I’m the Academy’s contact person for questions about professional development from departments that fall under the Deputy Secretary-General (PSG). Their questions often relate to information security, communication and digital skills, for example. I can advise on all kinds of matters, including developing e-learning courses, and link up staff from different parts of the ministry who want to share knowledge and experience. I encourage this kind of partnership because, as a former consultant, I know how valuable it can be for organisations.

Furthermore, I support departments within the Directorate-General for European Cooperation (DGES) with the design and implementation of training courses, such as ‘Eastern Europe and Russia’ and ‘Central Europe and the Western Balkans’. This is mainly because my expertise is in the Eastern Europe and Western Balkans region and I develop and oversee training courses on Europe myself. 

Besides my advisory role within the Academy, I lead the language pilot: a project I get a lot of energy from! Besides speaking several languages myself, I am convinced that by investing in our colleagues on language and intercultural skills, we can make a stronger contribution to a more effective foreign policy for the Netherlands. Do you have questions about any of these topics or how you could organise or implement a training course the best?  Or would you just like to spar about learning with like-minded people? Please feel free to contact me.