Within the framework of the Jean Monnet Chair CE4INT – Circular Economy for Sustainable Development and International Trade, the Università di Siena hosted the event “What are EU doing? – Questions from Young People to Members of the European Parliament”, creating a structured space for dialogue between students and European policymakers.

The initiative, organised in collaboration with Tuscan universities and the regional network of Europe Direct centres, involved students from the Università di Firenze, Università di Pisa, Università per Stranieri di Siena, the Polo Universitario Grossetano, and the IIS San Giovanni Bosco e Cennino Cennini of Colle Val d’Elsa.

The core of the event was an interactive “question time” session, during which Members of the European Parliament and institutional representatives responded directly to questions from students regarding the future of the European Union, European policies, and the role of younger generations in democratic and political processes.

The discussion featured contributions from Members of the European Parliament Salvatore De Meo, Dario Nardella, Francesco Torselli, Gaetano Pedullà, and Irene Galletti, together with institutional and academic voices including Roberto Di Pietra, Donata Medaglini, Massimo Pronio, Adelina Adinolfi, Simone Marinai, Luca Paladini, Diletta Gasparo, and Alberto D’Alessandro. Special thanks are extended to the local organising committee of the University of Siena, in particular Sabrina Cavatorto and Angelita Campriani.

The event reaffirmed the importance of fostering direct dialogue between European institutions and young citizens, strengthening democratic participation and awareness of European policies through education and academic engagement.

The full recording of the event is available here: YouTube recording – University of Siena event

As Robert Schuman stated, “Europe will not be made all at once, or according to a single plan.”