International Encyclopedia of the First World War World War One Goes World Wide Web 8 October 2014 Brussels World War One Goes World Wide Web One hundred years after the outbreak of the First World War, the project “1914-1918-online. Inter- national Encyclopedia of the First World War” will provide the public with a comprehensive Open Access encyclopedia of the “Great War”. The project is coordinated at Freie Universität Berlin and funded by the German Research Foundation (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft DFG). “1914-1918-online” combines the latest international historical research with the benefits of the semantic web. This leads to an advanced digital resource for historians worldwide. The First World War is an important point of reference for the creation of a transnational and global historical consciousness, offering a unique chance to discuss the roots of and possibilities for European inte- gration. At a time of new economic and political crises, a comprehensive examination and analysis of this “great seminal catastrophe of the twentieth century“ is indispensable. In cooperation with the federal states of Berlin and North Rhine-Westphalia and the EU-Commit- tee of the Regions, and with the support of the German Embassy in Brussels and Allianz SE, the online encyclopedia has been launched on 8 October 2014 in Brussels. Moreover an international panel discussed the First World War in the context of European historical consciousness. www.1914-1918-online.net Agenda Welcoming speech by the President of the Committee of the Regions, Michel Lebrun 7 Speech by State of Berlin Commissioner for European Affairs, Permanent Secretary Hella Dunger- 9 Löper Speech by Vice President of Freie Universität Berlin, Klaus Hoffmann-Holland 11 Presentation of 1914-1918-online by Editor in Chief, Oliver Janz 13 Panel “The First World War and European historical consciousness” with Heather Jones (historian 17 and general editor of 1914-1918-online), Paul Dujardin (Director of the Palais des BOZAR in Brus- sels) and Santanu Das (literary studies researcher, historian, and section editor of 1914-1918-on- line); Moderator: Martin Kettle (journalist) Closing speech by Member of the Parliament of North Rhine-Westphalia, Markus Töns 21 Reception with workstations for trying out the online encyclopedia 23 www.1914-1918-online.net 7 Welcome Speech by Michel Lebrun (President of the Committee of the Regions) Dear Ambassador, Dear colleagues, Dear Professors, Dear web of Alliances between Europe‘s big powers, Imperialism guests, and finally a closed form of Nationalism. I would definitely On behalf of the Committee of the Regions, I would like to add a fifth one; it is the absence of any supranational plat- welcome you to this conference launching the encyclopedia form where one could discuss and seek to better under- “1914-1918-online. International Encyclopaedia of the First stand each other‘s intentions and search for a solution in World War”. case a local conflict arises. I would like to thank the co-organisers for this initiative, As President of the smallest institutional player at the EU which will help in raising European historical conscious- level, I am convinced of the potential role of our Committee ness: The representatives of the German Länder Berlin and in this respect. Whereas conflicts start at the local level, it North Rhine-Westphalia as well as the German Embassy is often also true that at the local level first, yet significant and the Allianz SE. steps towards reconciliation and mutual trust-building can As you saw on your way in, we are holding this event during take place. In the Committee of the Regions we have, for the European week of regions and cities and I think the ti- example, political platforms engaging with EU partners in ming is right: 100 years ago our ancestors fought a terrible the South (ARLEM) and the East (CoRLEAP). They have pro- war against each other, causing thirty seven million casu- ven to be solid springboards for cooperation, dialogue and alties: sixteen million deaths and an estimated twenty one cross-border action. Also in the Committee‘s every day work million wounded soldiers and civilians. These figures are so our members from all over Europe meet and forge networks high that one cannot imagine the pain and tragedies fami- and friendships, which were unthinkable 100 years ago. lies all over Europe went through. No European nation was Ladies and Gentlemen: left untouched – and it was the ordinary men and woman Looking at the destructive nationalism at the time, we have who were affected the most. to remember the terrible mistakes made and pass on the One century later we European citizens live peacefully to- message to those generations who luckily have no recollec- gether in the EU, and representatives from our regions and tion of war. The online encyclopedia tells stories and gives cities come together to discuss issues, which in these days details of the ‚Great‘ War, which are freely available for eve- are of importance for all of us: jobs and cohesion, sustaina- ryone, not only in Europe, but throughout the whole world. ble energy and cross-border relations are only a few such I invite you to consult it and promote it, because I think it is topics. a source of important information to keep the memory of We are privileged to live in these times of peace, but it is World War One alive. not peace for everyone. Just outside the EU borders there There‘s much we can learn from history and I think this is fighting and killing going on. On television, we follow encyclopedia offers a unique opportunity to reflect it and scenes that we were convinced could not happen any more the events, which were shaking our European continent 100 on this continent. We thought we had learned the lessons years ago. from the First World War and also from the Second World Thank you for your attention. War. However, it becomes clear that remembering these terrible times is now more than ever necessary. In our peaceful environment in the European Union of 28 member states, many have forgotten why it was founded to start with. A significant share of EU citizens openly question the integration process and the very fundamental freedoms and values on which the European Union is built. It is more than ever important to highlight that the first objective of EU integration should und must remain the consolidation of ‚peace‘ on the continent. Because it was out of the ashes of the two world wars that the European Union, as we know it today, was forged. Yet, in historical terms the Union is still young and fragile. As Lea- ders of European Regions and Cities we should continue to stress that all conflicts in world history − including the two world wars – started “locally“. Back in 1914, the assassination of Archduke Franz-Ferdinand and his wife in Sarajevo spur- red a domino-effect of war waging on the continent, which eventually resulted in the First War at a global level. After- wards many historians agree that the four MAIN reasons for the origins of the war were Militarisation, the existence of a 8www.1914-1918-online.net 9 Welcome Speech by Hella Dunger-Löper (State of Berlin Commissioner for European Affairs) Dear Mr. President Lebrun, Dear Members of European Europe built from the bottom up by its citizens and regions. Parliament & of the Committee of Regions, Dear Represen- The Committee of the Regions has always − justifiably so tatives of the European Commission, Dear Panel Guests, – not just discussed important political points in the legis- your Excellency, Dear Ladies and Gentlemen, lative process, but has also focused on issues linked to the On behalf of the city of Berlin and the mayor of Berlin, I’d future of Europe. like to welcome you to the Committee of the Regions. I’m I’d like particularly to thank President Lebrun for allowing very pleased that so many of you were able to accept our us to hold this important event in this building today – and invitation. I’d also like to thank you and all your team for your wide- Over the last few months, commemoration of the First ranging practical support for the project. World War has reached a level not previously seen. In all I would also like to thank the Free University of Berlin, forms of media − the written press, on the radio and TV, in which over the last three years has been coordinating the the news − if you look at Google Alerts, there’s been at least creation of the world’s first online-encyclopedia of the First ten articles a day over the last year. And it particularly applies World War, headed by Professor Janz. This is, as I said, the to Germany, where commemoration of the First World War world’s first online encyclopedia of the First World War. The has, until recently, been almost completely overshadowed “1914-1918-online” encyclopedia of the First World War, by memories of the Second World War. The First World War which has been launched on the web today, provides anyo- has also been neglected in other countries that participa- ne interested with an excellent contemporary tool for rese- ted in it, although for different reasons − for example, as arching questions relating to the First World War. has been the case in many countries in Central and Eastern Professor Hoffmann-Holland, as vice president of the FU Europe. In contrast, however, commemoration of the First Berlin, I’d like to thank you for being here and I’d like to World War in Belgium, France, and Great Britain has always congratulate you on this very impressive and innovative been marked and has gained a new impetus in the cente- source of information about the First World War.