Our world has never been more interconnected. Despite worrying nationalist trends, the global community continues to stand together against conflict, aggression, and oppression. The European Union was formed in the aftermath of World War II to promote economic interdependence and political stability. As a pillar of international order, one of the EU’s core principles is the free movement of people, goods, and services. It has fostered cultural exchange and remains one of the key factors behind the European success story. The Schengen Area is a symbol of freedom and unity, an expression of Europe’s shared values and aspirations. It allows citizens to travel seamlessly across borders, creating a sense of community that transcends national boundaries. This freedom to explore and connect with other cultures promotes mutual understanding and respect, enriching our lives and broadening our perspectives.
The origins of the Schengen Area must also be celebrated. The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 was a momentous event that led to the reunification of Germany and marked the end of the Cold War, paving the way for the creation of the European Union. Families and friends who had been separated for decades were finally able to be reunited. The repressive regime in East Germany ended overnight, replaced with a new era of freedom and democracy. As someone born behind the Iron Curtain, I felt this wave of optimism created by institutions that sought to unite, not divide. I know first-hand the importance of global mobility as I traveled the globe unhindered by walls, borders, or visas.
The fall of the wall laid the foundations for the creation of the European Union and demonstrated the importance of citizenship. When mobility is restricted, creativity is stifled and communities disrupted, with the wall not only a physical barrier but a symbol of an ideological divide. Upon reunification, loved ones were reunited. Gone were the divisions of the past, and significant investment came into the new Germany, laying the foundations for its development into an economic powerhouse. Social and political change swept through the continent. Citizens grasped the opportunity to create a new Europe that wanted democracy, human rights, and freedom of movement. This new, more ambitious community gave people a sense of belonging and identity as they joined with others that shared their values and aspiration.
Today, one’s citizenship does not have to be confined to a single state. Now is the era of global citizenship. Almost three-quarters of the world’s countries let citizens acquire foreign passports. I now hold eight passports, achieved through birth, ancestral ties, work, and diplomatic service. Acquiring multiple passports benefits the wider global community too. As economies diversify, expand, and modernize we require a truly international workforce. Increased mobility amongst nations will allow the brightest individuals to solve the most pressing issues whilst multinational corporations utilize the flourishing entrepreneurial spirit found across the world to innovate and deliver growth. The Erasmus scheme is a perfect example of this. Facilitated by the EU’s freedom of movement, millions of young people study, train, and volunteer abroad each year, promoting cohesion and creativity.
Inspired by the EU’s historical and continual commitment to mobility, Arton Capital also wants to overcome division in a complex world. There is far more that unites us than divides us. Visas and passports should facilitate progress, rather than act as an insurmountable hurdle. Our democracy crossed borders, our people should too.
The interconnectedness of our world has created a new era of global citizenship, with the European Union’s commitment to freedom of movement a driving force in promoting unity and progress not just within Europe but around the world. The reunification of Germany serves as a powerful reminder of the benefits of collaboration and cooperation over division and isolationism. Today, we are fortunate to live in an era of burgeoning global citizenship, where mobility and diversity are celebrated and valued. As we continue to face new challenges as a global community, it is imperative that we build on the lessons of the past and work towards a future that prioritizes collaboration, community, and progress for all.
