“Europa in città” was a great success, as demonstrated by the participation and the attention to the themes at stake shown by the audience, more and more eager to play an active role in the decision-making process to assure a better future for Europe. The format was designed by the Presidency of the Italian Government together with the European Commission and was based on a series of several gatherings taking place all over Italy. During the meetings, civil society representatives (students, professors, merchants, entrepreneurs, etc) were invited to ask questions and dialogue with the Italian members of the European Parliament.

Held within the framework of the European Year of Citizens, events were meant to reinforce the sense of being European and favour citizens’ understanding of their European rights, especially in view of the European elections to be held next May under the Italian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, starting from the second semester of 2014.

European institutions’ greatest hope for new generations is to foster a true sense of belonging to the EU. This encouragement was renewed during the final event, held in Rome on December 13^th, which was attended by relevant Italian MEPs such as Carlo Casini, Niccolò Rinaldi, Marco Scurria and Vittorio Calaprice. During the final session, speakers remarked three main concepts: the right to be informed on European themes, the right to be responsible for a common and shared wellbeing and, last but not least, the right for a better future in Europe.