The first meeting of the project “30 years of Maastricht: reflections on the past, present and future of Europe” was launched in the city of Santiago de Compostela (Spain) with the participation of 15 visitors from the 8 partners and more than 60 locals who took part in the program of activities.

Estimated number of direct participants: more than 60 people counting local and European visitors from the project partnership.

Target groups: although the project seek for the participation of a diverse range of profile, this first event counted with several policy makers. However, there was young people, women, and people with fewer opportunities for geographical, cultural, economic or social reasons.

Program of activities was very dynamic and included workshops and lectures that were very participatory. Main activities as stated in the form approved by EU COMMISSION with comments from the organizers:

 

1. “Presentation of the project to the participants, authorities, media and civil society”. The activity took place in the City of the Culture of Santiago de Compostela and was introduced by the project managers of this first event. Serving as a kick off for the project and introducing the main topics to be discussed during the two days meeting. Journalists, NGO representatives, youth associations as well as policy makers that participated in European programs attended the whole session.

 

2. Conference with experts: “30 years of Maastricht: Knowing the Treaty that changed the EU”. This
topic was addressed by three different technicians.

 

- Ms. Mar Rodríguez Mediavila – Vice director of EU Relations and Xunta de Galicia Regional
Autonomous Government. Her speech spinned around the importance of Maastricht at regional levels,
promoting commerce and exchange of goods and services.

 

- Mr. Román Rodríguez – Minister of Culture, Education and Universities of Xunta de Galicia. His
speech touched the importance of educational mobility programs to increase the competences and
skills of young people and the job insertion.

 

- Ms. Laura Otero – Councellor of EURES Network. Addressed the historical changes of Maastrich
and how it ended facing our today’s Europe.

 

 

3. Workshop: “Maastricht and the future of Europe: Discovering the rights and obligations of European Citizenship”. Connected to the next point, each partner did a presentation about the impact in its local community of Maastrich, the rights and obligations of their active European citizenship. A handbook collecting its opinions was created and attached to this final report.