Inside the Brussels bubble: Two reviews of the JCI EUKHT

We asked two participants of the 2018 JCI European Know-How Transfer to tell us about their overall experience. Read their stories here:

 

 "No woman, no panel"

“No woman, no panel” took my full attention during my visit of the European Parliament. I was trying to find out what it means in this context. I got my answer when in one of the committee meetings I was visiting, the chair mentioned that at the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality no voting will take place if there is an insufficient number of women participating at the meeting that have a voting right. Now it was getting even more exciting!

I was shadowing Ms. Vilija Blinkeviciute, a great leader from my home country Lithuania and chair of the Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality of the European Parliament. During our open conversations we touched the ground of women’s situation in the EU and discussed topics like domestic violence, economic life standards and life quality while living much longer than men, maternity and paternity leave, and equal pay.

The week full of insights while meeting JCI members from over ten countries was very special. Not only did we get introduced to the work of the European Commission and had the opportunity to learn more about the EU Parliament from inside, we also learned how to pitch ourselves and JCI Europe to prepare for meeting our MEPs.

Furthermore, Brussels is a very lively city and it's worth discovering many of its cultural and historical facets. I was especially impressed by the European Parliament building with its interactive, modern, creative installations. Besides, Parlamentarium - the visitor’s center of the European Parliament - conveyed a broader understanding of the development of the European Union and made it very personal. Now I feel as a member of a European family.

Not to forget the culinary tastes Brussels contribute! My veins were shipping waffles, hot chocolate and fries like crazy! It’s impossible to resist this tempting trio!

The program itself helped us participants to get closer to real issues of Europe showing that being active, we can take part in creating positive changes together. I would encourage more people to participate in the European Know How Transfer – for myself, I will definitely come back again!

Jurate Jurginyte, JCI Sostinė, Lithuania

 Discovering European institutions and creating lasting memories

Being at the heart of the European Union, shadowing a Member of the European Parliament, listening to the European anthem in the Parliament, meeting new friends from all over European local chapters and sharing incredible thrills… this is what I have experienced during my participation at the JCI European Know-How Transfer this year.

Throughout my week in Brussels I had the opportunity to learn more about how the European Parliament and the European Commission operate on a daily basis by meeting people who work there. It was very rewarding to understand and see how decision-making processes are happening on the European level.

Moreover, I really enjoyed spending an entire day with Mr. Michel Dantin, a French MEP since 2009 and member of both the Committee on Agricultural and Rural Development and the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety. The shadowing of a MEP in his daily routines to get a sense of both his role and impact inside this institution is a unique experience you can get thanks to this JCI event. Also, it gives you the opportunity to advocate for JCI values and to inform MEPs about our national projects. 

Beside the shadowing experience, I was fortunate to participate, together with two other JCI friends from France, in the European Parliament for Enterprises. This event organized by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) grants young entrepreneurs and leaders from all over Europe the opportunity to ask questions to MEPs, debate and vote on economic and employment matters inside the European Parliament hemicycle like real MEPs. Another highlight for me were the several speeches, especially one delivered by Mr. Antonio Tajani, the President of the European Parliament, and another one by Mr. Michel Barnier, the Brexit’s Chief negotiator. It was inspiring to listen to those speeches on Europe’s future prospects and challenges. 

Those five days were really intense, but I recommend to all the future lucky participants to play the game by attending as much activities as possible offered by this event. During the day you will discover the European institutions and during the evening you will meet new JCI friends and create lasting memories.

Therefore, the JCI Know-How Transfer program will stay with me for a long time. I feel re-boosted as a European active citizen, and I look forward to experiencing other events of that kind with JCI Europe.

Carole Menard, JCI Paris, France

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