Museums as spaces for dialogue and resilience
NEMO Secretary General Julia Pagel, who leads and plans the internship programme, highlighted how the BELvue provides the ideal setting for the internship:
'The BELvue Museum presents the perfect backdrop for this internship since it embodies Europe’s shared values in action. By exploring themes such as democracy, solidarity, pluralism and migration, the BELvue connects Belgium’s story to the wider European identity and demonstrates how culture helps keep our values alive. Through NEMO’s Political Internship, we want to give policymakers a hands-on experience of the daily work of museums - from caring for collections to engaging communities - and show how museums are vital spaces for dialogue, reflection and resilience, especially in today’s challenging political, environmental and social climate.'
Located in the heart of Brussels, the BELvue Museum will serve as Riehl’s workplace for the day. Known as more than a history museum, BELvue positions itself as a forum for democracy and reflection, with exhibitions that connect Belgium’s past to contemporary issues.
An Lavens, Director of the BELvue Museum, looks forward to welcoming Riehl:
'Our educational and visitor services - developed in collaboration with teachers and specialists - show how museums can work inclusively and interactively with schools, families and the wider public. Together, these programmes, collections and processes will give Nela Riehl a comprehensive picture of what it means to run a museum as a place of learning, dialogue and civic engagement.'
She added:
'At BELvue we don’t see ourselves as just a museum, but as a living forum for democracy and reflection. Museums are not only about displaying objects, they are also about creating context, bringing nuance and sparking dialogue and reflection. For politicians, experiencing this first-hand provides valuable insights into how culture can support inclusion, participation, education and democracy. With Nela Riehl, we plan to showcase how BELvue translates these ambitions into practice: from collection care and exhibition design to civic education and engaging with diverse audiences.'
A growing initiative
Since 2018, NEMO’s Political Internship programme continues to strengthen the dialogue between museums and policymakers, demonstrating how museums contribute to democracy, education, innovation and social cohesion across Europe.
Riehl will be the fifth EU politician to participate in the initiative. Previous participants include Sabine Verheyen, Mariya Gabriel, Luca Jahier and Julie Ward. Each internship is tailored to fit the interning politician's profile and highlight the breadth of museum work.
More about Nela Riehl
On the website of Volt Germany, Nela Riehl shares that she brings a personal perspective to European politics, seeing as she is born and raised in Hamburg in a working-class family with roots in both Germany and Ghana. Having grown up experiencing the realities of border controls within Europe, she is well aware that only a united Europe is our future.
Knowing that democracy thrives on representation, Riehl made the conscious decision to reorganise her life in order to actively contribute to reshaping the political landscape. In a time when illiberal trends are gaining traction across Europe and beyond, Riehl stands firmly for a Europe that draws strength from its diversity.
She advocates for a democratic, climate-neutral, innovative, and just future. She stands firm in the conviction that only through inclusive representation and a diversity of perspectives can democracy be preserved and strengthened.
More about BELvue Museum
The BELvue Museum in Brussels offers a modern, interactive exploration of Belgium’s history and society, using thematic displays to engage visitors with key topics such as democracy, prosperity, solidarity, migration, and Europe. Through permanent and temporary exhibitions, the museum connects the past with current events to deepen understanding of Belgian identity and values.
With a unique blend of audiovisual storytelling and over 200 historical objects, BELvue brings Belgium’s heritage to life. Beyond exhibitions, the museum serves as a dynamic space for dialogue on democracy and civic engagement. Its educational program, developed by teachers and specialists, offers inclusive, accessible activities for schools, families, youth groups, and the wider public to ensure that learning is engaging and available to all.
The BELvue is managed by the King Baudouin Foundation.
