11-13 December 1996
New Delhi, India
The notions of regional identity and entity lead us very quickly to reflect upon their dialectic
articulation which is composed of both similarities and contradictions with the national
identities and the States occupying the space of the "region" concerned. One interesting
"regional" example, that of Europe, immediately springs to mind, leading to thoughts about
the European identity and the European construction. Although this is an interesting example,
it does not constitute a role model, being encumbered by the vastness of its specificity and
the complexity of the process of its construction, which has known its successes but also its
failures. In this sense, the comparison between the European Union and the SAARC -- the
South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation -- is difficult, since there is a greater risk
of highlighting the differences rather than the common traits. Bearing this in mind, the
following questions can still be posed in both the cases, and the dialogue to be engaged in
around these questions between European and South Asian scholars should be particularly
fruitful.
- Of what is a "regional" identity composed? How is it connected to national identities?
Would the actors in the different countries answer these questions in the same way? What
are the past strengths, present stakes, and hopes or fears of the future? Is there one identity
or are there many 'identities'? What geographical demarcations are possible? In short, what
is 'Europe'? What is 'South Asia'?
- In the case of the European Union, a common European culture preceded its
construction. What was its strength during the process of construction? On the other hand,
what part was played by external pressures: the fear of war; the need for peace and
reconciliation between the people; the fear of decline; the fear of the USSR; the fear of
economic competition; the American pressures or, conversely, the need to feel a European
specificity in relation to the Atlantic ally? Similarly, what is South Asian identity? Did it
exists before SAARC? Or are we waiting for this entity to produce an identity?
- What obstacles stand in the way of the construction process? Should it go all the way
up to integration, which implies a certain dose of supranationality, or should the process be
limited to intergovernmental cooperation, which will conserve the national sovereignties?
What are the choices for South Asia?
- Through which medium do the constructions in Europe and South Asia pass or hope
to pass? economy? defence? institutions? culture?
In this perspective, the seminar will be divided into four sessions, respectively
entitled:
1. Development and Perception of European Unity
2. Economy and Finance in the European Context
3. International Politics and Security Matters: European necessities
4. European Unification and South Asian Perceptions and Experiences
In each of the first three sessions, three to four papers will be presented by European scholars taking the following guidelines: a) the major stages of European construction in the different fields of culture, mentalities, Franco-German relations, industry, agriculture, finance, law, defence, etc.; b) the role played by the different political, institutional, social, and economic actors in the process of European integration; c) how these take the supranational dimension into account in their policies; d) the emergence of an awareness of a European identity, especially among the post World War generations. All of these papers will be discussed by South Asian scholars, and then followed by an open discussion. In the fourth session, South Asian scholars will present papers on the past and present experiences of South Asia in order to develop their own perceptions of "regional" cooperation. The discussions which are provoked should conclude the debate and promote a meaningful dialogue between Europe and South Asia.
The inaugural function of the seminar will include the ambassadors of France and Germany accredited to India, the Head of the European Commission in Delhi, and the Vice-Chancellor of JNU, New Delhi. The acts of the seminar should be published in a book in early 1997.
For further details, please contact:
Elide Ricadat or Jean-Marie Lafont
Centre for Sciences Humaines
2 Aurangzeb road
New Delhi 110011
Tel: +91-11-301 4173 or 6259
Fax: +91-11-301 8480
Email: ricadat@csh.delnet.ernet.in