36 / 514
Knowledge For Synchronization and Durability
25
n
An important fact for the paper presented here is the term expiatory, the church always has been. Expiatory
church means that, since the outset, it has been built from donations and the building is still going on and could
be finished some time in the future. As Gaudí himself said: “The expiatory church of La Sagrada Família is made
by the people and is mirrored in them. It is a work that is in the hands of God and the will of the people.” Over the
years it has become an universal symbol of identity of the city and the country.
2. What is the European Model?
As the astonishing unfinished church continues to grow in the middle heart of Barcelona, there might be found
a marvelous resemblance with what we name European Union, the continuous edifice of European conscience.
European Union was edified for assuring peace and prosperity on the fragmented continent after the Second
World War. It’s mission stated for the twenty first century is to maintain and extend peace among member states,
to create a frame for economic, social and political cooperation, to provide security to European citizens, to pro-
mote economic and social solidarity, to maintain European identity and cultural diversity in a global space and to
promote European common values.
European model appears as a metaphysical construction of will on common interests and founded on treaties
oriented to guarantee the nation states and equal chances for each member. Following the principle of humanistic
and progressive values, EU aims to guarantee the benefits and not downsize of the major World changes to its
members. There is also the solidarity principle observing that markets or nation states alone are not sufficient to
satisfy all the needs of the citizens. The European model represents a vision of what matter for the vast majority
of it’s citizens as: cultural heritage, human rights, social solidarity, freedom of enterprise, equal distribution of
economic growth, clean environment, respect for cultural, linguistic and religious diversity, blending tradition
with progress.
EU operates through its institutions as European Council, European Parliament and European Commission and
it is involved in various policies regarded as beneficent for it’s members: innovation and solidarity-cohesion poli-
cies, financed from an annual UE budget.
Common market is an important aspect and achievement of the EU. Trade and free competition barriers and re-
strictions were gradually removed with a direct impact on living standards. Common market is oriented towards
a common economy haven’t been achieved yet as some general interest sectors remaining still under national
low. Services freedom stimulates economic activity. Over the years EU introduced common politics regarding
transports and competition for a greater consumer’s and enterprises access to the common market and the crisis
determined a reinforcement of financial EU rules.
Euro is the common currency for 17 European states and will become the unique currency for all member states
as soon as they’re prepared to. It became a main global reserve currency. Euro is presumed to offer Europeans
benefits as they are safe from exchange rate fluctuations. Central European Bank’s activity is to maintain constant
prices and during 2008 crisis it protected Euro Zone countries against competitive devaluation and speculations.
A future stronger coordination and economic solidarity among member states in order to proper manage public
finances and reduce fiscal deficits is still needed though. Strategic planning for Europe in the near future aims
progress through knowledge and innovation: intelligent economic growth meaning sustaining knowledge, inno-
vation, education and digital society, sustainability and inclusion.
In order to support European identity, EU finances various educational and cultural programs, recognizing that
this belonging feeling will evolve progressively only if there exist real EU accomplishments and benefits perceived
by the population.
As for the European model resemblance with the core Barcelona edifice, Robert Schumman, on 9
th
of May 1950,
said that “Europe will not be made all at once, or according to a single plan. It will be built through concrete
achievements which first create a de facto solidarity.” (The Schuman Declaration – 9 May 1950,
http://europa.eu/about-eu/basic-information/symbols/europe-day/schuman-declaration/index_en.htm).