The dramatic changes in recent European history have highlighted several aspects of Europe's cultural heritage and the complexities of its identities. Global networks and worldwide communication systems challenge older, more traditional and conventional forms of identification with Europe, as does the upsurge of ethnicity-based identity politics in older and younger European nation-states. At the same time strong efforts are being made in the EU to dissolve borders and create an economic and political union. This union has deep roots in European history, but it has been - and still is - regarded with a sense of ambivalence. Within the European Union we also acknowledge the postmodern paradox between globalisation and localisation.
In relation to the on-going process of severe changes, European universities face a special challenge and task to familiarise students with the history of European culture and to create opportunities for a more advanced education focusing on aspects of special relevance to the contemporary European social and political context. The Euroculture programme aims to provide its students with a good comprehension of historical, religious, linguistic and other cultural aspects that have played and will play an essential, but often neglected role in the European integration process.