4Voices - Reflecting on Europe's Past

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The EU emerged from the devastation of war as a profound peace project. However, its journey has faced significant challenges, including rising Euroscepticism, Brexit, and the growing influence of extreme right and populist movements, which are ever-more louder now. Reflecting on Europe's history, particularly the impacts of ultranationalism, the Cold War, and communist regimes, alongside the challenge we will face in the next EU mandate with extreme right populist movements gaining more influence at EP, highlights the importance of defending European values and human rights to avoid repeating past mistakes. This ongoing struggle is often referred to as faceless Europe because, despite the EU's significant impact on daily life, many Europeans are unfamiliar with their representatives within its institutions. This lack of familiarity creates a vacuum that populist extreme-right parties eagerly fill. Therefore, Europe needs faces of its past, present, and futures to be prominently displayed and acknowledged. Moreover, it is crucial to deconstruct established histories, uncover the hidden stories, and break the hegemonic narratives. The emergence of feminist history has highlighted the issue of inclusion and representation. Applying a gender lens, while integrating intersectional perspectives, is key to understanding the past comprehensively, shedding light on oppression, and shaping Europe's future. The rationale behind 4Voices is grounded in the recognition of foresight as a crucial methodology for the 21st century. As the world becomes increasingly complex, the past more blurry, and the future more uncertain, the ability to think critically about and engage constructively with contemporary issues is essential for Europeans. 4Voices aims to defend human rights, democracy, and the rule of law by deconstructing Europe’s diverse past with a gender-sensitive lens and critical thinking, and by imagining Europe’s futures to rebuild trust between people and politics.