Motto of the European Union

In Varietate Concordia (in English: United in diversity) is the official motto of the European Union (EU). Its translations in the other 23 languages of the EU have equal standing. It is inspired by its Latin-language version coined by the Italian Nobel prize winner Ernesto Teodoro Moneta: In Varietate Concordia/In Varietate Unitas, which is also used as a compromise. It is one of the newest symbols of Europe, alongside the European flag and anthem but, unlike most, it is specific to the EU rather than originating from the Council of Europe.

According to the European Commission:

The European motto was first adopted in May 2000 as "Unity in diversity" through a non-official process since it was a contest involving 80,000 students from the 15 countries of the European Union (a.k.a. "EU-15"): Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden & United Kingdom.

In April 1998, French newspaper Ouest-France’s Patrick La Prairie proposed the organisation of a European mottoes contest for the, then 15, EU members' secondary education students. This event was meant as a 50-year celebration of Founding father of the European Union Robert Schuman's famous declaration about a supranational Community which eventually led to the creation of the actual European Union.

Back in 1998, the European Union had already a flag of Europe, and anthem of Europe and was about to launch the euro, its currency; it lacked a motto, hence, the contest proposal. Journalist La Prairie was in charge of Ouest-France 's Press-School mission and found two sponsors, World War II French museum and -then public company- France Telecom. 40 newspaper partners were found in France as well as in the remaining countries of EU-15; with at least a newspaper per country, e.g. La Repubblica in Italy,Le Soir in Belgium,Irish Times in Ireland, Berliner Zeitung in Germany and The Guardian in UK.

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Wikipedia