UEF Joins Commemoration of Altiero Spinelli’s Legacy 40 Years After His Death
The Union of European Federalists participated in a two-day conference held in Rome on 21 and 22 May 2026 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the death of Altiero Spinelli and to reflect on the enduring relevance of his political vision for Europe.
Entitled “The Legacy and Continuing Relevance of Altiero Spinelli, 40 Years After His Death”, the initiative brought together representatives of European institutions, political parties, academia, civil society and the federalist movement.
The conference was organised by the European Movement Italy and the Movimento Federalista Europeo (here the intervention of the Secretary General of the MFE and EB Member, Roberto Castaldi), in cooperation with the Union of European Federalists, the European Movement International, the Istituto Affari Internazionali, the Il Mulino Association, the Gioventù Federalista Europea, the Young European Federalists, the Spinelli Group, Johns Hopkins University and the European University Institute.
The event was organised with the collaboration of the Italian Chamber of Deputies and the City of Rome, under the patronage of the European Parliament Liaison Office in Italy and the Representation of the European Commission in Italy.
Federalism as a response to Europe’s present challenges
The first day of the conference, hosted at the Italian Chamber of Deputies on 21 May, focused on Spinelli’s intellectual and political legacy and on the role of federalist engagement in contemporary Europe.
Institutional representatives, parliamentarians and members of the federalist movement discussed Spinelli’s contribution to European integration, as well as the responsibility of today’s political and civic actors to continue advancing the project of European unity.
The discussions highlighted the continuing importance of the principles expressed in the Ventotene Manifesto and the need to strengthen Europe’s democratic institutions, political capacity and ability to act collectively.
UEF President Domènec Ruiz Devesa addresses the concluding session
UEF President Domènec Ruiz Devesa participated in the second and concluding day of the conference on 22 May.
During his intervention, Ruiz Devesa reflected on the relevance of Spinelli’s federalist vision in the current political context and on the need to transform the European Union into a more democratic, sovereign and effective federation.
His contribution underlined the importance of institutional reform and stronger European political unity at a time when Europe is confronted with growing geopolitical, security, economic and democratic challenges.
The concluding day also featured contributions from representatives of European and national institutions, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Parliament Vice-Presidents Pina Picierno and Antonella Sberna, Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri, Members of the European Parliament and representatives of the European University Institute, the Istituto Affari Internazionali, the European Movement and federalist youth organisations.
Keeping Spinelli’s political project alive
Forty years after his death, Altiero Spinelli remains one of the central figures of European federalism. His commitment to a united and democratic Europe continues to inspire generations of activists, decision-makers and citizens working to overcome national divisions and strengthen European democracy.
UEF’s participation in the commemoration reaffirmed its commitment to carrying forward Spinelli’s political project and to promoting the federal transformation of the European Union.
The two-day event demonstrated that Spinelli’s legacy is not only part of Europe’s history. It remains a concrete political programme for addressing the challenges of the present and shaping Europe’s future.