The event went really well with 26 eager and enthusiastic participants. The discussion was lively, at times too detailed since the group consisted of students from Environmental areas who offered solutions to questions posed.

All showed willingness to change habits and stressed the importance of citizen awareness, participation and eco-education. In fact, environmental education was voted the most important idea/factor for the future of sustainable Environment.

Students did not portrait extreme pessimism or unkind views about the future of the environment or the contribution of the EU. However, they agreed that information was not enough and that we (the EU and the institutions) should communicate better and more.

One issue that was discussed was the local decision to drag the Sado river to allow for the export of vehicles produced by AutoEuropa (VW group). Students showed concern about the impact of the decision and that local and national authorities seemed not to have carried out an impact assessment of the dragging of the river.