Olen hariduselt põhiõiguste ekspert ja ajaloolane. Töötan Euroopa Komisjoni heaks alates 2015. aastast. Alguses olin antisemitismivastase võitluse asekoordinaator ja praegu töötan ELi väärtusi, põhiõigusi ja Euroopa ajaloomälu käsitlevate rahastamisprogrammide juhina.

Alustasin oma karjääri hariduse ja kultuuri peadirektoraadis asepeadirektori kabinetis. Kuue aasta jooksul olen töötanud Euroopa Komisjoni mitmes eri osakonnas, näiteks hariduse ja kultuuri peadirektoraadi noorsoopoliitika üksuses ning rände ja siseasjade peadirektoraadi varjupaigapoliitika üksuses.

Minu töö on väga mitmekesine, hõlmates ELi rahaliste vahendite tutvustamist kodanikuühiskonna organisatsioonidele ja ministeeriumidele, uute rahastamismehhanismide kujundamist, et toetada rassismi, diskrimineerimise ja antisemitismi vastast võitlust, ning võrdõiguslikkust käsitlevate poliitiliste prioriteetide ja sidusrühmadele antava toetuse vahelise sidususe tagamist.

Minu magistriõpingud Müncheni Ludwig-Maximiliani Ülikoolis juudi ajaloo alal hõlmasid aastat teadurina Jeruusalemma Heebrea Ülikoolis. Mul on ka Euroopa uuringute magistrikraad Varssavi Euroopa Kolledžist (Natolin). Olen tegev suurimas Euroopa-meelses noorteliikumises, ühenduses Euroopa noored föderalistid, kus olin varem väliskomisjoni esimees. Olen Ameerika Nõukogu Saksamaa noorte juhtide konverentsi vilistlane ja panustan nende mitmekesisuse, võrdsete võimaluste ja kaasamise töörühma töösse.

“Starting as a linguist and transitioning to an outreach officer, I use my humanities skills to shape communication at the Council of the EU. Critical thinking, creativity and a passion for languages turn complex policy into meaningful impact. Whether selecting words carefully or planning high-level events, each day is purposeful.”

“Working on EU trade policy towards China is a unique opportunity to engage with some of today’s most important economic and geopolitical issues. 

I appreciate the possibility to contribute to this complex and significant relationship, and to work with talented and motivated colleagues across the Commission and many of our delegations around the world on a daily basis.”

“I work to make the EU’s global engagement tangible — turning values into programmes that deliver opportunity and resilience. 

My daily motivation comes from promoting EU policies and values worldwide. With focus on peace and security, my role involves aligning engagements with real needs and Europe's interests, especially in fragile contexts. Contributing to this mission is highly rewarding.”

“I wasn’t exactly destined for a career in the European institutions, but the General Secretariat of the Council trusted me, invested in me, and let me grow into it — and I’m deeply grateful for that. 

Today I help drive cultural change in my organisation through participatory leadership, and it has shown me how powerful people can be when they’re trusted to think and create together. It’s meaningful work that still surprises me, in the best possible way.”

“My name is Vanessa (she/her), and I am President of Égalité, an association representing LGBTIQ+ staff of all EU institutions. In this role, I have seen how essential visibility, solidarity and community are for colleagues and allies throughout our workplaces in Brussels, Luxembourg, Strasbourg, and EU delegations. 

Everybody should be free to be themselves which is why a genuine Union of Equality must go beyond principles alone. Human rights can never be negotiable, and diversity and inclusion must be reflected not only in our policies and values, but also in the everyday reality of our working environments.

Encouragingly, awareness and inclusion across the institutions continue to grow. I am proud of the commitment shown by colleagues, allies and networks who work every day to make our workplaces more open, respectful and inclusive. Their efforts matter because visibility sends a clear message: the European Union stands firmly for equality and human rights for all.

While important progress has been made, challenges remain. This includes the recognition of social names for trans and non-binary colleagues, as well as the need to address situations of discrimination wherever they occur. Continuing to move forward together with openness, dialogue and determination, therefore remains essential.

Find out more information about Égalité and our work

"My name is Michaela and I am the European Commission Anti-racism Coordinator. Working for the European Commission has deepened my commitment to public service. Every day, I have the opportunity to contribute to policies that strive to reflect European values of human rights, equality and freedom with the aim of uplifting all Europeans, whether addressing inequalities in education, advocating for inclusive digital transformation, or amplifying marginalised voices in policymaking. True public service demands more than good intentions, it requires confronting systemic gaps. As a Black European woman, I’ve felt both the honour and the weight of representing communities often underrepresented in EU spaces. I’ve found strength in turning these gaps into opportunities for change. Initiatives like the EU Anti-Racism Action Plan remind me that progress is possible when institutions prioritise equity as fiercely as they preach it. 
Europe’s strength lies in its diversity, and diverse voices are vital to shaping a Union where everyone belongs."

“I am Gino from Leuven, Belgium, and I am delighted to introduce myself on this page. Currently, I work in the unit at INTPA responsible for Gender Equality, Human Rights and Democratic Governance as a programme assistant. Born with a disability, spasticity, my life has been a journey of challenging myself and, to a certain degree, my surroundings to achieve my dreams.
As a child, many believed I would never attend university. However, today I can proudly reflect on my accomplishments: a university degree from Leuven, an internship as a Blue Book trainee in the Commission, a master’s degree from the London School of Economics, and passing the AST competition in 2004.

I have always expected the EU institutions to treat me as I am—a curious and enthusiastic EU citizen who sometimes needs encouragement and support to succeed. This expectation has been met throughout my life and career. I have greatly appreciated the Commission's accommodations for my specific needs, such as allowing me to exercise and occasionally work from home.

In return, I bring my energy and passion to this thoroughly stimulating work environment. My next challenge is to become an AD official!
I encourage everybody, to believe that it is possible to pursue your passion, even if the road is different and sometimes cumbersome, is it worth it!”

Alustasin Euroopa Komisjoni talitustes tööd 2019. aastal poliitikaametnikuna tööhõive, sotsiaalküsimuste ja sotsiaalse kaasatuse peadirektoraadis. Ma töötan geograafilises üksuses, kus jälgitakse konkreetseid riike, milleks minu puhul on Rootsi. Teised minuga samas üksuses töötavad kolleegid jälgivad suundumusi Itaalias ja Taanis.

Minu töö on väga mitmekesine ja keerukas ning see hõlmab poliitilist tööd (eelkõige tööhõive- ja sotsiaalküsimusi Euroopa poolaasta raames) ja Euroopa Sotsiaalfondi programmijuhtimist Rootsis.

Minu peadirektoraadis on peamine töökeel inglise keel, kuid kuna ma keskendun oma töös Rootsile, töötan ma ka rootsi keeles. Teised kolleegid töötavad samuti nende riikide keeltes, mida nad jälgivad, seega on minu üksus üsna mitmekeelne.

Omandasin õigusteaduse magistrikraadi Stockholmi Ülikoolis. Enne Euroopa Komisjoniga liitumist töötasin Brüsselis valitsusvälises organisatsioonis, mis tegeles esindatavate rühmade õiguste kaitse ja kampaaniate korraldamisega.

“My name is Joséphine, and I work in the Secretariat-General of the European Commission, focusing on combating racism and discrimination. As a young racialised woman, joining the EU institutions has been both a personal and professional journey towards inclusion and representation. I started as a Blue Book trainee back in 2023, unsure of how my identity as a racialised LGBTIQ person would fit into the institutions. What I found was a diverse and dynamic environment where different perspectives are valued, and where I could actively contribute to shaping policies that promote equality.

Today, I have the privilege of working on crucial issues to ensure that the voices of marginalised communities are heard at the highest levels. The EU’s commitment to promote a Union of Equality is not just a principle, it’s something I experience every day through the support of my colleagues and the real impact of our work. As a young professional, I feel empowered to grow, and help build a more inclusive Europe. If you’re looking for a career where you can be yourself and drive meaningful change, this is the place to be.”