Let’s say you are a civil servant from one of the MENA region’s line ministries. You have been working with EU partner programmes for the last couple of years, but you still have the feeling that you could get more out of the cooperation. You ask yourself questions like ‘Am I talking to the right people?’, ‘Who else is involved?’ or –more practically-  ‘Why are they not responding to my emails?’.  Even for representatives from EU-member states, Brussels can be a tangle of lingo, legislation and lobbyists. Professionals from MENA countries working on EU related issues should certainly be well equipped for EU interest management.

The link between theory and practice

That is exactly the aim of this two week course organized by the Clingendael Academy for 21 civil servants from Morocco, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt and Jordan. The participants were selected to expand their knowledge, skills and network in Brussels. Central to the course is the strong link between theory and practice. The first couple of days were filled with interactive lectures on EU institutions, discussions with experts and a role playing simulation of EU decision making processes. On Thursday participants travelled to the ‘heart of the EU’ to have small group discussions on several issues regarding EU cooperation. 

After a meeting with professionals who work in Brussels at the Netherlands Permanent Representation, one of the participants commented: “It is good to have a chance to actually meet people from the institutions face to face and discuss our issues with them”.  Needless to say, a lot of business cards were exchanged and new contacts were made. 

Looking ahead

Though the first week of the course is now at an end, participants can look forward to November, when the second week of the course will take place in Tunisia. There, the group will focus on acquiring the skills necessary to effectively manage their interests in Brussels. Please check the Clingendael website regularly for updates about the group and next year’s session of this course. 

Interested in participating in a Clingendael course? Have a look at our open registration programme.

22 September 2014