About Programs Fellowship News Calendar
Salzburg Global Fellow Marina Csikós shares her key takeaways from Public Policy New Voices Europe
This op-ed was written by Marina Csikós, who attended the Public Policy New Voices Europe program "Advancing Together: Empowering Diverse Leadership in Public Policy" in Salzburg from September 24 to 28, 2023.
Last year, when I applied for Salzburg Global Seminar’s Public Policy New Voices Europe Fellowship, I was really trying to explore ways to get more engaged with policy. To be honest, I am still trying to do that.
Since my arrival in Brussels in 2020, I have realized that policy has a great influence on the opportunities one has in life. Coming from Hungary, where Roma women do not get the chance to engage with public and political life, it was hard for me to get an understanding of the insights of public policymaking.
People say, “What you do not know, you do not care about”. This saying reflects the lack of knowledge of marginalized communities when it comes to policies and politics in general. As critical thinkers who engage with public policy, we know that many of the social, political, and economic struggles of oppressed communities come from their exclusion from structures and processes that create laws and policies that greatly affect their everyday lives. However, when you make sure that women of color, LGBTQ+ communities, people with disabilities, etc. also recognize the importance of policymaking and do their part in the process, you end up with resourceful changemakers who can help overcome challenges in public policy.
I think this was part of the reasons why The Walt Disney Company and Salzburg Global Seminar joined their powers to create such a transformative Fellowship that specifically focuses on nurturing and investing in public policy professionals coming from various marginalized backgrounds. The past few days have been emotionally and mentally exhausting (in a good way of course), as well as transformative for many Fellows, including me.
I know many young public policy professionals did not have the opportunity to attend the Public Policy New Voices Europe program, so here are three major lessons that I have learned during the program:
On the second day of the program, Monique Sundre Rodgers led an incredible session on how we connect to our ancestors and future generations by creating a bridge between us by using our body, soul, and mind. Historically, marginalized communities have a real need to reconnect with their ancestors and overcome generational traumas that may affect their current relationships and lives. In general, healing trauma is essential for public policymakers to work on policies that do not harm themselves, other people, and the Earth.
During the different public conversations and personal talks, I have realized that we all face serious and less serious struggles in our careers, regardless of whether we are junior or more senior professionals. The important thing is that we connect with people who go through similar experiences and try to help each other find new ways, new methods, and new networks to thrive again.
As young public policy professionals, we tend to feel that we do not have enough time and we need to become professionally competitive as soon as we graduate from university. So, we try to rush the process and do not really engage with the journey. However, to explore who we are and find what we are talented at, sometimes we need to slow down and enjoy the journey. In the craziness of professional development and competitiveness, we forget that as individuals we all have different paces and paths. Take your time and try to focus on what really makes you fulfilled in life. Success will follow your efforts.
Marina is a project assistant at Phiren Amenca International Network. She is a feminist gender equality professional, who works on the intersection of activism, art, and policy. She has been cooperating with a wide range of actors: from civil society organizations, and art institutions, through European human rights and policy bodies. She has also co-founded the Feminist Collective of Romani Gender Experts, a network which helps Roma gender equality professional from diverse fields to connect and create cooperation with institutions.
Public Policy New Voices Europe connects, supports, and empowers a new generation of diverse leaders in public policy across Europe. This dynamic year-long fellowship program seeks to address the challenges faced by underrepresented groups and emerging leaders in the public policy arena by providing a platform for support, mentorship, networking and skill-building. connects, supports, and empowers a new generation of diverse leaders in public policy across Europe. This dynamic year-long fellowship program seeks to address the challenges faced by underrepresented groups and emerging leaders in the public policy arena by providing a platform for support, mentorship, networking, and skill-building.