LECTURE 9 Local identity and
regionalism
This class provided students with
the opportunity to discuss the way cultural identity and its political
manifestations relate to economic interest in the life of local communities. In
order to build up effective links, the social actors involved in regional
cooperation should be well aware of the cultural profile of the regions and of
their constitutive local communities. From their day to day experience,
students, who live in multi-cultural communities, are well aware of the strong
connection between one’s cultural identity and his/her ability to defend and
promote his/her interests. This provided a good starting point for the ensuing
debate. The main question was: how can cross-border co-operation overcome
culturally rooted inequality and discrimination and transform cultural diversity
from an obstacle into a tool of regional development?