Celebrating European Diversity: Interpretations in Religion, Language, Culture, and Education

This chapter celebrates that “most happy and prosperous” period of European integration which occurred in the first century under the Antonines. What led to the decline and fall of that Roman celebration and where lies the potential for a future “most happy and prosperous” celebration of our diversity in Europe? Four key areas where our diversity may lead to full integration are identified as they were seen to be the foundations of the Antonine period of peace and prosperity throughout the then expanding Roman Empire. The benefits of diversity particularly for the European Union have been identified by many academics over time. The process of European Integration continues to foster the idea that: “we have the ability to achieve, if we master the necessary goodwill, a common global society blessed with a shared culture of peace that is nourished by the ethnic, national and local diversities that enrich our lives” (Mahnaz, 2002). So the achievement of a broad range of diversity has to become an accepted part of the growth outlook for our European community. It is the role of the international university community, particularly those with a liberal arts focus to play a leading role in the move toward diversity. We must become leaders in the recognition of the importance of diversity in strengthening current and future aspirations for peace and development. This paper therefore reflects upon the success of the Antonine period of peace and prosperity and carefully considers the four key areas and the foundation that they may provide as a benchmark for a better and more successful integration across the European continent than is today available