On 2 December 2025, the Past2Future project brought together citizens, students, academics, civil society representatives, and European partners for an inspiring Citizens’ Summit & Study Visit at Francisco de Vitoria University in Madrid, Spain. Hosted by the University’s Centre of Wellbeing, in partnership with the Robert Schuman Institute, Altius Foundation Spain, and the European Documentation Centre of the Community of Madrid, the event explored one of the defining milestones of European integration: the Maastricht Treaty of 1992.
The summit created a dynamic space for dialogue, learning, and reflection on the Treaty that transformed the European Communities into the European Union and introduced the concept of European citizenship.
The programme opened with welcoming remarks from the organisers and university representatives, who highlighted the objectives of the Past2Future project and the importance of fostering informed civic participation through dialogue on Europe’s shared history and future.
A keynote presentation by the Robert Schuman Institute, titled “The Maastricht Treaty – The Beginning of a New Union,” examined the Treaty’s historic significance and its lasting impact on European citizenship, common policies, and the values that continue to shape the European Union today.
Participants then engaged in a panel discussion, “From Maastricht to Today: What Changed?”, where project partners shared perspectives on how the Treaty influenced their respective countries and how European citizenship has evolved over the past three decades. The discussion encouraged active participation from the audience through questions moderated by university students, creating an open exchange of ideas between experts and participants.
The interactive character of the event continued with small group discussions exploring the legacy of the Maastricht Treaty within local communities. Participants reflected on how European citizenship is experienced in everyday life, discussed current challenges facing European cooperation, and developed proposals for strengthening solidarity and democratic participation across the Union.
The conclusions of these discussions were brought together during the Citizens’ Mosaic, a collaborative activity in which participants contributed their reflections on the values and priorities they believe should guide Europe’s future. This visual exercise demonstrated both the diversity of perspectives and the shared commitment to European cooperation among participants from different countries.
Another highlight of the summit was the Living Archive, showcasing interviews, testimonies, and local research conducted by young people throughout the Past2Future project. These contributions illustrated how the freedoms, opportunities, and rights established through the Maastricht Treaty continue to shape the lives of European citizens today.
The event concluded with the Citizens’ Voice session, offering participants an opportunity to share their personal reflections, hopes, and ideas for the future of the European Union. The closing remarks celebrated not only the achievements of the meeting but also the wider impact of the Past2Future project in promoting active citizenship, intercultural dialogue, and democratic engagement across Europe.
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