Our assets

It can be said, on the other hand, that there is little optimism from the political standpoint and the prevailing social climate. I myself have said and repeated that there is a mood of disenchantment and disorientation. There is fog. There is a feeling that something has not been done well. We are not specifically referring to the debate around whether the new Statute will yield real improvement over the 1979 version. We will have to wait and see.

The current sense of frustration and certain bewilderment has intensified owing to the central government’s recent declarations and its persistent unconstructive attitude, as well as the impression that the government of the Generalitat lacks the resolve to defend the new Statute, choosing instead to defend political and national resignation. Therefore, this week’s editorial wishes to point out that although this is all true, it is likewise true that Catalonia has genuine possibilities to move forward. Right now instead of affirming this, we are subjected to whimpering. The Government is gloomy, the political arena has yet to recover from a period of upheaval, the media analyse and dissect, and civil society has shown some positive initiatives, but it alone cannot articulate a suitable overall response. With all this in mind, it’s worth remembering Catalonia’s potential. Something that cannot be overshadowed by a badly-designed process.

We do not need to write an editorial specifically to remind ourselves of this. We have stated so many times, and not merely because we are in love with Catalonia but because the reality of the situation has been confirmed time after time after time. So, allow me to simply transcribe a speech I delivered at conference on 7 September of last year, entitled: “Before a historic crossroads and a great challenge”. I should point out that between then and now Catalonia’s progress, response and resolve before the crossroads appear not to have been positive, but that is accidental and does not eclipse the underlying reasons to have faith in the country and in ourselves. After analysing our country’s pros and cons at that moment, I said:

What do we have to move forward? What do we have to provide the right responses to the challenges, to take the right turning at the crossroads and energetically embark on a new change of course?

Above all else, we have our own country that, without ignoring the uncertainties, has a significant and special influence. Moreover, it continues to have the image and the right personality to allow it to continue to hold its head high. We simply cannot afford to let it succumb to attacks from outside or from an accelerated accumulation of challenges. Nor to the errors or foolishness of politicians or to some despicable social demonstrations. Although Catalonia can prevail, this all needs to be taken into account. If Catalonia were not an important country, it would not give rise to the forceful reactions to which it has been subjected. This is one more sign that Catalonia is a country that has to be borne in mind.

Our civil society is sometimes a target for criticism. For being unambitious, individualistic; sometimes for being too conservative. Lately certain sectors give the impression that they are not sufficiently motivated. However, those of us who watch it closely and give some credence to this criticism are also aware of its potential. Catalonia is one of the European societies where the ascenseur social (social elevator) works best. Currently there is effervescence from groups and associations that believe they have a wide range of initiatives. Highly creative and highly current. This is the Spanish economy with the greatest presence of companies abroad. We continue to enjoy an excellent export capacity; in other words, we continue to be largely competitive. When an ignorant foreigner derides Catalan culture, you hand him the Sanskrit-Catalan dictionary and he falls silent. There is no end of schemes for our territory, which only a few some decades was ago threatened by desertification. Our R+D remains low, but not so low and it’s on the rise. It’s clearly on the rise. Our universities have changed, and significantly so. Indeed, it is in this area so decisive for the future where these institutions and the research they have conducted in recent years have made the most notable changes. Recognition of their achievements has come through the appointing of the former Catalan Government Minister of Universities, Research and Information Society, Andreu Mas-Colell, as Secretary General of the European Research Council for the 2009-2011 period.

The country has vitality.

It does however need to redefine its objectives, gain a better knowledge of itself and its possibilities, and, as such, of the role it can and must play to renew its political and social positions, gain greater self-respect and strive for more and better leadership.

And it needs to rekindle the idea and sense of country, of late little and badly cultivated.     
 
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True enough, since 7 September the situation has improved. And there has been no reaction for the moment. Especially in political terms. But the aforementioned assets – and many others, very many others – are there. We must conserve our assets of history, economy, culture, cohesion and cohabitation, and our combination of tradition and dynamism. We will be only effective if the country allows itself is to be dissuaded from resignation and neglect.