Project
Erasmus Prize 2008: The New Cosmopolitan
We like to think of our modern world as a world where borders of all kinds can easily be crossed. We think of a modern society where economic and cultural exchange are seen as normal and where identities are not fixed along traditional lines of nationality, culture, religion, ethnical origin or residence. But there is a tension between universal claims and local responsibilities.
Modern cosmopolitanism exists thanks to the physical and digital possibility to cross borders of all sorts. But even the cosmopolitan has to realize that borders are an inalienable part of our lived reality. Cultural differences between peoples and individuals cannot simply be denied by referring to the ‘global village' created by the new information technology. For a dialogue between different cultures to bear fruit, the discussants need to have knowledge of their ‘own' culture and identify with it.
The Praemium Erasmianum Foundation yearly awards the Erasmus Prize to persons who have made an important contribution to culture in Europe. This year's theme is ‘the New Cosmopolitan' and the laureate is the Anglo Dutch journalist and essayist Ian Buruma. On November 7 he will receive the Erasmus Prize 2008.
In the framework of the Erasmus Prize, Felix Meritis will invite young Europeans from The People Network to write an essay of not more than 1500 words on the subject of cosmopolitism and citizenship. Ten essays will be selected in September. The authors will be invited to participate in a special debate organized in cooperation with the Praemium Erasmianum Foundation on 6 November. Subject of the debate is the meaning of cosmopolitanism and the question of what it takes to be a good citizen of the world. The former Erasmus Prize laureates Claudio Magris, Adam Michnik, Pierre Bernard, Péter Forgács and Amnesty International have already confirmed their presence.
Information: www.erasmusprijs.org
