Show Info: The mission of the Center for the Study of Europe at Boston University is to promote understanding of Europe through its cultural heritage; its political, economic, and religious histories; its art, literature, music, and philosophy; as well as through its recent emergence as a new kind of international form through the European Union.
In this episode, Ines Garcia de la Puente talks about the massive societal changes the EU has undergone in the past 25 years. She emphasizes the importance of literature in influencing the development of children, describing how reading teaches people to be open minded to different experiences and cultures. Garcia de la Puente discusses the role of artists in connecting Europeans across geographical and historic boundaries, arguing that multilingualism should be at the core of children's education in order to promote transcultural awareness and communication between countries. She ends by highlighting the need for adequate investment into education systems and praises teachers for stimulating interest in academic and artistic pursuits among European youths. [Date of interview: May 5, 2017]
