Abstract
The study of Europe's " heritage " should at last lead us to look to the future, while reflecting on convergences and what can become common, and their implementation. It is mainly the contribution of Europe's constitutional heritage that is at stake. It is supposed to provide clear criteria for distinguishing between what constitutes a " state of " or a "democracy", on the one hand, and systems where these values have lost their meaning, on the other. These European ideas can be seen as a fragile heritage, but clearly as a common heritage. It is also possible to discern a certain fragmentation which, although it can be partially overcome, must be accepted as such. Finally, the idea of a common conception of state and society in Europe can be seen as false. At the end of these four conferences, it will be appropriate to draw conclusions from the analysis developed, and to articulate some proposals and orientations for the political decision-makers of the European Union and the Council of Europe.
