Transforming the European Union into a United Europe: The Role of Communication between Formation and Information

Abstract

The current European Union is a global actor in search of an effective communication strategy. This institution represents the momentary result of a long process, which started even before the end of the Second World War, and it is now facing a critical moment: whilst aware of the great achievements and the need to obtain increasingly more important ones, it does not seem like to be able at informing its citizens. Guided by article 11 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights and by Prot. 29, the European Union focuses its attention not only on in-formation but also on the formative role that this can have for citizens. The subject of this article is a brief analysis of the main instruments adept for European information, mostly on the web (mainly consulted by insiders and less by others), along with some reflections on the chance of proposing the making of informed participation available to the European citizens: how information (which creates knowledge) includes training (which creates consciousness) in a virtuous dynamic game. An excursus on the vision of the society of communication, as forecasted by trend analysts of the eighties will help comprehending the relevance of a Europe on the run, where increasing technological projects are re-designing its social structure. The society of knowledge will be able to change the European citizen and build up an even more solid community only if focusing its energies on memory, an indispensable baggage, invaluable experience common to all European citizens. The adult generations are risking exclusion, despite the cultural richness they own: the reduction of the digital divide should be addressed also to them, as well as an engine for the new generations, seeking an harmony that may only be fostered with knowledge creating greater inclusion. It is still free the way to use the new means of communication, that everyone can see as an obstacle or an opportunity.

DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n5s1p376