. The most relevant example is Ukraine, which would be in a much worse position without the EU’s various forms of assistance. The EU also supports countries in the Western Balkans through the so-called Economic Growth Plan, which allocates substantial financial resources. Of course, the best way to enhance this support would be for these countries to join the EU. Currently, Montenegro and Albania have the best prospects, while the process has stalled elsewhere.

Q. How can individuals, especially young people, actively contribute to a more united and supportive Europe, and how can the EU amplify their voices in decision-making and encourage a sense of responsibility?

The best way to participate in the decision-making process is through political engagement, not just by voting, but also by running for various responsible positions.

Q. What changes are needed for the EU to become more united and resilient to external pressures, such as economic crises or global conflicts?

There has long been talk of reforming the EU’s structure, as the current decision-making process is quite slow. Moreover, the increasing number of Member States means more diversity and greater difficulty in coordination. Some countries even believe that enlargement should not occur before such reforms take place. However, I believe this is an ambitious stance given the current situation.

Life in the EU can be compared to living in a multi-apartment building, where any intervention requires the consent of all or a qualified majority. Those living on the ground floor must recognize that the roof is also their concern, just as those in the attic must acknowledge that the basement is part of the same building: ultimately, unity depends on the Member States and their Leaders. No one can have everything, and compromises are always necessary.

Kako lahko EU okrepi solidarnost med državami članicami in s preostalim svetom ter zagotovi pravičnejšo in bolj povezano prihodnost za vse?

Pri tem nas zanima:

1) Kako se EU odziva na krizne situacije (npr. pandemije, naravne nesreče in migracije) in kako bi lahko izboljšala solidarnost med državami članicami?

EU se zelo dobro odziva na naravne nesreče, saj obstaja mehanizem pomoči z ekipami in stroji, finančno pomoč pa pokriva solidarnostni sklad. Glede solidarnostnega sklada poteka razprava o njegovem povečanju. Precej slabše pa je bilo odzivanje na druge nepredvidene dogodke, tukaj mislim na pandemije in migracije. Vsaka država je reševala stvari po svoje. Glede sedanje varnostne krize (vojna v Ukrajini, sprememba politike v ZDA, dogajanje v Gazi) pa trenutno poteka oblikovanje skupne strategije. Največja moč EU je njena enotnost. Kadar te ni (Madžarska in Slovaška igrata drugačno igro), je vse bistveno težje in EU postane bolj dovzetna za zunanje vplive.

2) Ali vse države članice enako prispevajo k solidarnosti ali so nekatere bolj obremenjene? Kako EU spodbuja pravično prerazporeditev bremen med bogatejšimi in revnejšimi državami?

Slovenija trenutno (še) sodi med t.i. neto prejemnice, kar pomeni, da izvaja kohezijsko politiko. To so evropska sredstva, ki jih dobimo za gradnjo infrastrukture in drugih projektov, ker sodimo med manj razvita območja. Vendar bomo tudi mi postali neto plačnica, ko bo naša razvitost dosegla raven, ki ne omogoča več prejemanja evropskih sredstev. Od leta 2004 smo torej bistveno več dobili, kakor pa prispevali, kot tudi druge kohezijske države.

3) Kakšno vlogo ima solidarnost pri zmanjševanju socialnih razlik znotraj EU in kako lahko EU učinkoviteje zmanjšuje neenakosti ter izboljšuje življenjske razmere svojih državljanov?

Države nikoli ne bodo enake. Če povem plastično, Grčija ne bo nikoli Švedska, saj že v osnovi nimata iste mentalitete, podnebja in drugih danosti. EU te razlike bistveno zmanjšuje, saj so manj razvite države v preteklosti na račun kohezijskih sredstev vrzel zelo zmanjšale. Tak primer sta denimo Španija in Portugalska, ki sta bili ob vstopu v EU izjemno zaostali državi. Že prost pretok ljudi in blaga veliko prispeva k večji enakosti, hkrati pa ima vsaka država tudi enakopraven glas pri odločanju.

4)  Kako lahko EU bolje izraža solidarnost do držav zunaj svojih meja?

Menim, da ni veliko zamer pri tem, kajti EU že sedaj veliko prispeva. Najbolj je aktualen primer Ukrajine, ki bi bila brez raznovrstne pomoči EU v veliko težjem položaju. Pomaga pa tudi državam na Zahodnem Balkanu v t.i. Economic growth plan oziroma načrtu rasti, za kar gredo znatna finančna sredstva. Seveda bi bil vstop omenjenih držav v EU dobrodošla nadgradnja tega. Trenutno imata najboljšo perspektivo Črna gora in Albanija. Drugje je proces nekoliko ali pa precej zastal.

5) Kako lahko posamezniki in predvsem mladi aktivno prispevajo k bolj povezani in solidarni Evropi? Kako lahko EU okrepi njihov glas pri odločanju in spodbuja občutek odgovornosti?

Najboljša oblika odločanja je sodelovanje v politiki, ne samo udeležba na volitvah, temveč tudi kandidiranje za različne odgovorne funkcije.

6) Katere spremembe so potrebne, da bi EU postala bolj enotna in odporna na zunanje pritiske, kot so gospodarske krize ali globalni konflikti?

Dolgo se že govori o reformi ustroja EU, saj je sedanje odločanje precej dolgotrajno, hkrati pa večje število članic pomeni več različnosti in težje usklajevanje. Nekatere države celo menijo, da širitve ne more biti pred omenjeno reformo. A sam menim, da je to v danih razmerah precej smelo razmišljanje. Življenje v EU bi lahko primerjali s stanovalci večstanovanjske stavbe, kjer je za vsak poseg potrebno pridobiti soglasje vseh ali pa določene večine. Kdor živi v pritličju, se mora zavedati, da je tudi streha stvar, ki ga mora zanimati, tisti v mansardi pa vedeti, da je tudi klet del iste stavbe. Skratka, k enotnosti lahko največ prispevajo države same oziroma njihovi voditelji. Nihče ne more imeti vsega, vedno so potrebni kompromisi.