I came into contact with Rikolto as a member of the board of The Shift, the first Belgian network in which private companies, NGOs and other civil society actors discussed sustainability issues. At that time I worked for Unilever in the area of sustainability. Working at the crossroads between environmental aspects, international relations and business has always been my main interest.
Rikolto has occasionally invited me to their strategic discussions on how to work with private companies and I've always liked the open spirit during those meetings. This is really one of the strengths of the organisation: to create settings in which all people around the table feel safe to express their vision, without being pinned down. Then a couple of years ago, I joined the General Assembly of Vredeilanden (now Rikolto in Belgium).
As a multi-lingual Dutch person I have lived, worked and studied in the UK, the US, Germany and The Netherlands, but currently live in Belgium. So I feel well connected with the many stakeholders of Rikolto in Belgium. I also braved the mountains of Nicaragua and the rice fields in Indonesia on my bike to raise funds for Rikolto's activities.
So I did not hesitate when I was asked to join the new International Board. Together with Koen Dolphen, I see myself as the link between the 'old' and the 'new' Rikolto and I understand Rikolto's way of working and thinking. I look forward to sharing my experience working with multi-stakeholder processes and communications.
