The seventh event of the project “30 Years of Maastricht: Reflections on the Past, Present, and Future of Europe” took place in Fort de France, Martinique (France), from May 11 to 14, 2025. This meeting brought together over 60 participants, including European countries—Lithuania, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Malta, Bulgaria, Italy—as well as numerous local citizens from France. The event focused on the theme “Fighting Fake News and Manipulation in Our Democracy,” emphasizing the importance of digital literacy and critical thinking to safeguard democratic values.
The main objectives were to highlight the risks of misinformation, share effective strategies for identifying and counteracting fake news, and promote European citizenship through direct interaction and dialogue. Specific goals included fostering exchanges between European delegates and local community members, encouraging critical media literacy, and deepening participants' understanding of democracy and the legacy of the Maastricht Treaty.
Delegations participating included the Municipality of Moletai (Lithuania), Asociación Tiraboleiros (Spain), União das Freguesias de Foz do Sousa e Covelo (Portugal), Dimos Pileias Hortiatis (Greece), Local Council Tas Sliema (Malta), Obstina Mezdra (Bulgaria), Tumbarinos di Gavoi and Comune di Gallodoro (Italy), and Association La Didine (France). The diverse group comprised teachers, students, civic leaders, political representatives, and members of local associations.
The event featured a rich and interactive program:
Sunday, May 11:
- Arrival and welcome dinner with participant introductions.
Monday, May 12:
- Opening speeches at Lycée Général et Technologique de Bellevue by Principal Raymond Alger and Deputy Mayor of Moletai Vaida Saugüniené.
- Conference on “The role of social networks in the manipulation of EU citizenship” with presentations by representatives from Bulgaria, France, Greece, and Italy (Sardinia).
- Visit to the Territorial Assembly of Martinique, including a welcoming address by Vice President Jean-Claude Duverger and a presentation of the project's objectives.
- Cultural tour of Fort-de-France, including visits to Fort Saint Louis and Saint Louis Cathedral.
Tuesday, May 13:
- Welcoming remarks by the Mayor of Fort-de-France, Didier Laguerre.
- Exchange of good practices session at Lycée Victor Schoelcher: "Strategies and solutions to fight fake news in a democracy" with contributions from Italy (Sicily), Lithuania, Malta, Portugal, and Spain.
- Student presentations sharing common experiences.
- Cultural exploration at the local Spice Market and other significant historical sites.
- Evening evaluation session and awarding of participation certificates.
Wednesday, May 14:
Throughout the event, participants actively engaged in seminars and discussions highlighting the dangers of misinformation, especially its impact on democratic processes. Practical strategies discussed included promoting critical thinking in schools, transparent algorithms, media literacy education, and collaboration between citizens and institutions to mitigate manipulation on digital platforms.
Cultural experiences, traditional cuisine, and institutional visits provided a valuable immersion into Martinican society, enhancing connections among European participants and local communities. The event received positive evaluations, particularly for its thematic relevance, participatory nature, and organization. Dissemination activities through local press, social media, and radio interviews ensured widespread visibility of the project’s goals and outcomes.
Overall, the event in Martinique successfully emphasized the critical need for digital literacy as an essential element of contemporary European citizenship, demonstrating effective strategies to combat fake news and reinforcing the significance of democratic values inspired by the Maastricht Treaty.
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