“Only by seeing and feeling that, at least here in Europe, nationalities are outdated concepts can we embrace the upcoming challenges.” – Radoslaw Skowron (PL)
We got in touch with EYP Alumni currently working in different positions in the Law field to ask them about the impact of EYP on their current careers. Here is what Radoslaw Skowron (PL) and Alexandros Politis (GR) had to say:
Can you tell us more about your current job? What is it that you do and why is it important to you? What is the social impact?
Alexandros: I am currently working as an Academic Assistant at the Law Department of the College of Europe in Bruges. I mainly assist professors on various EU Law courses, I conduct academic research and I give tutorials in the context of the LLM programme in European Law. The most important social feature of my job is undoubtedly the possibility I have to assist young people from all over Europe to succeed in their studies and reach their goals.
Radek: Over the last 15 years I have built a legal practice as an advisor for companies investing worldwide in the fields of mining, energy, infrastructure, and environment. I am a context provider in these spheres. I translate risks and demands into opportunities and advantages. Doing this I learn people, I learn from them and I pass this knowledge.
How does your current job relate to your EYP experience?
Alexandros: I am always surrounded by young motivated Europeans with whom I exchange ideas about the future of the EU. Being in a class, teaching EU law subjects to students, brings definitely to mind some moments of the committee work days. What mostly reminds me of the interaction I had as a chairperson with my delegates is the coaching responsibilities I had this year in the context of the European Law Moot Court (the biggest academic competition on EU Law), since I had to coordinate, for almost a year, the work of a small and dynamic group of students. I must also share that one of my students has actually been my delegate 8 years ago!
Radek: My EYP experience taught me to align my skills and experiences with the interests and expectations of entrepreneurs, community leaders and government representatives. Through EYP reality I learned what it takes to be the ‘man in the arena’.
In your opinion, how much, and in what way did EYP help you get where you are now?
Alexandros: The answer is clear and straightforward; I am here because of EYP. I was involved with EYP for almost 5 years while I was studying in Law School of Athens. In parallel, due to my experience in EYP, I was also selected by the largest student political organization in Greece to represent it in the European Democrat Students (EDS), the student organization of the European People’s Party. It was then easy in my head to choose the field of my specialization: EU law. Bearing also in mind that during EYP and EDS I was exposed in public speaking, in teamwork, in working within a European environment and in processes of exchanging ideas and knowledge with young talented people, I think it takes no effort to connect the dots!
Radek: EYP gatherings helped me realize that through other people you explore most about the world and about yourself.
We want to showcase the richness in diversity of our network. Is there a unique perspective you brought to the EYP network that you’d be comfortable sharing, in terms of background, experience, culture, education?
Alexandros: Difficult to answer that. Maybe I contributed to the “decentralisation” of EYP Greece. EYP Greece is mostly active in Athens and Thessaloniki and I come from Corfu island. I hope that the fact that I head-organised, together with Dora Markati, the 3rd international forum of EYP Greece in our hometown, Corfu, inspired other people in EYP Greece to expand EYP presence in places other than the major Greek cities.
Anything else you would like to share?
Radek: EYP experience or an alike transformative event shall be available to every high school student on this continent. Only by seeing and feeling that, at least here in Europe, nationalities are outdated concepts can we embrace the upcoming challenges.
