An Idea to recommend

by Silvia Righi

Ms. Silvia RIGHI is awarded the grant for an internship in the European Parliament in conclusion of the first edition of the Renzo Imbeni Summer School, 2008.

As, in spring 2008, I discovered that a Summer School on the European Union dedicated to Renzo Imbeni was about to be organised in my hometown, I got curious and immediately looked at the programme and the conditions of admission.

The European Union and the process of integration have always been at the centre of my academic studies and of my interests since 2001, as, still at the high school, I was involved in the national session of the Model European Parliament (MEP), a project in the framework of which students simulate the work of the committees of the European Parliament.

The Summer School “L’Europa delle Idee” presented a really interesting and up-to-date programme, and, as I attended it, it completely fulfilled my expectations: the scholars and practitioners invited to the different panels of discussion were amongst the more acknowledged international experts of the different fields, therefore unsurprisingly the level of the speeches was vey high, and finally the organisation was impeccable.

A fundamental added value offered by  the Summer School was the opportunity given to the 20 selected participants to write a paper after the end of the Summer school and thereby to compete for the assignment of three scholarships and, respectively, three stages at EP and the Committee of Regions. I had the chance to be one of the winners of the stages and I had the possibility to live the experience of working in the multicultural and stimulating environment of the secretariat of the committee of the European Parliament on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs. It allowed me to be at the centre of the decision-making process of the Union, and in particular of the more democratic and dynamic institution and to get in touch with people who really “have made and make” the EU. My tasks within the secretariat included helping the other members with particular dossiers, as well as following public and internal meeting, but at the same time, the fact to be in the Parliament provided several occasions to participate in different events and debates.

Furthermore, the attendance of the Summer school was completely for free, and I think the whole project represents a fruitful and far-seeing investment from the part of the municipality of Modena and the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, actively contributing to the formation of an informed European citizenship. Indeed, the Summer School Renzo Imbeni not only offers a concentrated and deep insight of the most actual themes connected to the EU -thanks to the high profile of the speakers-, but also provides the great opportunity to directly experience the working life in the European institutions.

Concluding I would sincerely recommend the attendance of the Summer School and I warmly thank all the people who have worked for the success of the initiative and its continuation.