EUVP visit story - Ralph Baydoun

                       My Journey with the European Union Visitors Programme

Participating in the European Union Visitors Programme (EUVP) was nothing short of transformative. It offered me a rare opportunity to step behind the curtain of one of the world’s most complex and influential political systems, and to witness, firsthand, how the European Union, with its 27 member states, functions as a truly cohesive whole.

Walking through the corridors of EU institutions, engaging with policymakers, and observing the dynamic exchange between the European Parliament, the Commission, and various partner bodies, I was able to witness how this vast bureaucratic machine functions in practice. What I had once perceived as distant suddenly became tangible and human. The EU was no longer just a structure of treaties and policies, it was people, ideas, and an ongoing conversation about values, cooperation, and shared progress.

For someone coming from the private sector, the experience was particularly eye-opening. I discovered that many of the tools, processes, and technologies we apply at home are not only comparable to those of the EU, but in some ways even ahead of the curve. This realisation brought both gratitude and confidence, a reminder that meaningful innovation and progress are possible everywhere, and that partnerships with the EU can amplify that potential.

Yet beyond the impressive frameworks and institutional efficiency, what made the greatest impact on me were the human connections. Every conversation, whether with an official, a policy advisor, or a fellow participant, carried lessons and insights that cannot be found in reports or documents. Sharing perspectives, exchanging contacts, and engaging in genuine dialogue created bridges that transcend professional titles. These encounters reminded me that collaboration begins with curiosity and grows through trust.

What also stood out was the level of dedication invested in these visits. Every meeting and agenda point represented significant preparation and coordination. It was clear that the EU treats dialogue with partners outside its borders not as ceremony but as an essential component of its outreach and foreign-policy architecture.

Diplomacy, after all, is never a one-way street. It is a dialogue; a continuous exchange built on trust and shared understanding. As neighbours in the same global landscape, our futures are inevitably intertwined, and collaboration is not a choice but a responsibility.

To borrow the words of Jean Monnet, “Nothing is possible without people; nothing is lasting without institutions.” Through the EUVP, I saw how the European Union brings both together, building bridges between people, ideas, and futures, while extending a hand for a partnership rooted in cooperation, respect, and progress.