When one seeks major funding, one needs somehow a big idea that keys into some macro-political agenda. How can your project help someone in authority tick a given box – perhaps in way that nobody else can…?
In terms of EU funding, it seems to me there is an important, fundamental idea that Europe’s zoos would be especially well placed to deliver, an available, ’empty’ idea : the concept of a common European heritage or a shared European identity.
Before we go further, put away your feelings pro or con in respect of the European Union as an overall idea – we are being pragmatic here.
The idea of some inclusive European self is there at the core of the EU ideal, but there is a problem. The original Common Market (i.e. Western Europe) could perhaps claim a common foundation on classical civilisation, the Roman empire and ( however divided) the western Christian tradition, plus the art, literature, values and languages that go along with this.
However, successive waves of enlargement have diluted this badly with the ‘Cyrillic’ and Slavic states having lesser links to western heritage. Now there is the prospect of Turkey one day joining - a predominantly Muslim State ( surely a good thing in terms of the crucial, global issue of engaging with the Muslim world..?). There are also smaller Muslim States ( Albania and parts of the former Yugoslavia) already officially classifed as ‘Pre-Candidate States’.
But there is one subject that unites all of Europe, that actually defies attempts at exclusive nationalistic or religious appropriation ? Europe’s natural heritage, with all the , metaphor, iconography, myths, literature and cultural associations that flows from the European wild that has surrounded and accompanied the growth of our civilisations.
A common inclusive European identity that does not root in nationalistic hegemony or religious exclusion lies in the biodiversity and natural heritage of our continent.
Where is the nspirational zoo blueprint to conserve and present this rich shared patrimony in an explicit European concept, and to so receive the political and financial support that might go with this agenda…?
We have one partial precedent in the zoos of the Island of Ireland (Dublin and Fota in the Republic) and Belfast in the North), where all 3 institutions have admirably worked together on the ’ancient biodiversity of Irelan’ in way that looks to transcend and help heal the historic divisions on that island.
It would be ifascinating to see something on a European level begin to be discussed.
John
