From 22 to 27 July 2024, Nocera Umbra, a picturesque village in the province of Perugia (Italy), hosted the final stage of the competition ‘Let’s become European Citizens’, an important initiative promoted by the European Federalist Movement (MFE) in collaboration with Europe Direct Venezia Veneto of the Municipality of Venice. During this week, the city became the stage for a Europeanist holiday and training, in which the winners of the competition participated. The young people were involved in intense discussions on crucial issues for the future of Europe, debating with experts and deepening issues of great relevance for the continent.
The programme of the symposium dealt with highly topical issues, ranging from the crisis of European centrality in the 20th century to federalism and the construction of a federal state, and the process of European integration as a response to the crisis of the nation states. Particular attention was devoted to the new world balances that emerged after the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, with a focus on relations between Europe, the United States, Russia and the Mediterranean area.
Discussions also focused on topics such as technological innovation, the ecological transition of the economy and the role of the Next Generation EU (NGEU) in the European context. The presence of high-profile experts ensured a rich and stimulating debate, fostering constructive discussion among the participants.
Among the speakers, Rita Biconne, Head of the Project Implementation Unit of ALDA, gave a significant contribution by illustrating the initiatives of the Association at European level and the crucial role ALDA played as a partner of the European Parliament in raising awareness and promoting the Parliamentary elections of June 2024, through the campaign ‘Better Europe Together’.
The seminar in Nocera Umbra, widely supported by ALDA, represented the culmination of the competition ‘Let’s become European Citizens’, an initiative born in Verona and then extended at regional level, which aims to promote an active and aware European citizenship among secondary school students in Veneto.
The prize-giving ceremony of the competition took place on 16 May 2024 in Mestre, while on 29 June 2024 the 40th anniversary of the competition was celebrated with an event entitled ‘Europe after the vote’, which was also attended by Andrea Rilievo, member of the Governing Board of ALDA.
This year’s edition saw the participation of 28 students from six schools in the provinces of Treviso and Venice, with 13 of them recognised as winners and special mentions.
As ALDA, we had the honour and pleasure to interview four students who particularly distinguished themselves during the seminar in Nocera Umbra: Riccardo Tavella, Matteo Buccella, Alessandro Carbone and Beatrice Ferraro. Their testimonies were a source of inspiration, showing how these initiatives can really influence the formation of an aware and active European citizenship.
This is what they told us when we asked them:
After participating in the Seminar, do you feel that you have strengthened your sense of belonging to the European Union?
Following my participation in the Nocera Umbra 2024 Seminar, I can say that I have indeed strengthened my sense of belonging to the European Union. The discussions on the challenges and opportunities facing the Union, as well as the exchanges of ideas with many of my peers, have made me realise even more how a federalist Europe is a unique and necessary project that requires the commitment of every citizen for its realisation. – Matteo Buccella.
The Seminar experience allowed me to get to know many people who are different from me in terms of studies, age and, above all, opinions. These differences, however, made me realise how important the EU is as a sharing of principles considered common, capable of overcoming different points of view in favour of broader and more important themes. – Riccardo Tavella.