Successful EDS Skills Training in Brussels
We are thrilled to inform you that the recent EDS Skills Training in Brussels, held from September 26-28, 2024, was a resounding success. The event kicked off at the EDS HQ with a warm welcome speech from our Chairman, Francesco Sismondini, who emphasized the significance of this first event and the importance of acquiring new skills. He noted that EDS is only as strong as its members and that we will continue to offer tailored workshops in the future to ensure we achieve the best results. We were happy to have the Welcome Dinner, graciously hosted by KAS Europe at Brasserie Carpe Diem, where we engaged in fruitful discussions about future collaboration and the potential for a joint event next year. We sincerely thank KAS Europe for their hospitality and continuous support.
On Friday, our participants had a unique opportunity to deepen their understanding of the EU institutions, develop policy writing skills, and explore cutting-edge innovations from top companies. During our visit to the Berlaymont, the headquarters of the European Commission, we had an informative meeting with Mr. Toma Šutić, a cabinet member of Vice-President Dubravka Šuica, who provided us with insights into the Vice-President’s work over the past five years, particularly focusing on Democracy and Demography. We learned about the division of duties, hierarchical oversight, and the complexity involved in decision-making processes, particularly by the College of Commissioners. A highlight of the tour was seeing the historical first table on the 13th floor, where the initial Commissioners of the European Coal and Steel Community sat—a symbolic moment in European history.
Throughout the day, participants engaged in workshops designed to improve key skills:
- Policy Writing and Analysis Workshop led by Vice-Chairman Filip Gajić, which enhanced our abilities to craft concise, impactful policy briefs and utilize AI tools like ChatGPT for initial drafts. Vice-Chairwoman Marina Christaki joined this session, where she spoke about organizational visibility and led a practical session on creating and filming Reels to improve our digital outreach.
- BullsEye Magazine Writing Online Workshop led by Editor-in-Chief Charlie Crumpton and Vice-Chairman Sotiris Paphitis, which focused on editorial skills, using AI in editing, and the effective use of media and visuals for engaging articles.
In addition to these sessions, we visited Meta Belgium, where we engaged in fascinating discussions about the thin line between censorship and combating disinformation, the company's strategies, and Mark Zuckerberg’s open letter on this issue. We also explored Meta’s approach to data privacy and AI development. The visit was interactive, with hands-on experience trying out their Meta Oculus 3 and Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses, which have the exciting capability to simultaneously translate languages, a groundbreaking innovation in communication technology.
The event concluded with a celebration at Pop-Up Sablon, where we enjoyed a dinner and celebrated the birthday of our dear colleague, Marina Christaki.
Furthermore, the day after the event, Vice-Chairwoman Chayenne Cachia Riolo and our Chairman Francesco Sismondini attended the Political Assembly of the EPP, where they proudly presented the work we have accomplished since the Summer University, showcasing the impact of our initiatives and future plans. They also had the opportunity to meet with Glenn Micallef, the Commissioner-designate for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport, where we discussed important topics such as mental health.
We believe that this rich experience, filled with learning, collaboration, and innovation, will inspire us to work even harder in the coming months, and we remain optimistic about the bright future ahead.
See you soon in Brussels!
