A day in EU parliament
That's the building of European commission, I would say one of the most important buildings in EU. And you can feel it, first of all you need to register way in advance before the event, they made you a pass for the day, and not only day but only for the specific hours of your visit.
The place feels like an airport, they have quite serious security and scanners like at any airport.
It's a huuuuuuuge building, I can't even imagine how many thousands of people works or present there every day.
Last week I was visiting it as I took a part in Climate Pact Conference there. I am climate pact ambassador of Latvia, and that was my first offline event at this position.
The whole building is full of artworks, paintings, sculptures and countless maze of halls.
By the way I wasn't allowed to freely walk there, there was always people who was making sure that we are staying only in the places we supposed to stay.
So yeah, quite fancy and stylish place.
During the day I attended several talks, discussions and panels. There were about 170 attendants, some like me ambassadors from other countries. It was a nice mix of various people from all possible backgrounds but all sharing the same passion and dedication for ecology. I've met marine biologists, actors, molecular scientists, photographers, politicians, business people, athletes, musicians, engineers. And I love the idea and the fact that each of them doing something trough their field their expertise for the climate.
I was sitting in such chair listening and participating in some climate related discussions. For example about online green washing or climate deniers online. How algorithms push conspiracy and anti climate change topics and so on.
All day was fun and good, they even served everyone vegetarian and vegan food. In fact it was only that, there was no meat or fish. Which is awesome.
So what I have learned and took for myself after whole day there ?
Well, honestly not much.... As soon as I left the event and was about to call Mara, I stopped and tried to realize, ok what should I tell her know. What was all this event about. And you know what. I couldn't remember anything... I was almost like blinded, someone erased my memory. During the day I heard so many politicians, MP's, presidents of all kinds of departments. They been talking, talking and talking. On a simple question they will give you 15 minute long answer, so while they are replying you already forgot what you been asking. And the end is always the same, it's Yes, but No. Or not Yes or not No. But since you already forgot the question and they speak so much with smart terminology you are just confused.
The main realization was that we have politicians only to speak. It's their job - speak. And that's it, they don't need to do much more, maybe vote :) But mainly speak and speak and speak. So the whole day felt a bit like a fast food, you eaten something, but you haven't received any nutrients and after 1 hour you will be hungry again....
I was thinking maybe they will inspire me to do something more, or they will offer some kind of projects, collaborations or so on. But no, I was naive, or I have no clue what politics is about. I think politics is not for me. But as yesterday my friend told me even if it's small changes that can be done with the help of politics and policy making it still worth the fight. It kind of encouraged me.
And he is right, we should fight even if there is some slight chance for a change or improvement.
So I will see how my "political" career will unfold :) for know I am mainly researching and looking into it, if it's something I can do. But still at the moment I feel for me it's better to go and plant a tree or save a turtle rather than attend a conference.
But all fights are important, and we should do everything what is in our capabilities.
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Tio
in reply to Dima • •Interesting to read about your experience there. And I am not surprised. Politicians talk so much and many times say nothing. But it is good to try these waters and see how it is. Maybe at least you can find others who participate there, who are from some orgs and who do stuff.
So how are they helping you at the end of the day? Do they give you access to something? Projects? Funds? A platform?
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Dima
in reply to Tio • •Yeah in a way ti's good to be there, to have "scientific" prove of what I am been thinking politics is :)
Yes there are some interesting people who do something on their own as me.
Well, I don't know how they help to be honest, I don't understand anything, they have numerous online meetings, talks etc, but I still have no clue what's happening, and what's the point. And I don't think I am the most stupid person i nthe world. But I still I don't know what is all about ::) haha
Well, so far I got access to some politicians, some platforms. Also they could give me a small funding If am about to do a project in Latvia, I guess up to 2k or something .Which is good. They also can connect me with some others, like recently I was contacted from journalist of Euronews who wanted to include me in their episode. It didn't worked out that time, but he got my contacts trough this EU pltaform. And I got quite often some invitations to participate or have a talk in meeting. But it's mainly bussines, or sustainable bussines conferences. Crap I am not interested at all.
... show moreBut I thi
Yeah in a way ti's good to be there, to have "scientific" prove of what I am been thinking politics is :)
Yes there are some interesting people who do something on their own as me.
Well, I don't know how they help to be honest, I don't understand anything, they have numerous online meetings, talks etc, but I still have no clue what's happening, and what's the point. And I don't think I am the most stupid person i nthe world. But I still I don't know what is all about ::) haha
Well, so far I got access to some politicians, some platforms. Also they could give me a small funding If am about to do a project in Latvia, I guess up to 2k or something .Which is good. They also can connect me with some others, like recently I was contacted from journalist of Euronews who wanted to include me in their episode. It didn't worked out that time, but he got my contacts trough this EU pltaform. And I got quite often some invitations to participate or have a talk in meeting. But it's mainly bussines, or sustainable bussines conferences. Crap I am not interested at all.
But I think at the end something might work out well for me. So I will stick for a while to see
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Tio
in reply to Dima • •I think that small changes are very good ofc, and are the ones that are still possible, but for sure we need much bigger changes and I am quite skeptical that they will come from these normal institutions. But maybe others can get in and influence some of their views. Maybe...
So I am curious how youll continue there. It is for sure worth a try at least.
Whats your next project?
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Dima
in reply to Tio • •yes, i was discouraged by this politics. Only small things are possible without changing the whole system. Patchworks. But since no clue how to change the system, patchworks is something is worth doing anyway, rather dreaming. So I don't have much aspiration to follow political career right now, maybe when I am 65 then I can sit and talk, that's probably would be the right time :)
But sure, I will experiment more...
Right now I am about to finish a video about Seals, which I've filmed in Belgium too, right after that conference. Will release it in a few days.
And currently looking for something to do in April, looks like I would go for some rewilding and national parks in balcans, but not certain 100% yet. Still looking for options for the April.
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Rokosun
in reply to Dima • • •like this
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