Romane Maciel

I am in my final year of business school and at the Institute for International and Strategic Relations (IRIS Sup’), where I am studying for a degree in International Program Management: Humanitarian Aid and Development. I have just completed a two-month volunteer placement with ULB-Coopération, which I undertook voluntarily with the aim of discovering impactful projects and, as a French citizen, learning about the Belgian solidarity ecosystem.

I wanted to understand how a Belgian NGO works, especially a university NGO, learn about North-South projects, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo on health-related topics, and understand the relationships between the various Belgian donors and a Belgian NGO.

During these two months, I had the opportunity to work on developing an advocacy strategy, defining its key stages and putting them into practice as part of a health project in the Democratic Republic of Congo. I also had the chance to experience academic cooperation by helping to organize an event with ARES (Academy of Research and Higher Education) highlighting the societal impact of academic projects.

I really enjoyed working on the creation of an advocacy strategy for ULB-Coopération. I was able to understand the key steps in developing a good advocacy strategy. More specifically, I helped to draft a summary sheet for the teams, which can be used in the future to implement advocacy actions and, for example, highlight the importance of supporting the strengthening of the Congolese health system.

My experience at ULB-Coopération has been very formative. I was lucky enough to join a passionate and motivated team promoting international solidarity around the world. A team that listens and takes the time to answer all the questions a student might have about the sector. I felt that I was trusted, which also motivated me to give my best in every task I undertook!

My expectations were met. I was able to truly understand how an NGO focused on international and multisectoral cooperation works and what challenges it faces. This experience has encouraged me to continue working in the international solidarity sector. In a few months, I will begin an internship with an NGO to develop humanitarian programs in the Sahel. Thanks to ULB-Coopération, I feel equipped to embark on this new adventure.

In addition to working in a supportive team, my managers treated me as a full member of the team, even though I was only there for two months on a part-time basis. I was able to participate in all the meetings that interested me, and my contribution was always welcome. Living in Paris, the ULB-Coopération teams were very flexible and allowed me to adapt my schedule to make my commute easier. I would like to sincerely thank all the teams for their warm welcome and kindness. I learned a lot, of course, but above all I met some inspiring people. Talking with you all was so enriching. Thank you for your trust, your time, and for sharing your experiences with me. I felt comfortable from day one and I realize how valuable this working environment is. I will follow your example in the future. ☺