World Youth Skills Day: insights from my internship in the heart of Europe’s energy sector

Mehdi Runjanally, Communications Intern, nucleareurope

In May 2024, Mehdi Runjanally joined the nucleareurope team as a Communications Intern. On the occasion of World Youth Skills Day, he reflects on his experience working in Brussels with nucleareurope.

On 15 July, World Youth Skills Day, which celebrates the training of young workers and promotes the role of sustainable development, I would like to give an overview of my internship at nucleareurope. Coming directly from Montreal (Canada) and completing my master’s degree in political communication and European studies at the Free University of Brussels, I believe that there has never been a better time to understand the role of nuclear power.

My role at nucleareurope

During my time at nucleareurope, at the heart of the EU bubble, I was very fortunate to work with a small, but atomic team (Ba-da-dum-tseee)! With the European elections and the energy crisis looming, the timing could not be more appropriate to discover the role of a trade association and learn how the secretariat defends the sector’s interests, but ultimately understand how nuclear energy fits into the wider context of Europe’s energy transition. As someone from across the Atlantic, this was also my first experience following a European election. It was fascinating to discover how Member States juggle power dynamics, ideology, and national interests while working to the benefit of all EU citizens.

As a matter of fact, one of my first missions as an intern was to monitor the European elections. Looking at the political programmes of the different national parties across Europe, I found it very interesting to find that countries have completely different opinions and attitudes toward nuclear despite their geographical proximity. While some governments in the northern part of Europe focus on developing nuclear power, some in the south concentrate on decommissioning it. In this puzzling continent, opinions on nuclear energy are rarely neutral; they tend to be strongly positive or negative.

Nevertheless, despite the very tense political climate, the communications team is doing an amazing job of clearly and engagingly communicating the importance of nuclear power to policymakers, journalists and the public. One quote from my manager that really stuck with me is “Nuclear is more than just power” as it beautifully captures how nuclear is also about the global and local economy, workers, research, health, agriculture and, most importantly, the environment.

Soft skills and Cross-Cultural Communication

As a Canadian, one of the best parts of my internship was working with an international team. I was lucky enough to collaborate with colleagues from all over Europe, each bringing their unique backgrounds but sharing the same passion for nuclear energy. Transitioning from a North American to a European working culture, I was impressed by how so many different identities could create a respectful and cohesive work environment. Ironically, I also learned that a significant number of my colleagues are interested in Canada and how the Great White North can contribute to the nuclear industry.

If navigating acronyms, customs and working culture was difficult at first, other administrative mysteries such as the rules from the IAEA, the GDPR and the complex Belgian internship agreement were even more daunting. However, at the end of the day, I felt rewarded and happy that my work had added value to the team.

In three months, I had opportunities to make new connections. From various events at Friends of Europe, to a crash course about EU institutions, or even a special team-building event in France, I had unique opportunities to connect with various members of the sector, exchange different opinions, forge professional relationships, and gain valuable insights into the industry.

Reflexion on World Youth Skills Day

World Youth Skills Day was established by the United Nations in 2014 to emphasize the importance of providing young people with opportunities and equipping them with the skills and knowledge they need to tackle global challenges. Whether you’re in Canada or somewhere in Europe, we all share the same world and the ambition to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

My internship at nucleareurope was invaluable in this regard. From a communication standpoint, I’ve learned that both soft and hard skills are essential not only for fostering positive relationships among stakeholders, but also for effectively conveying information about the nuclear sector, which is crucial for advancing our commitment to a low-carbon future.

As I look ahead to the next stages of my career, I’m excited by the prospect of putting into practice what I’ve learned, whether it’s navigating the EU bubble, understanding European policies, or the importance of sustainable development.