On 17th and 18th October, seven representatives from Federatia Filatropia, our partners in Romania, came to Brussels for a two day intensive study visit. The group were given a presentation on Eurodiaconia and the network, European Funding Programmes. They also had the chance to meet with the Deputy Permanent Representative of the Czech Republic to the EU in Brussels, Mr. Cosmin Boiangiu, and the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Section of the Permanent Representation. Our partners in Romania also met with Revd Prof. Dr Sorin Selaru, and Rev. George Valcu from the Representation of the Romanian Orthodox Church to the institutions of the European Union.
On the second day of the study visit, Secretary General of the Conference of European Churches, Father Heikki Huttunen joined the group, before their meeting with representatives from the European Commission Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion and Directorate-General for Education and Culture. On the second day of their visit, the delegation from Federatia Filantropia visited the European Parliament to meet with Romanian MEPs including MEP Grapini, MEP Pavel and MEP Sogor, to discuss issues they face working in the social field in Romania and to hear about the work of MEPs at European level.
The study visit came as a opportunity for our associate member to visit Brussels and see the European Institutions and our Eurodiaconia office in action, as well as a chance to gain skills and knowledge on EU affairs.