December 2, 2025 • 20 mins
🎙 Youth Voices at ALDA – Inside the Volunteering Experience
What does it mean to volunteer within an international organisation working on participation and local democracy?
In this episode of Shades of Democracy, we dive deep into the experience of the young people who join ALDA each year through the Italian Civil Service (Servizio Civile Universale) — a programme that places volunteers in ALDA’s offices across Europe, where they become fully integrated members of the team.
Listeners will hear from nine volunteers based in Brussels and Strasbourg, as they share their first impressions, the challenges they encountered, and the moments that shaped their understanding of participation and democracy in practice. From project work to field missions, from learning new skills to navigating international environments, their reflections offer a sincere and insightful look into this experience.
💬 Guest: Valeria Picchi, former volunteer of the 2024–2025 cycle and now part of ALDA’s staff, joins Manal to reflect on her journey — what surprised her, what she learned, and how this experience continues to influence her work today.
🎧 Tune in to discover:
• What volunteering at ALDA looks like behind the scenes
• How young people experience participation through everyday work
• Why volunteering can be understood as a democratic experience
• How democracy is lived in practice within a European network
This episode is a tribute to the volunteers who contribute their curiosity, dedication, and perspectives to ALDA each year — and a reminder that democracy is strengthened through active engagement and shared responsibility.
Useful links:
Italian Civil Service at ALDA ➡️ https://www.alda-europe.eu/universal-civil-service-at-alda-2025/
Servizio Civile Universale ➡️ https://www.politichegiovanili.gov.it/
ALDA Website ➡️ https://www.alda-europe.eu/resources/shades-of-democracy-season-4/
What does it mean to volunteer within an international organisation working on participation and local democracy?
In this episode of Shades of Democracy, we dive deep into the experience of the young people who join ALDA each year through the Italian Civil Service (Servizio Civile Universale) — a programme that places volunteers in ALDA’s offices across Europe, where they become fully integrated members of the team.
Listeners will hear from nine volunteers based in Brussels and Strasbourg, as they share their first impressions, the challenges they encountered, and the moments that shaped their understanding of participation and democracy in practice. From project work to field missions, from learning new skills to navigating international environments, their reflections offer a sincere and insightful look into this experience.
💬 Guest: Valeria Picchi, former volunteer of the 2024–2025 cycle and now part of ALDA’s staff, joins Manal to reflect on her journey — what surprised her, what she learned, and how this experience continues to influence her work today.
🎧 Tune in to discover:
• What volunteering at ALDA looks like behind the scenes
• How young people experience participation through everyday work
• Why volunteering can be understood as a democratic experience
• How democracy is lived in practice within a European network
This episode is a tribute to the volunteers who contribute their curiosity, dedication, and perspectives to ALDA each year — and a reminder that democracy is strengthened through active engagement and shared responsibility.
Useful links:
Italian Civil Service at ALDA ➡️ https://www.alda-europe.eu/universal-civil-service-at-alda-2025/
Servizio Civile Universale ➡️ https://www.politichegiovanili.gov.it/
ALDA Website ➡️ https://www.alda-europe.eu/resources/shades-of-democracy-season-4/
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:18):
Hello, and welcome back to Shapes of Democracy, the podcast
by ALDA where we explore stories, ideas and voices shaping
participation across Europe and beyond. I am Anal, your host,
and today's episode is very special. It celebrates a community
that brings new energy, curiosity, and humanity into ALDA each year,
(00:40):
the young people who join us through the Italian Civil
Service known in Italy as the Service civilo Universale at ALDA,
the Italian Civil Service is more than a volunteering program.
Every year, young people from Italy join our offices across
Europe and become full integrated members of our teams, supporting projects,
(01:00):
taking party missions, contributing to local democracy initiatives, and experiencing
firsthand how European cooperation works in practice. The program gives
them the opportunity to acquire concrete skills, explore international work environments,
and grow both personally and professionally, while contributing directly to
(01:21):
alda's mission of strengthening participation, inclusion and democratic governance. And
before anything else, a little personal note, I actually begin
my own journey in ALDA through the Civil Service myself,
so hosting this episode feels a bit like coming home.
In the next minutes, we will hear from nine volunteers
(01:42):
currently based in our Brussels and Strasbourg offices. They share
their first impressions, their challenges, and how this experience is
shaping the way they understand participation and democracy. And joining
me today is someone who knows this journey very well.
Valeria Piki, a volunteer from the twenty twenty four twenty
twenty five cycle now part of the ALDA team. Welcome,
(02:03):
vallet Hi, thank you for having me. Let's start out
with the basics. We asked each volunteer to introduce themselves
in just a few words.
Speaker 2 (02:13):
I'm on Brodo. I work in like a project designer
here in Brasel office and in Youth department and Digital Department.
Speaker 3 (02:24):
My name is Anna. I work in the Brassel office
in the project implementation department and I'm working on the
migration hub.
Speaker 4 (02:32):
My name is Jovanni and I work in ALDA in
the Brasel's office and I'm part of the implementation team.
Speaker 5 (02:41):
Hello, my name is Triana. I work for Other's office
in Strasbourg in the development department.
Speaker 6 (02:46):
Thank you Manal for having us. My name is Harry
and I work in ALDA Brosel's office and I work
as assistant project manager in Youth Empartment and Education Hub.
Speaker 4 (02:58):
Hello.
Speaker 2 (02:58):
I'm Jakopo, work in the Secretary office and I'm supporting
right now the Youthub and also the Environment and Climate
Ub in the Brassels office.
Speaker 7 (03:11):
I'm Lucia. I am a civic service volunteer in the
Communications department of ALDA and I'm based in the office
of Strasbourg.
Speaker 8 (03:19):
I'm Margrita. I work at ALDA at the Implementation Department
in the Territorial and Local Development Unit in Brussel.
Speaker 9 (03:29):
Hello everyone, I'm Marianna. I work in project design in
Migration Art and I'm right now at the Strasburg office
of ALDAMA.
Speaker 1 (03:41):
Valeria. You arrived in ALDA last year as a volunteer
and you're not part of the team. Do you remember
your very first week in the Brussels office. What did
you feel like to step into this environment for the
first time?
Speaker 10 (03:53):
Okay, yeah, I remember my beginning within ALDA very well. Actually,
the main thing I remember is that we were because
I was with my civil service colleagues and we were
super welcome from the Russell office since the first day.
And yes, that's the feeling that I remember from the beginning,
(04:16):
so we were super welcome and the environment was super friendly.
And I remember that within our first week we had
a very funny team building activity, so it was super
It really helped the to became quickly part of the team.
Speaker 1 (04:34):
Of course we always are happy to do funny things.
Also we did work environment. We need to make the
team stronger and stronger, especially to welcome new people. And
in your experience, what makes the volunteering and journey at
ALDA unique, what makes it different from any other placements.
Speaker 10 (04:52):
I believe that the civil service at ALDA is truly
unique in the civil service tunities landscape because other is
a large organization, it is organized with offices in different countries.
So working with ALDA you truly experience what what does
(05:14):
it mean to work at the European level, and especially
working working in Brussel for as it was my experience,
I think is it really is a unique environment to
work in because you really feel you are at the
(05:37):
core of the European Union. And yeah, it's a very
special location to work and to experience what does it
mean working in an energy or at the European level.
Speaker 1 (05:48):
So I totally agree. I think that's also the feeling
I had the first time I arrived in Alden Brussels. Indeed,
and we also asked our volunteers of this year what
has been the most interesting part of their experience so far,
So the moments that made them grow, think, or simply
enjoy being part of the team, as you said, Valet,
(06:08):
so let's hear what they said.
Speaker 3 (06:10):
For sure, it has been taking part to missions and
overseeing the work on fields and in interacting with the
different stakeholders.
Speaker 4 (06:20):
In my opinion, what I really like is that I
am getting the possibility to do different types of work.
Every day. I'm supporting two different projects and at the
same time I'm also editing the news better for the
hub I'm working at. And yes, so I think multitasking
(06:40):
it's the most interesting part.
Speaker 8 (06:41):
I would say my colleagues, my new colleagues and flatmates
and people that i've met.
Speaker 1 (06:55):
So working in an international organization always brings surprises. Apparently
some are more expected, some are unexpected. Here's what's strut
doubt for our volunteers in their first six months.
Speaker 5 (07:09):
That's a difficult one. I think the way.
Speaker 6 (07:12):
The reality of the working in Brussels is shaved maybe
all around Europe is very different from how I felt here.
I think I felt very welcoming by my colleagues here.
The atmosphere was super nice, so I didn't really feel
that I'm working at a place where life is so
fast paced and it can be difficult. But yeah, for me,
(07:36):
it was very slow and like very nice welcoming beginning,
and that really made me feel feel at home.
Speaker 5 (07:44):
The most surprising aspect of my work from the earliest
months has been feeling very much included in Alda with
my colleagues in Strasbourg, and most of all in every
aspect of the work of my department and in my
hubor right away.
Speaker 2 (07:55):
How complex the organization is actually so.
Speaker 9 (08:02):
During the first month, I was surprised by how collaborative
and attentive the environment is. People really listen to each other.
There is a strong sense of empathy among colleagues, and
you can really really feel a shared alignment in both
ideas and values.
Speaker 1 (08:17):
Okay, now, Valeria, to you, what surprised you the most
during your ear and something that didn't quite match your
expectations on the other side.
Speaker 10 (08:30):
So I think that the whole experience at the end
quite met my expectations. So I wanted to learn how
to do project management, and in fact I did, but
the process of learning was quite surprising every day, because yeah,
(08:52):
you learn to do a lot of different tasks at
the same time. Every day, maybe there are some unexpected
does that pop up and so you you really experience
also how to muh. You really like all your skills
of problem solving, of adapting and flexibility. But it's super
(09:17):
useful and really helps you to grow both professionally and personally.
Speaker 1 (09:21):
Thanks a lot. So I would say that the surprise
and not surprise are in the same issue here and
now talking about challenges, also, I think describing all that
in only three words is a challenge. I did ask
our volunteers to do it, and here's what they came
(09:42):
up with.
Speaker 6 (09:44):
Family, community and active participation.
Speaker 3 (09:47):
Challenging, diverse, and inspiring.
Speaker 5 (09:52):
So far, I would describe it as stimulating, interesting and inclusive.
Speaker 6 (09:56):
Challenging, I would say, for sure, fruit and very exploitative.
Speaker 2 (10:02):
I would say absolutely nice, difficult and new to me.
Speaker 7 (10:10):
My experience in the Department of ALDA is all about creativity,
pro activity and enthusiasm.
Speaker 8 (10:15):
I would say exciting, challenging new people. Even it's two wards.
Speaker 9 (10:22):
If one of my experience in ouders being dynamic, inclusive
and motivating.
Speaker 4 (10:25):
I would say so the three words that I will
choose describe my experience in ALDA will be multitasking, projects
and Europe.
Speaker 1 (10:39):
So definitely we can say challenges are part of any
meaningfully learning experience. And also talking about challenges, here's how
some of them faced the challenges they had and what
helped them then move forward.
Speaker 3 (10:55):
Interacting with different stakeholders and modeling myself like depending on
the person that I'm talking with and the texts that
I have to do, and I overcame it, like just
talking freely with my supervisor and receiving guidance and counseling
by the people like.
Speaker 8 (11:15):
Working with me, I think, being responsible for new activities
that I've never done, and trying to find a way
to find a solution and find creative solutions.
Speaker 7 (11:30):
The biggest challenge is about speaking French with colleagues and
other organizations in Strasbourg. I studied it, but I also
have to improve it. So sometimes we speak about very
interesting topics or about the art that's work in general,
and I always do an effort. But this challenge is
also an opportunity for me because it pushes me to
(11:51):
study it and to roll myself in a French course
in the evening.
Speaker 1 (12:00):
And on your side, Valeria, what was the biggest challenge
of your ear and what helped you navigate it well?
Speaker 10 (12:06):
Probably adapting to working with Alda itself was a challenge
maybe at the beginning. And also as I said, I
mean like learn how to deal different simultaneously. But I
think that a big party is learning by doing, of course,
(12:30):
but on the other side, you are always you always
have the support of your colleague, colleagues, more and more
expert colleagues that can help you.
Speaker 1 (12:42):
And can support you.
Speaker 10 (12:43):
And so yeah, I really felt like I could ask
anything and someone from the office could help me, and
so it was super useful. And a big party is
learning by doing, but it is very good way to learn,
I think.
Speaker 1 (13:02):
Yeah, you said the word learning by doing is the
thing in all so for sure, volunteers, in terns or
whoever joins newly the team, let's say it doesn't follow
the cliche of like doing photocopies or anything. It's really
learning by doing. So you've learned up your skins. And
if you could give one piece of advice to the
(13:22):
volunteers who will begin their journey with all that in
the next years, or to the ones who are doing
it now, what would it be.
Speaker 10 (13:30):
I would say, don't be afraid to speak, to say
your idea, to share your ideas and your thoughts on
the thing you discussed with your colleagues, because in my
experience we were always very welcome, our ideas were always
very welcomed and chicken seriously, and so I think it
(13:54):
is a very is a very nice thing learner to
express yourself and from that you can also grow and learn.
And yeah, on the other side, since you're in Brassel,
to enjoy as much as possible every opportunity you have,
(14:14):
because there are a lot of events, of initiatives and
activities in Brassel, and I think it's very nice to
use this year also for these experiences.
Speaker 1 (14:25):
And of course we're not forgetting about the Strasbourg people.
It's just both of us are based in Brussels. Out
of coincidence.
Speaker 10 (14:32):
I'm thinking for my personal experience, so Brassel is in
my mind. But of course, yeah, I mean I was
also in Strasbourg in Strasbourg the last year to of
course to visit the other girls and also that city,
I think you really feel to be in the European
Union and it's really an active city, lively city.
Speaker 1 (14:52):
Yes, yeah, I think we have two wonderful locations to
send our volunteers each year too, and indeed you feel
the environment is participative and inclusive around you. And talking
about participation, which is at the core of Alda's mission,
of course, I wanted to ask our volunteers what does
(15:15):
it look like participation in everyday work, and so some
of them reflected on this question and here's what they answered.
Speaker 4 (15:24):
I think that participation means being an active member not
only of my work in ALDA, but an active member
in society.
Speaker 9 (15:37):
Participation means being actively engaged in the work I do
and in the environment around me. So sharing ideas, bring
an active listener, bring an active listener, staying open and
most of all, working collaboratively with a positive altitude. I
think these are the key elements to achieve shit goals.
Speaker 1 (16:00):
Last, but not least, we ask some of them whether
this experience has changed so far they're understanding of how
democracy works in practice?
Speaker 6 (16:11):
Well, for sure, it has changed my understanding of how
democracy works, but also how much work like people put behind,
you know, this whole process. I mean, working in an
organization like ALDA, you get to really see and meet
and see the work of the people that they are doing,
you know, like day and night, to connect with the
(16:32):
different members from all around the Europe to really strengthen
the democracy at the local level and what democracy and
what the democratic values mean to the people working with ALDA.
And so this is something that I really got to
experience from very very close closely and really something that
inspired me and for sure saved my understanding about democracy
in a new way.
Speaker 7 (16:54):
Yes, I'm learning a lot with ALDA. In particular, I'm
understanding how challenging is community gating such an important value
and making a message arrive to those who are not
interested in the topic. So, for example, when you work
on raising awareness campaigns, it is easy to write to
people who are already interested, but the real challenge is
(17:14):
reaching those who are not.
Speaker 2 (17:16):
It really made me understand how difficult, how complex, how
many actors there are, and yeah, it's quite it's quite
complex in reality, Valeria.
Speaker 1 (17:39):
After leaving this experience from the inside, what does democracy
mean to you now? In practical terms, I.
Speaker 10 (17:46):
Would say two many words for me, So participation and inclusiveness.
So engage people and include them in participating. Actually so
in sharing their ideas and connecting with people. And yeah,
for me, after my experience, democracy is really this, So
(18:11):
connect with people and participate.
Speaker 1 (18:15):
Thank you very much. I think this is a great
way actually to end this episode today and keep in
mind these words, and as we are closing this episode,
I think one message stands out very clearly. Volunteering is
not simply a year of service in this case, but
it is really a democratic experience in all its forms,
(18:36):
and of course touching a lot upon participation, inclusiveness, and connection,
as you just said, valid So through the voices of
our volunteers, we heard how participation takes shape in the
every day, in meetings, in teamwork and learning how to collaborate,
and in discovering what it truly means to contribute to
something larger than oneself. The reflections remind us that democracy
(19:00):
is not abstract. It is lived through relationships, through active engagement,
and through the willingness to listen, adapt and grow. For
many of them, these experience challenged the assumptions, revealed the
complexity behind democratic processes, and showed how much invisible work
is needed to make participation real, whether at local, national,
(19:23):
or European level, and perhaps that is the most powerful
takeaway today. Democracy is strengthened by people who choose to
get involved, to show up, to learn, and to work
together with empathy and intention. So a very warm thank
you to Valeria for joining us this is a conversation,
and of course also to all our volunteers for sharing
(19:43):
their stories with honesty and openness. Thank you Ali for
being here.
Speaker 10 (19:47):
Thank you Manal, thank you for having me, and of.
Speaker 1 (19:51):
Course if you have thoughts, reflections or experiences you'd like
to share with us, we would be happy to hear
from you. So this was Shades of Democracy. To learn
more about the topics discussed, you can find links in
the episode description and don't forget to follow us also
on social media and until next time, stay connected, stay engaged,
and keep shaping the future of democracy. You can find
(20:14):
our podcast on Spotify, Sprecker, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Deezer,
and of course on Alda's website. Till next time, Bye bye,
Hello, and welcome back to Shapes of Democracy, the podcast
by ALDA where we explore stories, ideas and voices shaping
participation across Europe and beyond. I am Anal, your host,
and today's episode is very special. It celebrates a community
that brings new energy, curiosity, and humanity into ALDA each year,
(00:40):
the young people who join us through the Italian Civil
Service known in Italy as the Service civilo Universale at ALDA,
the Italian Civil Service is more than a volunteering program.
Every year, young people from Italy join our offices across
Europe and become full integrated members of our teams, supporting projects,
(01:00):
taking party missions, contributing to local democracy initiatives, and experiencing
firsthand how European cooperation works in practice. The program gives
them the opportunity to acquire concrete skills, explore international work environments,
and grow both personally and professionally, while contributing directly to
(01:21):
alda's mission of strengthening participation, inclusion and democratic governance. And
before anything else, a little personal note, I actually begin
my own journey in ALDA through the Civil Service myself,
so hosting this episode feels a bit like coming home.
In the next minutes, we will hear from nine volunteers
(01:42):
currently based in our Brussels and Strasbourg offices. They share
their first impressions, their challenges, and how this experience is
shaping the way they understand participation and democracy. And joining
me today is someone who knows this journey very well.
Valeria Piki, a volunteer from the twenty twenty four twenty
twenty five cycle now part of the ALDA team. Welcome,
(02:03):
vallet Hi, thank you for having me. Let's start out
with the basics. We asked each volunteer to introduce themselves
in just a few words.
Speaker 2 (02:13):
I'm on Brodo. I work in like a project designer
here in Brasel office and in Youth department and Digital Department.
Speaker 3 (02:24):
My name is Anna. I work in the Brassel office
in the project implementation department and I'm working on the
migration hub.
Speaker 4 (02:32):
My name is Jovanni and I work in ALDA in
the Brasel's office and I'm part of the implementation team.
Speaker 5 (02:41):
Hello, my name is Triana. I work for Other's office
in Strasbourg in the development department.
Speaker 6 (02:46):
Thank you Manal for having us. My name is Harry
and I work in ALDA Brosel's office and I work
as assistant project manager in Youth Empartment and Education Hub.
Speaker 4 (02:58):
Hello.
Speaker 2 (02:58):
I'm Jakopo, work in the Secretary office and I'm supporting
right now the Youthub and also the Environment and Climate
Ub in the Brassels office.
Speaker 7 (03:11):
I'm Lucia. I am a civic service volunteer in the
Communications department of ALDA and I'm based in the office
of Strasbourg.
Speaker 8 (03:19):
I'm Margrita. I work at ALDA at the Implementation Department
in the Territorial and Local Development Unit in Brussel.
Speaker 9 (03:29):
Hello everyone, I'm Marianna. I work in project design in
Migration Art and I'm right now at the Strasburg office
of ALDAMA.
Speaker 1 (03:41):
Valeria. You arrived in ALDA last year as a volunteer
and you're not part of the team. Do you remember
your very first week in the Brussels office. What did
you feel like to step into this environment for the
first time?
Speaker 10 (03:53):
Okay, yeah, I remember my beginning within ALDA very well. Actually,
the main thing I remember is that we were because
I was with my civil service colleagues and we were
super welcome from the Russell office since the first day.
And yes, that's the feeling that I remember from the beginning,
(04:16):
so we were super welcome and the environment was super friendly.
And I remember that within our first week we had
a very funny team building activity, so it was super
It really helped the to became quickly part of the team.
Speaker 1 (04:34):
Of course we always are happy to do funny things.
Also we did work environment. We need to make the
team stronger and stronger, especially to welcome new people. And
in your experience, what makes the volunteering and journey at
ALDA unique, what makes it different from any other placements.
Speaker 10 (04:52):
I believe that the civil service at ALDA is truly
unique in the civil service tunities landscape because other is
a large organization, it is organized with offices in different countries.
So working with ALDA you truly experience what what does
(05:14):
it mean to work at the European level, and especially
working working in Brussel for as it was my experience,
I think is it really is a unique environment to
work in because you really feel you are at the
(05:37):
core of the European Union. And yeah, it's a very
special location to work and to experience what does it
mean working in an energy or at the European level.
Speaker 1 (05:48):
So I totally agree. I think that's also the feeling
I had the first time I arrived in Alden Brussels. Indeed,
and we also asked our volunteers of this year what
has been the most interesting part of their experience so far,
So the moments that made them grow, think, or simply
enjoy being part of the team, as you said, Valet,
(06:08):
so let's hear what they said.
Speaker 3 (06:10):
For sure, it has been taking part to missions and
overseeing the work on fields and in interacting with the
different stakeholders.
Speaker 4 (06:20):
In my opinion, what I really like is that I
am getting the possibility to do different types of work.
Every day. I'm supporting two different projects and at the
same time I'm also editing the news better for the
hub I'm working at. And yes, so I think multitasking
(06:40):
it's the most interesting part.
Speaker 8 (06:41):
I would say my colleagues, my new colleagues and flatmates
and people that i've met.
Speaker 1 (06:55):
So working in an international organization always brings surprises. Apparently
some are more expected, some are unexpected. Here's what's strut
doubt for our volunteers in their first six months.
Speaker 5 (07:09):
That's a difficult one. I think the way.
Speaker 6 (07:12):
The reality of the working in Brussels is shaved maybe
all around Europe is very different from how I felt here.
I think I felt very welcoming by my colleagues here.
The atmosphere was super nice, so I didn't really feel
that I'm working at a place where life is so
fast paced and it can be difficult. But yeah, for me,
(07:36):
it was very slow and like very nice welcoming beginning,
and that really made me feel feel at home.
Speaker 5 (07:44):
The most surprising aspect of my work from the earliest
months has been feeling very much included in Alda with
my colleagues in Strasbourg, and most of all in every
aspect of the work of my department and in my
hubor right away.
Speaker 2 (07:55):
How complex the organization is actually so.
Speaker 9 (08:02):
During the first month, I was surprised by how collaborative
and attentive the environment is. People really listen to each other.
There is a strong sense of empathy among colleagues, and
you can really really feel a shared alignment in both
ideas and values.
Speaker 1 (08:17):
Okay, now, Valeria, to you, what surprised you the most
during your ear and something that didn't quite match your
expectations on the other side.
Speaker 10 (08:30):
So I think that the whole experience at the end
quite met my expectations. So I wanted to learn how
to do project management, and in fact I did, but
the process of learning was quite surprising every day, because yeah,
(08:52):
you learn to do a lot of different tasks at
the same time. Every day, maybe there are some unexpected
does that pop up and so you you really experience
also how to muh. You really like all your skills
of problem solving, of adapting and flexibility. But it's super
(09:17):
useful and really helps you to grow both professionally and personally.
Speaker 1 (09:21):
Thanks a lot. So I would say that the surprise
and not surprise are in the same issue here and
now talking about challenges, also, I think describing all that
in only three words is a challenge. I did ask
our volunteers to do it, and here's what they came
(09:42):
up with.
Speaker 6 (09:44):
Family, community and active participation.
Speaker 3 (09:47):
Challenging, diverse, and inspiring.
Speaker 5 (09:52):
So far, I would describe it as stimulating, interesting and inclusive.
Speaker 6 (09:56):
Challenging, I would say, for sure, fruit and very exploitative.
Speaker 2 (10:02):
I would say absolutely nice, difficult and new to me.
Speaker 7 (10:10):
My experience in the Department of ALDA is all about creativity,
pro activity and enthusiasm.
Speaker 8 (10:15):
I would say exciting, challenging new people. Even it's two wards.
Speaker 9 (10:22):
If one of my experience in ouders being dynamic, inclusive
and motivating.
Speaker 4 (10:25):
I would say so the three words that I will
choose describe my experience in ALDA will be multitasking, projects
and Europe.
Speaker 1 (10:39):
So definitely we can say challenges are part of any
meaningfully learning experience. And also talking about challenges, here's how
some of them faced the challenges they had and what
helped them then move forward.
Speaker 3 (10:55):
Interacting with different stakeholders and modeling myself like depending on
the person that I'm talking with and the texts that
I have to do, and I overcame it, like just
talking freely with my supervisor and receiving guidance and counseling
by the people like.
Speaker 8 (11:15):
Working with me, I think, being responsible for new activities
that I've never done, and trying to find a way
to find a solution and find creative solutions.
Speaker 7 (11:30):
The biggest challenge is about speaking French with colleagues and
other organizations in Strasbourg. I studied it, but I also
have to improve it. So sometimes we speak about very
interesting topics or about the art that's work in general,
and I always do an effort. But this challenge is
also an opportunity for me because it pushes me to
(11:51):
study it and to roll myself in a French course
in the evening.
Speaker 1 (12:00):
And on your side, Valeria, what was the biggest challenge
of your ear and what helped you navigate it well?
Speaker 10 (12:06):
Probably adapting to working with Alda itself was a challenge
maybe at the beginning. And also as I said, I
mean like learn how to deal different simultaneously. But I
think that a big party is learning by doing, of course,
(12:30):
but on the other side, you are always you always
have the support of your colleague, colleagues, more and more
expert colleagues that can help you.
Speaker 1 (12:42):
And can support you.
Speaker 10 (12:43):
And so yeah, I really felt like I could ask
anything and someone from the office could help me, and
so it was super useful. And a big party is
learning by doing, but it is very good way to learn,
I think.
Speaker 1 (13:02):
Yeah, you said the word learning by doing is the
thing in all so for sure, volunteers, in terns or
whoever joins newly the team, let's say it doesn't follow
the cliche of like doing photocopies or anything. It's really
learning by doing. So you've learned up your skins. And
if you could give one piece of advice to the
(13:22):
volunteers who will begin their journey with all that in
the next years, or to the ones who are doing
it now, what would it be.
Speaker 10 (13:30):
I would say, don't be afraid to speak, to say
your idea, to share your ideas and your thoughts on
the thing you discussed with your colleagues, because in my
experience we were always very welcome, our ideas were always
very welcomed and chicken seriously, and so I think it
(13:54):
is a very is a very nice thing learner to
express yourself and from that you can also grow and learn.
And yeah, on the other side, since you're in Brassel,
to enjoy as much as possible every opportunity you have,
(14:14):
because there are a lot of events, of initiatives and
activities in Brassel, and I think it's very nice to
use this year also for these experiences.
Speaker 1 (14:25):
And of course we're not forgetting about the Strasbourg people.
It's just both of us are based in Brussels. Out
of coincidence.
Speaker 10 (14:32):
I'm thinking for my personal experience, so Brassel is in
my mind. But of course, yeah, I mean I was
also in Strasbourg in Strasbourg the last year to of
course to visit the other girls and also that city,
I think you really feel to be in the European
Union and it's really an active city, lively city.
Speaker 1 (14:52):
Yes, yeah, I think we have two wonderful locations to
send our volunteers each year too, and indeed you feel
the environment is participative and inclusive around you. And talking
about participation, which is at the core of Alda's mission,
of course, I wanted to ask our volunteers what does
(15:15):
it look like participation in everyday work, and so some
of them reflected on this question and here's what they answered.
Speaker 4 (15:24):
I think that participation means being an active member not
only of my work in ALDA, but an active member
in society.
Speaker 9 (15:37):
Participation means being actively engaged in the work I do
and in the environment around me. So sharing ideas, bring
an active listener, bring an active listener, staying open and
most of all, working collaboratively with a positive altitude. I
think these are the key elements to achieve shit goals.
Speaker 1 (16:00):
Last, but not least, we ask some of them whether
this experience has changed so far they're understanding of how
democracy works in practice?
Speaker 6 (16:11):
Well, for sure, it has changed my understanding of how
democracy works, but also how much work like people put behind,
you know, this whole process. I mean, working in an
organization like ALDA, you get to really see and meet
and see the work of the people that they are doing,
you know, like day and night, to connect with the
(16:32):
different members from all around the Europe to really strengthen
the democracy at the local level and what democracy and
what the democratic values mean to the people working with ALDA.
And so this is something that I really got to
experience from very very close closely and really something that
inspired me and for sure saved my understanding about democracy
in a new way.
Speaker 7 (16:54):
Yes, I'm learning a lot with ALDA. In particular, I'm
understanding how challenging is community gating such an important value
and making a message arrive to those who are not
interested in the topic. So, for example, when you work
on raising awareness campaigns, it is easy to write to
people who are already interested, but the real challenge is
(17:14):
reaching those who are not.
Speaker 2 (17:16):
It really made me understand how difficult, how complex, how
many actors there are, and yeah, it's quite it's quite
complex in reality, Valeria.
Speaker 1 (17:39):
After leaving this experience from the inside, what does democracy
mean to you now? In practical terms, I.
Speaker 10 (17:46):
Would say two many words for me, So participation and inclusiveness.
So engage people and include them in participating. Actually so
in sharing their ideas and connecting with people. And yeah,
for me, after my experience, democracy is really this, So
(18:11):
connect with people and participate.
Speaker 1 (18:15):
Thank you very much. I think this is a great
way actually to end this episode today and keep in
mind these words, and as we are closing this episode,
I think one message stands out very clearly. Volunteering is
not simply a year of service in this case, but
it is really a democratic experience in all its forms,
(18:36):
and of course touching a lot upon participation, inclusiveness, and connection,
as you just said, valid So through the voices of
our volunteers, we heard how participation takes shape in the
every day, in meetings, in teamwork and learning how to collaborate,
and in discovering what it truly means to contribute to
something larger than oneself. The reflections remind us that democracy
(19:00):
is not abstract. It is lived through relationships, through active engagement,
and through the willingness to listen, adapt and grow. For
many of them, these experience challenged the assumptions, revealed the
complexity behind democratic processes, and showed how much invisible work
is needed to make participation real, whether at local, national,
(19:23):
or European level, and perhaps that is the most powerful
takeaway today. Democracy is strengthened by people who choose to
get involved, to show up, to learn, and to work
together with empathy and intention. So a very warm thank
you to Valeria for joining us this is a conversation,
and of course also to all our volunteers for sharing
(19:43):
their stories with honesty and openness. Thank you Ali for
being here.
Speaker 10 (19:47):
Thank you Manal, thank you for having me, and of.
Speaker 1 (19:51):
Course if you have thoughts, reflections or experiences you'd like
to share with us, we would be happy to hear
from you. So this was Shades of Democracy. To learn
more about the topics discussed, you can find links in
the episode description and don't forget to follow us also
on social media and until next time, stay connected, stay engaged,
and keep shaping the future of democracy. You can find
(20:14):
our podcast on Spotify, Sprecker, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Deezer,
and of course on Alda's website. Till next time, Bye bye,
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