Waking up Europe in Rieti By Giada Dionisi

This screening/debate on 28^th November was organised by the Rieti branch of RENA, which promotes social innovation and civic engagement, in partnership with the “Literary Cafè – Libreria Moderna”. The film was well received by the 20-strong audience who ranged in age from 22 to 65 and were a mixture of students, civil servants, communications experts and people in the field of human rights protection. Afterwards they debated the issues raised with great energy and passion.

Asked a series of questions by show of hands, they responded in the following way:

• Fifteen declared themselves optimistic about the future of Europe, with only three declaring themselves pessimistic about it,

• All but one said that the EU is worth saving but many suggested it should integrate further, giving itself a proper Constitution.The lone dissenter argued that European citizenship does not exist; national identity is still dominant; and the global market is what counts,

• Asked to come up with ideas for ways to reform Europe many suggested a common language ( English was the best candidate), followed by a more integrated common foreign and security policy, measures to fight populism, more citizens participation and an acceleration of European integration,

• Perhaps predictably, all but one replied that they felt European. But many expressed a desire for better information about EU decision-making and the ability to make one’s voice heard at European level.

The organisers hope this will be the first of a series of national encounters to discuss the current European crisis and its possible solutions.