I’m studying for a Master 1 in Political Science with a major in Public Action and Strategy at the Université Sorbonne Paris Nord.
Before my internship, I wanted to work on projects related to the Democratic Republic of Congo, in particular those promoting women’s rights. At the same time, I was keen to broaden my knowledge in preparation for my research project on rape as a weapon of war in this context. I was particularly attracted by the idea of working in an international cooperation NGO, because I was curious to find out about its dynamics and how it worked.
During my placement, I was able to carry out a number of tasks: I updated and wrote a strategic policy paper on gender and inclusiveness, as part of the renewal of the organisation’s accreditation, I wrote a systematic review of the reports on health projects carried out in North Kivu, and I also took part in team meetings. Writing the systematic review of reports was a particularly interesting task. I had to immerse myself in the health projects in North Kivu, understanding their logical framework and how they operate. This enabled me to really immerse myself in the projects, by talking to the players involved to discern the more or less marked presence of the gender dimension. What fascinated me about this assignment was its practical relevance: the cross-cutting nature of gender in ULB-Coopération’s activities is crucial to promoting equal opportunities for women and men.
Improving practices has been a source of motivation and fulfilment in my work.
My experience at ULB-Coopération has been very pleasant. As soon as I arrived in Belgium, I was warmly welcomed by the team. My placement manager was very understanding, making my transition to Brussels easier. This mutual support from the outset created an atmosphere of mutual trust that was very much appreciated. The atmosphere at head office was one of constant availability. The team was always there to answer my questions and give me the best possible guidance. Working in this environment was synonymous with friendliness, transparency and team spirit, a real source of motivation. What’s more, I was able to appreciate the delegation of tasks, which also testifies to the trust shared within the team.
My expectations during this placement were fully met. I had the opportunity, in my own small way, to contribute to social justice while enriching my understanding of the dynamics in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The team was very collaborative, giving me invaluable support in my research for my dissertation.
While I will certainly be continuing my research on the Democratic Republic of Congo during my next year of Master 2, I would be very interested in the possibility of doing a 6-month field placement with ULB-Coopération, in collaboration with the health project manager, to contribute to her projects in North Kivu and thus deepen my commitment in this field.