Together, we provided  presented at the end.At the 8th edition of the Paris Peace Forum, held at the Palais de Chaillot under the theme “New Coalitions for Peace, People and the Planet,” I had the opportunity to collaborate once again with the European Commission’s Service for Foreign Policy Instruments (FPI) this time through the new Knowledge Management Facility implemented by KOMIS.

​Together, we provided Instant-Coverage throughout the three-day event, producing three videos and over 100 photographs that captured the Forum’s atmosphere, discussions, and key moments. The work included a teaser video released a few days before the Forum, one instant-video per day during the conference, and a final wrap-up video presented at the end.

The first instant-video focussed on the Forum itself and the message that FPI was present at the Paris Peace Forum 2025. Throughout the morning, I delivered pictures from the venue for immediate use on social media to announce the EU’s participation. Filming continued during the day to capture the energy of the event, and by evening the complete video was online before the first day ended enabling real-time engagement while discussions were still ongoing.

The second instant-video centred on FPI’s high-level panel “Shielding Against Authoritarian Censorship: Resilience, Legitimacy, and Global Norms”, held at the Musée de la Marine. The session explored how authoritarian regimes control domestic information spaces and influence open societies abroad, while highlighting the EU’s role in defending a free, rights-based internet.

Finally, the wrap-up video was published a day after the event and was prepared on the last day and morning of my train ride home and brought the themes of the Forum together, focusing on freedom of speech, Ukraine, and the global struggle to sustain peace and democracy amid rising authoritarianism. It served as both a reflection and a call to action showing how free media and open dialogue remain vital instruments for peace.

Alongside the videos, I also delivered over 100 pictures before the end of the second day, responding in real time to requests from the FPI team on what was needed at each moment  from portraits and group shots to atmospheric impressions that visually supported FPI’s communication throughout the Forum.

Working at the heart of the Forum once again proved how Instant-Coverage can make diplomacy and policy dialogue visible, immediate, and human, turning each day’s discussions into stories that inspire collective action.

It was also a personal highlight to meet Jacinda Ardern again, the Former Prime Minister of New Zealand just as I did in 2023. She continues to be an inspiration to me in so many ways for her empathy, authenticity, and calm strength in leadership.

And on a special note, the final day of the Forum, 30 October 2025, marked the 11th anniversary of Doodt Media. Celebrating this milestone while filming at one of the world’s leading platforms for peace and global cooperation felt deeply symbolic  a reminder of how far this journey has come and how much more there is still to create.

​Thanks for reading this far and the best is yet to come.

At this year’s Energiewelten in Konstanz, I had the opportunity to cover the entire event — from inspiring talks and workshops to the interactive exhibition areas and regional innovation pitches. Throughout the day, I captured the atmosphere, conversations, and energy that filled the Bodenseeforum as participants explored new ideas around energy, mobility, and climate action.
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What made this project special was not only the same-day production but also a new technical workflow that I tested for the first time: delivering the Instant-Video in full 4K resolution.

Traditionally, Instant-Videos have always been produced in HD due to time constraints when offloading and editing large files on site. This new workflow now makes it possible to maintain the speed of delivery while working entirely in 4K. The upgrade provides a clear advantage allowing frame-accurate screenshots from footage, enhanced detail, and the ability to re-edit the material afterwards for institutional clients who require the highest production standards.

While sessions and discussions were still taking place, I was already selecting and cutting key moments to craft a summary of the event. By the time the closing ceremony began, the finished video was ready to premiere giving the audience an immediate and emotional recap of the day.

On 2 October 2025, I had the opportunity to produce full Instant-Coverage for the Civil Society Dialogue Network (CSDN) High-Level Policy Meeting in Brussels organised by the European Peacebuilding Liaison Office (EPLO) dedicated to The EU’s role in a shifting global order: Promoting peace through a strong Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda.
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The meeting marked the 25th anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 1325, bringing together high-level representatives from the EU institutions, international organisations, and civil society to discuss how the EU can further strengthen the Women, Peace and Security agenda in today’s evolving global context.

The Instant-Coverage production included:

• Two short videos produced and published on the same day
• 50 photographs capturing discussions, panels, and participants
• One longer wrap-up video released a week later as a comprehensive reflection on the event

The aim was to provide EPLO with a real-time visual communication package that could reach audiences while the dialogue was still ongoing — maximising visibility and engagement across social media.

The second video, released at 18:00, summarised the second half of the day, focusing on workshops and panel discussions that moved from evaluation to concrete recommendations.
The video illustrated how participants worked collaboratively to transform insights from the morning’s reflections into policy-oriented conclusions and practical recommendations for the future of the WPS agenda.

A week later, I produced the long-form wrap-up video titled “Advancing the Women, Peace and Security Agenda: Reflections on the Civil Society Dialogue Network High-Level Policy Meeting.”
The video showcased the breadth of perspectives shared during the day recognising achievements made since the adoption of Resolution 1325, while outlining the remaining challenges and the key steps forward for the EU and its partners.

In parallel with the video production, I delivered around 50 photographs throughout the day, documenting both formal and informal moments from keynote interventions and thematic discussions to spontaneous exchanges between participants.
The photos aimed to visualise the diversity and energy of the meeting, providing EPLO with both immediate communication assets and a visual archive for later publications.

The combination of same-day and follow-up content provided EPLO with a complete visual narrative of the event from live updates to in-depth reflection.
The reach and impact of the Instant-Coverage are currently being evaluated as part of a broader study on how real-time communication increases event visibility compared to traditional delayed publication.
Preliminary data already indicate that same-day posts significantly outperform delayed videos in impressions, engagement, and audience interaction, reinforcing the growing importance of timely content in institutional communication.

This certification is valid until 25 September 2026 and was issued by the Deutsche Industrie- und Handelskammer (DIHK). Most importantly, it is recognized across the European Union.

In public tenders, contracting authorities rarely know who the applicants are. By law, they must carefully verify every detail of submitted documents: company registration, financial standing, professional capacity, compliance with tax and social security obligations, and more.
This process is time-consuming and often creates unnecessary risks for both sides. If a document is missing or outdated, an otherwise strong bid can be excluded for purely formal reasons.
With the prequalification through AVPQ, this verification has already been completed in advance by an independent authority. It’s essentially a fastlane for paperwork – like the airport fast track, where you skip the line and head straight to the gate. Clients and contracting authorities can rely on the fact that my company’s reliability, financial capacity, and professional qualifications have already been vetted and confirmed.

This recognition is anchored in German and European procurement law:

• § 48 Abs. 8 Vergabeverordnung (VgV): establishes that contracting authorities must accept certificates of prequalification in place of repeated individual proofs.
• Directive 2014/24/EU, Article 64: allows Member States to maintain official lists of approved contractors or suppliers. A certificate of inclusion in such a list constitutes sufficient proof of a bidder’s suitability in other EU Member States as well.
• Directive 2014/24/EU, Article 60 and Annex XII: specify the type of evidence contracting authorities may request, and explicitly mention official prequalification systems as valid proof.

In practice, this means the AVPQ certificate is valid across Europe: any EU contracting authority is legally obliged to accept it as evidence of suitability.

This milestone brings two major benefits:
1. For EU clients and partners
Agencies, institutions, and consortia who are preparing tenders can strengthen their bids with a prequalified Key Expert. With 10+ years of experience, numerous projects under multi-annual EU framework contracts, and now official prequalification, I offer both a proven track record and a certification that reduces paperwork and adds credibility. By including me in their consortium, partners can be sure that the suitability requirements are already covered saving time and avoiding formal pitfalls.
2. For my own participation in tenders
Starting in 2026, I will also apply directly as a standalone operator for smaller tenders in Germany that I can deliver entirely myself. This allows me to combine my international framework experience with local opportunities where a lean, highly specialized operator is the right fit.

This prequalification is one step of many to come:

• Actively expanding my role in public tenders: from 2026 I will apply independently for small and medium-sized tenders in Germany.
  
• Strengthening collaborations with agencies and institutions: as a prequalified subcontractor and Key Expert, I will support partners in winning EU-level tenders where proven expertise and official certification make the difference.
  
• Positioning Doodt Media GmbH in the EU communication market: continuing to build on 10+ years of experience in multi-annual framework contracts and high-level events, while now offering the added assurance of official prequalification.
  

The certification gives me the legal fast track, but the real journey lies ahead for building projects, creating impactful communication, and supporting partners across Europe in turning ideas into visual stories that win tenders and inspire audiences.

By making it fast! Especially when it comes to political communication, timing is everything and the news need to go online about a meeting as soon as possible. That’s exactly why I developed my instant-coverage workflow that allows to deliver high-quality video and photography on the same day. 
​The project with the State Ministry of Baden-Württemberg and the International Lake Constance Conference (IBK) on June 26 and 27, 2025, was a great example of what this workflow can do.
From planning to delivery, I handled everything myself. This means the client had no need to coordinate a photographer, a videographer, an editor, and a project manager. I was all of that in one person, which not only kept communication smooth but also saved valuable time and budget.

On Thursday, June 26, I joined the delegation on the research vessel Komoran in Langenargen. The scientists from the Institute for Lake Research (LUBW) gave us an inside look at how the Quagga mussel is disrupting the ecosystem of Lake Constance.
I captured photos and video throughout the visit. By the evening of the same day, I had already delivered:

• 50 fully edited photos
  
• The first version of the event video for internal review
  

This meant the team already had visuals to use before the next day's main event had even started.
Photo Gallery: Science Visit on the Komoran

The next morning at 08:00, I arrived early in Kressbronn to set up for the official IBK Ministers' Strategy Meeting. The most important moment was the group photo of the State Secretaries. Since the goal was to have Lake Constance and the Alps clearly visible in the background, I used a three-flash setup to balance the bright daylight with professional lighting.
Everything was in place before the ministers arrived. The moment the group picture was taken, I edited it on-site and handed it over for immediate use in press releases.

During the meeting, I continued taking photos and editing in real time, checking in regularly with the communication team to see if anything specific was needed. I also implemented final feedback on the event video while the discussions were still going on.
By the time the meeting ended, I had delivered:

• Another 50 edited photos
  
• The final wrap-up video, fully approved and ready to publish
  

Before the event began, I created a teaser video to build momentum and invite people to attend. It was shared through the university's channels and helped generate early interest.

​During the conference itself, I produced an Instant Video on the first day that was shot, edited, and published the same evening. This short recap was not only shared online but also shown the next morning as an opening highlight for Day 2, giving participants a shared memory and renewed energy.

At the center of my contribution was a four-part video series designed to communicate the scientific and regional aspects of climate action in a visually engaging way:

1. From Samples to Data
   This video followed the journey from collecting environmental samples to analyzing them and generating usable climate data—offering a glimpse into the research processes behind climate monitoring.
2. Cascade Effects and Quagga Mussels
   This episode explored the ecological impact of invasive Quagga mussels in Lake Constance and how such small organisms can create large-scale ripple effects within the ecosystem and regional climate.
3. Lake Heat Systems: How Seethermie Works
   Filmed during the Mainau Climate Dialogue and in the region, this video gave an inside look at lake-based thermal energy systems—explaining how heat from the lake is harnessed and what role this technology could play in a sustainable energy future.
4. Ocean Currents and Climate Change
   The final part tackled global climate mechanisms, showing how ocean currents influence climate systems and how this knowledge is connected to regional understanding and policy.

Each video was carefully planned, shot, and edited to ensure clarity, depth, and accessibility—making complex scientific ideas easier to grasp for a broader audience.

​On the second day of the conference, I also took a complete set of photographs to document the event. These images are now available to the university for future use in reports, websites, press releases, and other communication efforts.

On 20 February 2025, I had the opportunity to provide Instant-Coverage for the European Peacebuilding Liaison Office (EPLO) at their high-level civil society meeting in Brussels. The event formed part of the European contribution to the UN Peacebuilding Architecture Review 2025 (PBAR), gathering peacebuilding voices from across the continent.
Fast, Relevant, and EngagingFor this event, I produced two short videos of approximately 60 seconds each:

• The first video was released during the coffee break at 12:00, capturing the early energy of the day and featuring voices on why civil society matters in shaping the UN Peacebuilding Architecture.
• The second video followed the closing remarks at 18:00, summarising the key takeaways and highlighting the call for local peacebuilders to be at the centre of implementation efforts.

Both videos were shared by EPLO on LinkedIn and generated strong engagement:

• 📹 First Instant-Video: 57 Likes, 1 Comment, 7 Reposts
• 📹 Second Instant-Video: 50 Likes, 13 Reposts

These results outperformed typical posts from previous years, clearly demonstrating how real-time storytelling increases reach and relevance.

Delivering More Than Just Videos
In addition to the instant clips, I also:

• Delivered a combined recap video the following afternoon (Friday), offering a broader overview of the event. This was then published on Monday, 24 February, helping to maintain post-event visibility.
• Provided 50 professionally edited photographs by the next morning, capturing key moments, speakers, and the collaborative atmosphere.

On 01.02.2025, I attended the Chapter Presidents' Meeting (Kreissprechertreffen) 2025 in Berlin as the chapter president of WJ Konstanz-Hegau, connecting with fellow leaders from JCI Baden-Württemberg and Wirtschaftsjunioren Deutschland. I filmed and edited an Instant-Video about the day to inform my local chapter members on what is happening and the Instant-Video went online the next morning while I was on my train back to Konstanz.
The reactions surprised me as well when it became the most watched video from our Instagram channel as well as the county channel of WJ Baden-Württemberg as well as WJ Germany. 

Click the link here to the Instant-Video on Instagram: www.instagram.com/p/DFkP3f3IdO2/

This once again proves the crucial point of Instant-Videos: If you want maximum visibility, event videos need to go live as soon as possible. The sooner people can relive the experience, the greater the impact. Waiting weeks to publish a recap means missing out on the momentum, the emotions, and the audience’s attention.

Thank you all for the great feedback and response for the video.

Luckily I was fully booked the second half of 2024 and all video updates about past projects like the EU Mission to Senegal, Filming at the Paris Peace Forum with a view on the Eiffel Tower or celebrating my 10th Anniversary in Brussels coming soon here on the blog.

In this sense thank you all for the amazing year and specially my project team from the Communication Facility and close collaboration to create all the videos together.