This year’s Europe Day, on May 9, was celebrated with a message promoting diversity, social cohesion, and human connection, as expressed in a statement by Kata Tüttő, President of the European Committee of the Regions.
The President emphasized that Europe was not built on uniformity, but on the coexistence of different cultures, languages, experiences, and collective memories. As she noted, Europe’s strength lies in its ability to translate and bridge the differences between people, generations, and communities.
Particular emphasis was placed on the importance of inclusion and mutual understanding at a time when social polarization, the fast pace of the digital age, and simplistic narratives are testing the democratic cohesion of societies.
According to the statement, local communities, cities, and regions are key pillars of European resilience, as they are the places where people meet, collaborate, engage in constructive debate, and build relationships of trust. Schools, neighborhoods, public spaces, and communities are emerging as places where the values of equality and participation are put into practice every day.
The President of the Committee of the Regions called on local leaders to keep European values alive through policies that promote dignity, solidarity, and social inclusion, noting that communities are the “resilience system” of democracy.
The message of this year’s Europe Day highlights that diversity is not an obstacle, but the foundation of a more open, fair, and inclusive Europe—a Europe where no one is left behind.
