27 January 2022

Respect of human rights in international relations and greater sensitivity on disinformation, more Europe in schools and more powers to the European Parliament, transnational lists for European elections and EU consulates in the world. These are some of the proposals put forward during the intense debate that animated the afternoon session of "Incontriamoci a Milano" (Let’s meet in Milan), the third appointment of the cycle of meetings that is crossing the peninsula from North to South aiming to stimulate citizens to participate in the Conference on the Future of Europe.

The initiative took place on 20 January 2022 at the University of Milan and focused on three of the nine topics proposed by the Conference: 'the European Union in the world', 'participatory democracy' and 'the future of social Europe'. More generally, the students discussed the future of the European Union and the issues deemed as crucial to the future of Europe and its role in the world.

Coordinated by Piero Graglia, Professor of History of International Relations at the University of Milan, and Francesco Tufarelli, DG of the European Union Policies Coordination Office at the Department for European Policies, the young European citizens drew up a document of proposals published on our website and shared on the platform of the Conference on the Future of Europe.

According to the students, in the global scenario the EU should review its relations with China. Ester called for more cooperation and openness on certain issues; Niccolò stated the Global Gateway as a response to China's Silk Road is a "brave approach"; Samuel, on the other hand, called for the creation of "European Union Consulates", unified representations in non-EU Countries.

Special importance was acknowledged to human rights, and some students, such as Antonio, called for duties and tariffs on products imported from States responsible for human rights violations.

Several interventions addressed 'European democracy', one of the topics of the Conference. Anna invoked the abolition of the right of veto; Stefano called for enhanced powers of the European Parliament; Filippo urged for transnational lists for European elections; while Daniel proposed the development of the Trans-European Network, a transport system that would increasingly help connect Europe's capital cities.

Several interventions were also made on the information and awareness front. Sara pointed the finger at fake news, primarily in the scientific field, and Piero called for seminars on the EU addressed to journalists. Antonio, on the other hand, highlighted the study of the EU and its institutions should be compulsory in schools.

So many ideas, so many contributions that certainly enrich the debate on the future of Europe.

Read the full document resulting from the Workshop [IT]