Julie Basse

I am a Master’s student in Political Science, specializing in Public Action and Strategy, at Sorbonne Paris Nord University. 

Before my internship, I wanted to work on projects related to the Democratic Republic of Congo, particularly those aimed at promoting women’s rights. At the same time, I was eager to expand my knowledge in order to prepare my research project on rape as a weapon of war in this context. The idea of working for an international cooperation NGO particularly appealed to me, as I was curious to discover its dynamics and how it operated. 

During my internship, I was able to carry out several tasks: I updated and drafted a strategic policy note on gender and inclusivity as part of the accreditation renewal process, I wrote a systematic review of health project reports carried out in North Kivu, and I also participated in team meetings. Writing the systematic review of the 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 work. This allowed me to really get to grips with the projects, talking to the people involved to identify the extent to which gender issues were addressed. What fascinated me about this mission was its practical relevance: the cross-cutting nature of gender in ULB-Coopération’s activities is crucial to promoting equal opportunities and social justice. Improving practices was a particular source of motivation and fulfillment in my work. 

My experience at ULB-Coopération was very enjoyable. From the moment I arrived in Belgium, I was warmly welcomed by the team. My internship supervisor was very understanding, which made my transition to Brussels much easier. This mutual support from the outset created a very welcome atmosphere of mutual trust. The atmosphere at headquarters was one of constant availability. The team was always there to answer my questions and guide me in the best possible way. Working in this environment was synonymous with friendliness, transparency, and team spirit, which was a real source of motivation. In addition, I appreciated the delegation of tasks, which also reflects the shared trust within the team. 

My expectations during this internship were fully met. I had the opportunity, at my own level, to contribute to social justice while enriching my understanding of the dynamics in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The team was very collaborative, providing me with invaluable support in my research for my thesis.  

I will certainly continue my research on the Democratic Republic of Congo during my next year of Master’s 2 studies. In this context, I would be very interested in the possibility of doing a 6-month field internship 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.