Master placement report University of Groningen

(1)

1

Master placement report

University of Groningen

Student:

Name: Sozan Abwini

Number: S3718581

International Relations (IRIO general track)

University supervisor

:

E.M. (Elena) Herman-Pletiougina

Email:

e.m.herman-pletiougina@rug.nl

Placement provider:

The municipality of Coevorden (Gemeente Coevorden)

Adress: Kasteel 1, 7741GC Coevorden

The Netherlands

Placement supervisor:

Rieja Raven

Email:

R.raven@coevorden.nl

(2)

2

1- Introduction:

The connection between the theoretical studies and the labor market is an essential process to gain the experience and knowledge. You need to apply for an internship to be able to determine your future career and have an idea how it works in an organization.

I was so happy, when I had the chance to do my placement at the

municipality of Coevorden because it was very difficult for me as a mother and during the COVID-19 measures to find such a nice place to practice my theoretical knowledge which I gain during the first semester.

My placement report will introduce different parts. Firstly, I will show the path to my placement. Secondly, I will review the place and the system of the municipality. Thirdly, I will describe the functions and tasks that I was responsible to do. Fourthly, I will also depict and evaluate what I have learned and which problems that I have come across during this period. Finally, it seems that is very essential to conclude by giving an overview to all of the sections.

In this placement report, I will talk about many aspects related to my

placement which was between the first of September 2020 until the first of February 2021.

(4)

4

2- The path to the placement:

After studying political sciences and translation, I decided to travel to the Netherlands. I came as a refugee in 2015 to live in a new European country. It was a very dangerous trip to be in the Netherlands. It took from me three years to learn Dutch, and to integrate in the Netherlands and in its culture. During these years, I became a mother for a lovely child. All of these

circumstances that I faced gave me a power to complete my high education, so I chose to study international relations at the University of Groningen. Finding an internship was a part of my study, which I liked the most of this process because it allows me to build my own network for my future career. I decided in the beginning to start writing my thesis, but because of the crisis of COVID-19, it was very difficult to concentrate especially I have a child and we came across financial problems.

In the meantime, I got an email from a political party who supports refugees that they wanted to meet me. During the appointment, I explained to them that I have to do an internship and it is not easy for my situation to find one. They promised to help me. After few days, I got a call from the international department to discuss the requirements for my placement because they wanted to offer the suitable place for me. So, I got the chance to start my internship for about six months. I wanted to make it as long as possible to learn more during the time.

Everything was new for me. This placement allowed me to know my strength and weakness points. I have developed many skills and I faced many problems which gave me a wide experience to decided what I like the most for my future.

I would like to advice all of the students to ask and discover your chance to find your internship. Do not be shy from asking and get benefits from your

(5)

5

network. It can be your family, school or even your neighbor. Just try your best to get it.

3- Placement provider (The municipality of Coevorden):

Coevorden is a city near the border of Germany in the Netherlands. This city is located at the corner of southeastern a province called Drenthe. The

municipality of Coevorden is composed of five municipalities and other rural areas. Its location is an essential factor to play an international role in the region. Moreover, its relationships with other cities such as Nordhorn in Germany, and Brest in Belarus have a great impact on its international role. (1)

The municipality of Coevorden works actively to surround the companies in Coevorden with a good atmosphere by an effective international

cooperation. Its aim is to save the future of the employment. There are many industrial places in this city such as Europark, which is located on the border between the Netherlands and Germany. Forbo is another example for a global company in Coevorden. Therefore, it is clear that a city such as

Coevorden has a great impact on the international relations compared to its land space.

There is a great connection with the municipality of Emlichheim in Germany. Emlichheim is a neighbor municipality and it has a long-standing

cooperation with Coevorden. Moreover, the railway connection has connected Coevorden with its partner-city Nordhorn. Other activities between the two cities have been involved such as cultural programs to share ideas and support the European solidarity. Schools organize activities together in Coevorden and Nordhorn.

Cross-border is the main issue in Coevorden. This municipality faces many challenges because of its location on the border. That is why, it tries the best to have always contact with other municipalities which are located on the other side of the border. In addition, its council has a great ambition to

(6)

6

develop a rail freight transport to reach the New Silk Road in China. Here, there is a cooperation with the partner city Brest in Belarus.

4- Tasks and activities:

There were many different types of projects which I was responsible to do. It was more to practice and discover the system and the way of working in the municipality. Applying the theoretical framework that I have learned at the university was a main tool that helped me to understand the practical working there.

The relationship between Coevorden and Brest (Belarus) was the main issue in the frame of the international relations. A week called (EU week) gave me a wide view to problems related to the European regional territories.

Moreover, a project which called (75 years of freedom) was very interesting because it was related to more than one title. For example, (D-NL Youth day) project was included in the project 75 years of freedom. In addition, I had contact with a department called (actief voor werk). This department has a great role to help newcomers and refugees to integrate by learning the Dutch Language and find a good job in their new life.

I will show in this section more details about the projects and tasks which I was involved in:

4.1-The relationship between Coevorden and Brest:

The link to Brest (Belarus) since 2000 is basically about strengthening rail freight transport, that is because this city (Brest) is considered as a main point in the rail network (internationally). Furthermore, topics such as road safety and culture are also objects connect these two cities. (2)

In 2020, there is something changed in regards to this relationship. In August 2020, there was a presidential election in Belarus. This election according to many different resources was dishonest. Demonstrations covered most of the places in Belarus to refuse the results that Lukashenko became the president of the land. Lukashenko was the president of Belarus since 1994

(7)

7

and there are new voices that they wanted to change the system and the authorities there to a new perspective.

My supervisor and I worked and had a great contact in this case. We invited the ambassador of Belarus to the municipality. He met the mayor and we talked about the historical relations between Coevorden and Brest. The main embarrassing issue for the ambassador was to talk about the

demonstrations and the detainees in his country. He explained the situation as a conspiracy from the neighbor countries and it is an interior problem that no one can intervene in it. But the mayor, my supervisor and I tried to explain that we stand for the human rights and democracy. It is not

acceptable to arrest people just because they need to drive their country to democracy.

During the meeting, I was thinking about many theories that I have learned in my first semester. I could apply some of them which I will explain in the evaluation section. Generally, it was a very interesting meeting for me because I could discuss such sensitive subjects.

On the other hand, we had contact with groups and people who supported Human rights in Belarus. We were working to make projects and plan some ideas to have an effective role to reach a peaceful transformation such as helping students, lawyers and activists who were arrested. Unfortunately, Coevorden is a small city, and it does not have a wide role. Coevorden was interested just in Brest because of its historical relationship, while I was interested in projects in other cities to be more effective.

4.2-EU week:

It was a week which is supposed to be in Belgium, but because of COVID-19 it was arranged online. I attended many meetings, and it was for me a new experience to share ideas with other European countries related to regional problems.

(8)

8

❖ Are policy makers alone in charting recovery from COVID-19 crisis? What is the role of the regions? How researchers can help?

During this session, I got some important points:

1. Current crisis is complex because it includes health, economy, social and cultural sectors.

2. The way people live and work will be transformed.

3. Differentiated effects across people, sectors, firms and regions. 4. Pandemic tends to increase pre-existing socio-economic and

geographic inequalities.

5. COVID-19 is not the only challenge. Other societal challenges are rising inequalities, violence, migrations and poverty.

6. Regions are closer to people, so it can better understand problems. The more complex and uncertain is the policy problem, the more local communities should be involved (empowerment for rapid and

appropriate action).

7. Researchers give their insights by stressing that in crisis, it is important to have continuous dialogue. According to them, short response is associated to a long process.

In short, researchers deal with data so they can help by building more resilient regions and communities to better withstand future shocks.

❖ Regional democracy and the EU:

1. Regional elections are the main factor for the regional democracy. 2. The election process is associated to the historical identity of a region. 3. The regional democracies differ into four types: regional identities and

histories, regional authority, regional electoral systems and regional parliaments and executives.

(9)

9

5. Voters are more likely to turnout if regional elections are held simultaneously with national elections.

6. In more permissive systems, more parties are represented.

To sum up, simple rules can have a substantial effect on election outcomes.

❖ Positive narratives on integration:

1. To apply a useful approach on integration, we need: strong political commitment, civil society and local stakeholders and motivated local teams.

2. Raise awareness: impact of widespread and unfounded statements towards a cross-section of groups in society, bringing together decision makers, civil society and different levels of government. 3. City communication strategy: addressed to the potential of its ethnic

and cultural diversity, combating discrimination and promoting inclusion.

In nutshell, for good integration we need to focus on communication, respect, understanding, and not rumors. In addition, flexibility to adapt to each context and diversity should be an opportunity not a problem.

Finally, I participated to other seminars such as (the path to gender parity in politics), (What gender equality means at local level and how to achieve it?) and (Cross-border cooperation and COVID-19).

4.3-75 years of freedom project and D-NL youth day:

The municipality of Coevorden arranged a project in April 2020 to celebrate 75 years of freedom after the end of World War 2. This program faced many difficulties because of the first wave of COVID-19. The cultural department decided to stop it and plan it again in 2021, so they had time to take all of the rules related to the pandemic in consideration.

(10)

10

The activities included a bike journey which will start from Germany (Emlichheim) the neighbor city to Coevorden and expositions in the city center of Coevorden and its villages. These expositions will show the stories and the faces that participated to liberate Coevorden.

My role was to work with the team from the cultural department to find the suitable locations for the expositions. Moreover, I had contact with historical associations in towns such as Dalen, Sleen and Oosterhesselen. We talked about the important faces that helped during the liberation. I had also a regular meeting with the team to discuss issues such as: finance, working with Emlichheim, having contact with the church and the synagogue in the city. This occasion will take place in 5 April 2021. Unfortunately, my

internship stopped in February 2021 so I could not finish this project. Another project called D-NL youth day was included under the name 75 years of freedom. This program has a goal to target the young people in school.

I had to work with a school in Coevorden called Nieuwe Veste and with the municipality Nordhorn in Germany to create activities for students. This project supposed to happen in April 2021. We had an idea to talk about the relationship between Coevorden and Nordhoorn with the students. Because of COVID-19, it was not clear for us to continue in the arranging of this

project. The teachers were afraid and worried about the safe of their students during the pandemic.

(11)

11

4.4-Actief voor werk

It is a social department at the municipality, its aim is to help refugees to integrate and find the appropriate job in the Netherlands. The team of Actief voor werk are working on new plans for integration to develop the present law. The workers of this section want to learn from the experience of the people who did the courses and studied the language.

Because I had a wide experience in this regard, this department invited me to share some ideas that comes from the process which I followed during the last five years (It is a type of brainstorming). I had online interviews with other municipalities such as Borger-Odoorn. My role was to create a plan for a better life for the refugees. The idea was to arrange a meeting with

refugee women to share their stories in the Netherlands. We had also contact with the contact persons who supervise the process of learning Dutch and they know more about the difficulties these females faced in Coevorden.

First of all, I found A2 level is not suitable to understand the labor market in the Netherlands. The refugees need other additional courses to be able to apply for jobs. They need to know how to write a CV and a motivation letter. In addition, they have to know the process to apply for a vacancy and this is required to supply them by information.

On the other side, Knowing and understanding the Dutch culture has a great impact to search for a job. Refugees came from variety backgrounds and societies, so it takes time for them to get used to the new system in the Netherlands. They need to attend courses and conversations from accurate and honest resources to discover the community where they live in, because many rumors will be heard.

I had not enough time because they talked to me in January 2021, but they promised to have contact with me after the placement.

(12)

12

5- Evaluation:

In this part, I will reflect the evaluation of my internship. This placement allowed me to put my theoretical insights in practice. I have also learned from other regional experiences how to stimulate ideas and share them with my team at the municipality. Furthermore, I faced challenges and difficulties which helped me to improve my skills and knowledge.

During the meeting with the ambassador of Belarus, I could apply many theoretical insights and reflections that I have studied such as the realism and liberalism theories. I noticed that topics such as economic cooperation and COVID-19 need to be analyzed in the frame of the liberalism theory because it tends to emphasize the cooperation. The notion of the laissez-faire state shows counterparts between students of international politics with their yen to get the power out of power politics.(3)_{All of these aspects}

reflect the relationship between Brest and Coevorden. While, I noticed that the Belarusian ambassador applied his realism way of thinking in this

meeting. Demonstrations was a hot topic and he showed that his

government can guide their own interests. As a result, I could see the realism theory from his action and behavior.

In the EU week, I participated a session called (What a gender equality means at local level and how to achieve it). A story that I heard that learned me, how to bring other experiences to put it in practice in Coevorden. The free zone idea in Sweden helped me to use the feminism lenses to create a solution for insecure and vulnerable women. It is simply a huge swing in a garden in the center of municipality in Sweden where can young girls and women be free to talk about their embarrassing issues. I talked to my supervisor to discuss this thought and to work on it to help women who face violence and

insecurity.

(13)

13

Many difficulties and challenges came across this period. At the beginning, the language barrier was my main problem. My Dutch was not that perfect to deal with all of the tasks. Day after day, I observed the improvement of my language and I became gradually fluent. This internship gave me the chance to develop my writing and presentation skills. I was very shy to express myself when I started. Later on, I could manage all of the tasks only in Dutch without using any English words.

Other difficulty was to understand the system of working and the process to generate ideas for a project. I was keeping asking if something was not clear for me. I had every week an appointment with my supervisor to discuss all of the matters and questions that I had.

6- Conclusion

Generally, I was very satisfied to do my internship and during these six

months I could progress many skills, have a great network in many European countries and be flexible to find solutions for my problems.

This internship is considered as my first work experience. However, it allowed me to know my preferences. I found myself in social and cultural issues. I did not like to work in the economic department at all. For example, I liked subjects like integration, gender equality, cross -border issues,

relations between the nations and migration. That is why, this experience gave me the chance to create a picture of my future job.

I met the mayor of Emmen in a theater where I was invited through tickets from my supervisor. During the show, they asked the audience about their dreams. I said my dream is to be the prime minister of the Netherland. The mayor showed his admiration and he invited me to his office to talk about my plans and to arrange an appointment to meet the king’s commissioner in Drenthe. All of that happened to me because I had to do the placement. To conclude, I had no plan for every meeting, conversation or network. I just tried to pick my chance to build my network.

(14)

14

7- Bibliography:

− About us. (n.d). Retrieved February 11,2021, from

http://www.coevorden.nl/about-us

− Gemeente Coevorden: Samenleven. (n.d.). Retrieved February 11, 2021, from https://www.coevorden.nl/samenleven

− Waltz, K. (2000). Structural Realism after the Cold War. International

Security, 25(1), 5-41. Retrieved February 11, 2021, from

http://www.jstor.org/stable/2626772

Master placement report University of Groningen