What are values?
Values are basic and fundamental beliefs, principles or standards that guide or motivate our behaviour, our decisions, our attitudes, our actions or our priorities, and not only on the individual level but also in reference to groups or societies. Values help us to determine what is important to us; they describe our personal qualities, that is, what we choose to guide us in our actions. They define us, what kind of person we want to be; they define the manner in which we treat ourselves and the others, and of course, they determine our interaction with the world around us. So, values, provide the general guidelines for conduct and generally they respond to the question “What is important and what is worth upholding”?
In a narrower sense, we identify values in what is good, what is desirable or what is worthwhile, and on these grounds, values motivate us to do some purposeful action. They are the ends to which we act, and they come in many forms. They can be cultural, political, social, personal or ideological or other, but also, they can be considered universal, (for the fact of belonging to every human being), for example freedom, peace, justice, solidarity and health. All these are concepts considered inherently good regardless of their instrumental utility.
Values are also guiding principles because they shape how we act, how we decide, and how we interact with others, and they could be expressed also personal values, in example, expression of personal beliefs, but also can be shared and collective, like for example, in the context of the EU or an alliance, because they are agreed upon by all members. These values at the same time are enduring, which means lasting over time, but also adaptable, since they can evolve as societies change, and of course And, in the case of EU, they are furthermore normative, because they shape the behaviour of other actors or third parties in international relations, shaping the rules of the game in international relations and imposing standards on what is considered to be normal in the international system.
In the context of the EU, the values of the European Union are the fundamental principles on which the EU is built and which guide all its actions, policies, and laws. They are enshrined in the Treaty on European Union (TEU), Article 2, and are shared by all EU Member States. According to article 2 EU’s core common values are human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, rule of law, protection of human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities.
The Values of the European Union
Explore the core values of the European Union and what they mean in the context of ACE²-EU. Select a value to learn more.
ACE²-EU Values
ACE²-EU values helped the Alliance to create a common identity and purpose among the partner universities. For that purpose, the ACE community established a Decalog of values and guiding principles that would guide the work and mobilities of the whole alliance. They serve as a compass for decision-making in education, research, mobility, and governance. Furthermore, they help ensure trust, fairness, and inclusion in cross-border collaboration.
These guiding values and principles are transnational cooperation, creativity and co-creation and innovation, inclusiveness and equality, human rights and dignity, solidarity and social commitment, sustainability and environmental stewardship, and finally, responsibility and transparency.
Living the EU values in ACE²-EU should give students a sense of belonging, fairness, voice, and purpose – and should equip them to carry those values into their future lives and careers. This goal to obtain is not only for students, but also for staff and universities as a whole.
