A Window to the EU Institutions, Policies and Value Systems

I am filled with personal as well as professional satisfaction as I write this blogpost for the European Union Visitors Programme (EUVP). As a recent alumnus of the Programme, my experience has been nothing short of a milestone in my professional journey.

Deepened Understanding of EU Institutions: In my current role, as Chief Policy Adviser with the Office of Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India (OPSA), my responsibilities include providing policy level insights and knowledge support to various domestic as well as international initiatives. The EU is a key international partner in many of our engagements. The EUVP provided me with an opportunity to deepen my understanding of the EU’s institutions, policies, stakeholders, functioning and value systems. 

Science at the Core of EU Policy Process: Science Advice and Evidence plays a critical role in EU’s policy process at all levels. As I chose “science advice, policy and diplomacy” as the focus of my study visit, I had the opportunity to gain insights on how scientific research and technological innovations form a foundational building block to the EU's development priorities. The cross-cutting nature of the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre’s (JRC) activities bring science, scientists, and scientific knowledge to the centre stage of the decision-making process. There is great learning demonstrated by the Commission’s elaborate Science Advice Mechanism (SAM) and the renewed focus on EU-wide Science Diplomacy strategy.

The EUVP certainly opens up opportunities for extended and sustained engagement. For instance, one of the positive results from my engagement during the EUVP was organising an online OPSA-JRC knowledge exchange event on technology foresight, which successfully took place on 18 June 2024. This event helped to facilitate and promote long-term, deeper collaborations between the expert communities of India and the EU. 

Timeless Beauty of Brussels: On a personal front, the experience in Brussels was one of the best. As my visit took place during the Christmas season, the decorations around the historic locations of the city made the evenings dream-like. The program organisers from the EUVP team are some of the friendliest people one could meet. They (especially Julius and Jonas, during my visit) made the trip entirely wholesome by ensuring the best social and cultural experiences in the evenings.

Enhanced Perspectives and Professional Development: The connections which I made because of this programme demonstrate that the EUVP is one of the finest public diplomacy instruments with a meaningful impact. The key highlight is the tailor-made, individualistic approach followed for each visitor’s programme, based on their interests, expertise, and relevance to the ecosystem. I congratulate the European Union for the effective implementation, especially the EUVP team for their commitment and efforts. I look forward to engaging further with the EUVP team and alumni network in India, as well as globally, in contributing to the true spirit of the programme.