Pat Cox Fellowship

PPAATT C C O O X X F F E E L L L L OO W W S S HHIIPP

A propos du Parlement BLUEBOOK 2012

Table of Contents About 2 HIA by Judith Goldstein The Pat Cox Fellowship

Preliminary Comments 3 Mona Shair- Programme Director Lara Natale- Programme Coordinator

The Pat Cox Fellows Tosin Agbabiaka 4 Sami Asali 5 Julie Bernath 6 Tijana Bjeljac 7 Eefje de Kroon 8 Natasa Gavric 9 Perla-Yael Herskovits 10 Janine Husson 11 Alexandra Jastrzebska 12 Eamon McSweeney 13 Maelys Orellana 14 Linnea Riensberg 15 Willem van Golstein Brouwers 16

1 HIA by Judith Goldstein

Humanity in Action works at the international intersection of education and diversity to promote a new generation of global leaders. Through its highly regarded international fellowship programs, conferences and expansive global network, HIA engages the aspirations of university students and young professionals to confront the complex challenges of pluralistic, democratic societies.

HIA organizes programs in many countries that have tragic histories grounded in racial, religious and ethnic conflicts—conflicts that have too frequently resulted in mass violence, ethnic cleansing and genocide. The Holocaust is the primary historic reference for the five programs in Europe as they connect past to present, with the conviction that knowledge leads to action. This educational focus is critically important today in many societies that are challenged by the economic, political, cultural and religious impact of large-scale migrations.

Over 14 years, and now with over 1200 Fellows, HIA has built a unique and vibrant global network of students, young professionals and experts in diverse fields including diplomacy, government, communications, public health, international law, transitional justice, NGOs, and reconciliation.

Humanity in Action confronts the challenges of diversity within the broad context of human rights and promotes the values of diversity, civic engagement, individual responsibility and collaborative ACTION.

Judith Goldstein, HIA Co-Founder

The Pat Cox Fellowship

Now in its eighth year, the Pat Cox Fellowship Program aims to familiarize a coming generation of international leaders in humanitarian action with the European Parliament’s dedicated commitment to human rights throughout the world. The Pat Cox Fellowship is a two-part program in which Fellows work in the offices of MEPs from Mondays to Thursdays and participate in a high caliber lecture series on Fridays. With the support of our patron Pat Cox and an active board we look forward to strengthening our network within the European Parliament. We are also very grateful for the support of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation and look forward to continuing our cooperation with them in future. Should you want to learn more about the program, or need an intern for the beginning of 2013, than please contact Mona Shair: [email protected] / www.humanityinaction.org/programs/9-pat-cox-HIA-fellowship 2

It may be my sixth year leading the Pat Cox Fellowship Program, but 2012 has been special, with many “firsts”! This intake was the largest ever, with 13 Fellows from 7 different nationalities working for MEPs from 9 European countries!

Among the cohort, we have an Irish student from University College Cork and we placed a Pat Cox Fellow in the Migration Policy Group. New organizations were added to the Friday lecture series: we arranged presentations with Google, Climate Action Network, Open Society Institute and the International Centre for Transitional Justice amongst others. Moreover we have been lucky to have an excellent program coordinator supervise the Fellows and the lectures.

Alongside the “firsts”, we also, have many “once agains”: we sincerely thank Pat Cox, our Patron, for his dedication and are grateful to the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for their support. We appreciate the efforts, time and openness of the Friday Lecture speakers.

As always we have an excellent group of motivated and The Pat Cox Fellowship Program is an incredible opportunity to acquire competent HIA Fellows and we look forward to another an inside-out and outside-in perspective of the top- down approach to excellent and exciting year ahead! EU Policymaking.

Mona Shair, Programme Director As Coordinator, and not a previous HIA Fellow, I, in turn, have had the unique chance to apply both a birds' eye view and zoom-lens focus on

HIA's own European endeavors from the bottom-up. In getting to know the Fellows, interacting with the staff, lobbying offices and liaising

with speakers old and new, links with the organization are established

or reaffirmed. I personally have been most impressed by how the network of Senior Fellows from years past and present look out for each other and by how receptive high-profile speakers are to our own ideas in exchange for their time and insight: it speaks volumes about the work done in years past to ensure the Fellowship is a recognized launch pad for a successful career applying rounded understanding of minority rights issues.

My learning curve has thus been parallel to that of the Fellows. Backed by a very supportive director, I feel lucky to have made a small contribution to HIA, and hope the Fellows are equally grateful to be part of an ever-fresh and relevant initiative.

Lara Natale, Programme Coordinator

Tosin Agbabiaka Danish Summer Fellowship 2011 Nigeria; USA [email protected]

Antonyia Parvanova, ALDE Vice-President, ALDE; Public Health and the Environment; Women's Rights

“If he moves and sings, and if he, like Usher would say, ‘makes you feel it in your body and is someone that makes you change your ways’; then you know

it’s Tosin baby! Elegant and charismatic, he brings an American touch to the fellowship, sharing deep thoughts with ease.”

BIO Born in Lagos, Nigeria, and later relocating to Katy, Texas, ASPIRATIONS After completing the Pat Cox INTERESTS Singing soul Tosin’s position straddling the line between unique cultural Fellowship, Tosin will begin a year-long Fulbright music under his breath; identities continually shapes his intellectual pursuits and social Scholarship project in Greece and Belgium, reading protest literature; conducting a comparative analysis of Federalism in justice motivations. He obtained a Bachelor's Degree in English laughing; shortbread the EU and the United States of America through the and Minors in Sociology and Music from Duke University, lens of immigration and asylum policies, their cookies concentrating on third world, postcolonial, and protest literature. implementation mechanisms, and the law. Pursuing His immersive experiences studying Arab literature and culture in a law education and working on transatlantic policy Egypt and working for and with immigrant communities in issues in some capacity is in his distant future, as is Ireland furthered his passionate exploration of cross-cultural opening up a boutique with an eclectic collection of intersections. Working in numerous consultancies across the clothing, books, and general knickknacks. government, non-governmental, and private sectors in Pennsylvania through the Coro Fellows Program in Public Affairs thrust his professional interests decidedly towards public policy. “More than anyone I know, James Baldwin, the African American writer and activist, embodied the qualities in a human being that I find most He further whittled his interests down to European public affairs admirable...and enviable. Fiercely devoted to publicizing and remedying the and migration policy through the Humanity in Action summer injustices of his time, eloquent in speech and writing, passionate, selfless, fellowship and the current Pat Cox fellowship. inconceivably intellectually gifted, and incredibly accessible to all, Baldwin has unwaveringly remained my ideal model of leadership.”

Sami Asali American Summer Fellowship 2009 France [email protected]

Alexandra Thein, ALDE Legal Affairs; Palestinian Legislative Council; Israel; Mashreq Countries

“Always thought the well-known clichés of French people were true? Just meet Sami and you'll understand they're not. He embodies the beauty of French people: discrete but friendly, he pursues his goals with determination."

BIO Born and raised in Essonne (suburban Paris), Sami moved to ASPIRATIONS After working in INTERESTS Traveling...over and the "big city" at 18 years-old to pursue his academic studies. He various institutions in Paris, Beirut over again obtained a B.A. in economics and social sciences (2008) and then and Brussels, Sami is currently graduated with a degree in international relations and European looking for government/NGO affairs at Paris-Sorbonne (2011). In the past three years, Sami has positions in the various fields of his focused on Middle East studies through his education and interest (political cooperation, professional experience. He notably studied and worked for a few human rights, development), months in Beirut, Lebanon in 2010. Back in France, he worked for preferably in Europe, the Near East, a year at the Ministry of Ecology and Sustainable Development, or the USA. focusing on Euro-Med cooperation and projects alongside his master's courses. He then joined the Pat Cox internship programme in early 2012 and worked for Alexandra Thein, “Stéphane Hessel, for his struggle for social justice in France and beyond, for using German ALDE MEP, member of the delegations for relations to his long-lasting diplomatic and intellectual influence to promote universalism, the Israel, the occupied Palestinian territories, Iraq and Mashreq respect of international law and human dignity worldwide (more specifically in the countries (Lebanon, Syria, Egypt). Near East today)”

Julie Bernath German Summer Fellowship 2009 Germany; Switzerland [email protected]

Birgit Sippel, S&D Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs; Employment and Social Affairs

“Authenticity– this word defines Julie in her moves and thoughts. She is a broad

minded original aspirant, full of consideration towards the earth, caring and grateful to people and true to her humanistic beliefs… a dear friend I trust and admire.”

BIO Julie Bernath graduated in June 2011 with a Research ASPIRATIONS Julie plans to begin a INTERESTS When she is not sitting in Master's degree in political sciences from Sciences Po Paris. She doctoral thesis on victims’ libraries or offices, Julie loves to has focused her studies on human rights, transitional justice and participation in transitional justice spend time in nature, to read and to development. Growing up in Cambodia during the 1990s brought mechanisms in September 2012. dance. her in contact with the overshadowing past of the Khmer Rouge Concurrently, she will continue to regime. When the Khmer Rouge Tribunal was established in support the activities of “Ksaem 2006, she began to follow its proceedings through field research for her Bachelor's dissertation and Master's thesis, and as an Ksan”, a victims association in intern and, afterward, as a Consultant at the Tribunal’s Public Cambodia. Affairs section. In Brussels, she was happy to discover the inner “I was very much inspired by Reach Sambath, the former Chief of the Public workings of a Parliament and broaden her knowledge of the EU Affairs Section of the Khmer Rouge Tribunal. Despite the loss of his parents through the Pat Cox fellowship· during the Khmer Rouge regime, he was a person of extraordinary strength,

generosity and kindness who was dedicated to conveying the Court’s proceedings throughout Cambodia and abroad.”

Tijana Bjeljac Dutch Summer Fellowship 2010 Bosnia & Herzegovina [email protected]

Eduard Kukan, EPP Chair, Delegation for Relations with the Western Balkan Countries

“Speaking her ideas out loudly, Tijana engages with the path of taking action.

She can certainly achieve a lot, thanks to her motivation and manner of interacting with people, and I see her as a potential political leader in the

Balkans”

BIO Tijana was born in 1988 in Banja Luka, Bosnia and ASPIRATIONS Tijana plans to pursue INTERESTS Painting; photography; Herzegovina. She is a student in her final year at the Faculty a Master's degree in European fashion design; jewelry making; of Political Sciences at the University in Banja Luka - Studies. She is interested in writing short stories General Department. She has six years of experience in diplomacy and international youth activism, mainly in the fields of youth information and relations, with a special focus on non formal education for entrepreneurship. She also worked Western Balkan countries in global as a PR at a local NGO, a speaker at the radio station and political contexts. the Career Centre Coordinator at the University in Banja

Luka. “Coco Chanel, when everybody thought huge hats, she thought - small ones... and she was right! An idea for change does not have to come from the majority but can merely come from one's genius.”

Eefje de Kroon Dutch Summer Fellowship 2011 The Netherlands [email protected]

Migration Policy Group Co-author, Guide to Locating Migration Policies in the European Commission

“In her conversations, questions, debates and compliments, Eefje shows an amazing combination of being critical and friendly at the same time. For this,

and many other reasons, she has been a real source of inspiration in our group and she will surely be in her future surroundings."

BIO Eefje was born in The Netherlands, in a small village near ASPIRATIONS Eefje wishes to combine INTERESTS Aside from Eefje's personal Utrecht. After finishing high school, Eefje wanted to attend the her passions, strengths and challenges. devotion to human rights in her own academy of arts but was persuaded to learn a ‘real craft’, and Currently those are (legal) research and community, she also enjoys yoga, good therefore went to law school. After noticing that law was not that policy making. She is passionate about food, and, above all, traveling. She tedious, and human rights law was an interesting niche, she human rights related to civil liberties, loves trips to destinations near and far pursued a Master's in Public International law. In doing an discrimination and education. She sees where she can learn about different internship at an international human rights organization, Eefje her future self in a multicultural, cultures and people. Her next trip will learned about enforced disappearances and thereby developed a international, political environment. probably be to South America, where passion. She subsequently wrote her Master's thesis on the ‘right She is currently working with another she will improve her Spanish and to truth’ with regard to enforced disappearances whereupon she fellow on a project on children's hopefully gain working experience was invited to conduct research on victims' perspectives in education around homosexuality· Indonesia, where she became interested in transitional justice and victims’ rights and participation. Back in the Netherlands, Eefje “A group of people that has inspired -and still inspires- me greatly both became involved in anti-discrimination and diversity issues and professionally and personally are my former colleagues in Indonesia. international-political affairs. Currently, she is focusing on They do amazing work of protecting victims and society—for which they at times European law and policies with respect to migration and asylum. sacrifice their own safety—but they do this with the greatest perseverance, and with everlasting courtesy and contagious happiness.”

Natasa Gavric German Summer Fellowship 2011 Bosnia & Herzegovina [email protected]

Baroness Sarah Ludford, ALDE Vice-Chair, Delegation for relations with USA; Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs

“Time flies, people change, and smart people develop. Natasa has done so ever since I met her five years ago and she will develop in the future even more, but her friendly spirit and open mind will always remain the same!”

BIO Natasa comes from Bosnia and Herzegovina, where she ASPIRATIONS Natasha will complete INTERESTS Apart from her aspirations, finished her B.A .in Law. Currently, she is pursuing her Master's her Master's degree soon, after which she will stay involved in projects studies in Belgrade, Serbia. During her studies, she always she will begin her search for a job with a concerning youth policy and legal focus. She does not, however, wanted to study and live abroad. The wish came true when she international cooperation. think that this is the end of her found out that she was awarded the scholarship "Go Styria"— an education. Natasha will try to use all award given to recognized excellent students from South East the opportunities offered to her from Europe in 2010. She became aware how important international these experiences to expand her experience for young people is and applied and was accepted to knowledge and become a better participate in "Humanity in Action" summer program in Berlin professional. 2011. This program focused on human and minority rights from a historic and contemporary perspective. Apart from studying, she is an active member of an NGO “Center for Environment." “A charismatic leader and good person in my mind is the Serbian Prime Minister Dr Zoran Djindjic. Coming into power in a very difficult period for his country, he was decisive in making a change and fighting for democratic values in the society. He led a policy in favor of peaceful conflict resolution and peace in the region, which earned him respect around the world”

Perla -Yael Herskovits German Summer Fellowship 2011 Germany [email protected]

Hannes Swoboda, S&D President, S&D; Conference of the Presidents; Foreign Affairs

“Smart, cute and sensitive, Yael “feels” things. Her intuition and experience combined make her appear as an energetic sunbeam that connects people, takes care of those in her surroundings, and pursues a simple, healthy and

conscious lifestyle. Every time I picture the passionate and dedicated hard worker that she is, she happens to be smiling.

BIO Yael studied International and Comparative Politics and ASPIRATIONS Yael's career path will INTERESTS Civil disobedience, really Development Studies as well as International Law in Paris and for hopefully be a reflection of her plentiful getting to know people, writing and a short while in Shanghai. She focused most of her projects and wide-ranging interests. Having directing, traveling with a meaning, worked on her first book for the greater around human rights law, particularly torture, refugee rights, reading, working with/for children and part of 2010 and 2011, she is very youth, theatre, cooking for those dear women's rights and the trade off between freedom of religion excited to be back in the social world! to me, fashion, photography and and other human rights. Fascinated by the intersection of the Eventually, Yael would love to become learning new things! . legal, sociological and psychological fields, Yael has extensively a professor at a university, but, in the researched peace building, namely conflict resolution, meantime, she looks forward to staying negotiations and transitional justice mechanism predominantly in politically engaged and active in civil

China and the Middle East. As some of her main passions being society. theatre, photography and poetry, it is no surprise that her prior “I get inspired by the people who have integrity. Critical thinkers, who work experience also revolved around cultural work with youths acknowledge complexities and in the face of challenges stand up amongst others and act; lifelong learners with open-ended curiosity-passionate, ingenious, and cultural policies on state and intergovernmental levels. resilient, generous/caring people who nevertheless have humility... The people having the ability to feel and express joy. All of them are "so much of the world that they are for it."

Janine Husson Dutch Summer Fellowship 2011 The Netherlands [email protected]

Ioan Mircea Pașcu, S&D Foreign Affairs; NATO; Security and Defense; Japan

“Constantly, Janine strikes a perfect balance between hilarious and absurd, professional and whimsically playful, or critical and indiscriminately loving in a manner that causes everyone of us around her to stare longingly as we would at a ballerina---not just because of the difficulty of the feat but because of how effortless she makes it seem, how beautiful she appears through it all, and how much she challenges us by her example to be a little more daring.”

BIO Janine was born in Eindhoven, the Netherlands and, after A SPIRATIONS Janine is planning on INTERESTS: Outside of her busy finishing secondary school, decided to try her luck at studying staying in Brussels and attempting working life, Janine loves to play sports law. This however soon bored her and she switched to a liberal to find a job (or a paid traineeship) and especially enjoys flying in the park arts college where she could delve deeper into multiple at the moment. She aims to find on a sunny day. Other than that she disciplines. During her bachelor she realized that her main loves to travel and is saving, as much as work that is in some way research- interest lay in International Relations and, as such, she went on to one can when doing an unpaid related and would love to work in complete a Master's degree in International Relations at the internship, and planning for a trip to the Parliament for a longer period of University of Amsterdam. During her degree, she studied and Asia as soon as possible. worked as a research assistant at Waseda University in Tokyo, time. Japan, which generated her particular interest in Japanese “Barack Obama; Not only was he the first African American to hold the position of international and cultural relations (and eating sushi!). As for her President, but in 2009, he became only the third sitting U.S. President to receive the experience in European Affairs; she did an internship at ICODA Nobel Peace Prize—while managing two wars” European Affairs, which increased her familiarity with European lobbying processes and European Union law. This was useful for getting accustomed to her current traineeship in the Parliament.

Alexandra Jastrzebska French Summer Fellowship 2010 France; Poland [email protected]

Cătălin Sorin Ivan, S&D Education and Culture Committee; Delegation for the Andean countries

"This girl lives for what she loves the most: flying... with Acro(batic)Yoga. She is honest but sweet, straightforward but not offensive and she is always reflecting on the things she is working on. “Ola” is a real European: somewhere in between French, Polish, Spanish and everything else you can imagine, always traveling around, meeting new inspiring people - and in the end: inspiring everyone around her!"

BIO Born and raised in Paris, Alexandra has Polish blood, which ASPIRATIONS A foot in the field, the INTERESTS In her spare time, she likes increased her awareness of intercultural matters early on. She other in decision-making institutions, to practice yoga, acroyoga and became interested in civil society and grass roots organizations she feels her vocation is in non-formal discover circus arts. She also devotes education and lifelong learning, to under different political regimes and got involved with many time to cooking, learning about promote education to human rights, to permaculture (ecological sustainable associations and NGOs promoting inclusive education and social democratic citizenship and active design) and traveling with various cohesion. participation. She is determined also to purposes. Existing mobility programmes gave her a chance to study on an become an entrepreneur, opening a Erasmus exchange in Ireland, conduct a European Voluntary cultural and eco friendly hostel. Service in Spain, and travel, notably to locations in which the

Youth in Action umbrella would cover an issue of her interest. “I was inspired by Alejandro Jodorowsky’s books on the power of imagination to Meanwhile, she studied humanities at the Sorbonne, and break reality and challenge mind pre-conceptions. obtained a Master's in International Cooperation at the University I consider it a key factor in social transformation.” of Barcelona. She also took part in a few documentaries on the EU integration process, thereby raising her European and global awareness.

Eamon McSweeney University College Cork Ireland [email protected]

Phil Prendergast, S&D Internal Market and Consumer Protection, Delegation for relations with USA

“Eamon is special, not only because he is smart, Irish and funny, but also because he did not participate in the HIA summer programme. Recently, he said that 'HIA people care too much,' which I took to mean that we have difficulties living with social injustices and can be rather intense about this. Whether Eamon likes it or not, however, he too is now part of the HIA family, which is everlasting, and, actually, I think he cares just as much!”

BIO Hailing from Cork in Ireland, Eamon returned to education as ASPIRATIONS Since reentering INTERESTS Football has always been a a mature student, attending college at University College Cork education in 2007, Eamon has had an part of Eamon's life and being a part from 2007 to 2011. He gained a joint Bachelor of Arts degree in interest in politics. A career around this owner of his local football club, Cork field would be the ultimate goal from City FC, in the fans-run group FORAS history and politics and then recently finished a Master's in his educational background. Forging a ensures his involvement in the sport. international relations and diplomacy. This has lead Eamon to the career in or around the European Union Music is another interest of his. Humanity in Action Pat Cox fellowship and an internship with Phil is a goal of Eamon's. Other projects for Although he was active in the music Prendergast MEP’s office. He comes from a background of the future include becoming involved in scene in his home town of Cork playing involvement in grass roots politics in his local area of Carrignavar music again as a drummer. He also has the drums in bands, since moving to back in Cork where he served as assistant secretary of the local an ambition of becoming more Brussels he has lost this element. He community council. He also spent several years as a leader in his involved in Cork City Football Club in hopes to become involved again in the some capacity. future. local Scout troop. Football is his main interest and he is a proud member of FORAS, the fans-run trust that owns and operates . “The leaders who inspire me are the ones I meet at a more local level in Cork City Football Club. When he can, Eamon acts as a match communities, like the leader of my local community council in Carrignavar who night volunteer for the club. undertakes a thankless task to represent the community and try to create

improvement. It is these thousands of local leaders who make society a better and more inclusive place.”

Maelys Orellana French Summer Fellowship 2011 France [email protected]

Norica Nicolai, ALDE Vice-Chair of Subcommittee on Security and Defense; Foreign Affairs

“Maelys's reserved nature belies knowledge far beyond her years. Her strong character and determination allow Maelys to achieve anything she sets her mind to do. Funny, smart and attractive in equal measure, she is an asset in any situation in which she finds herself.”

BIO Maelys was born 22 years ago, to a French mother and a ASPIRATIONS After the Pat-Cox HIA INTERESTS As for her hobbies, she has Chilean father. She grew up in a southern suburb of Paris. She fellowship, she will go back to been practicing horse-riding since she holds a Literature high-school diploma and moved to Grenoble in university for 2 more years to complete was 3 years-old. She needs to see live a Master's in International Cooperation 2008 where she graduated with a joint-bachelor in Law music regularly, and loves being at the and/or human rights. She wants to be (specialization in International law, administration and politics) able to develop projects abroad, with sea or in the mountains, preferably if and Languages (specialization in English and Spanish). She then educational, cultural and legal they are abroad! decided to take the year 2011-2012 off college in order to get approaches, to help build more more insight into the professional world before completing a peaceful societies. Master's degree. Throughout the last couple of years, her personal and academic experiences shaped her interests in “Joan Baez- she is an American singer, who started to be a human rights activist international relations and human rights issues, although she is when she was still a teenager, and devoted her musical career (and life in general!) curious and eager to learn about...basically everything! to spreading peace and liberty values. Her face, her voice, her music...

Everything about her expresses beauty along with revolt, kindness and consciousness, sensitivity and strength. “

Linnea Riensberg German Summer Fellowship 2011 Germany [email protected]

Luigi Berlinguer, S&D Vice-Chair, Committee on Legal Affairs; Delegations on Relations with India

“Linnea’s appearance gives away her true nature. After a few minutes of talking to her I knew her to be a kind, sincere person. Aside from that, she is outgoing, multi-interested, always accepting a challenge, and just a little bit impatient. Linnea is always in for meeting new people and exploring new places. If I would have to quote Linnea in one sentence, it would be: ‘Follow me!’” BIO Linnea Riensberg, born in Hamburg, Germany, holds a MA in ASPIRATIONS She must work on INTERESTS Linnea loves to take Journalism, Communication Studies and Philosophy from the topics she believes in- democratization, pictures, dancing, skiing or hiking in University of Hamburg. While studying in Bayreuth, Hamburg and empowering youth, and freedom of the Dolomites (where her parents live), speech. Her perfect working situation Aarhus she focused on media ethics and political philosophy cooking three-course meals, reading would be an 80% position as a newspapers and books, going to the (specifically moral responsibility, power and universal human consultant or policy adviser in one of theatre or movies - or just lying down rights). She wrote her Master's thesis on 'Dimensions of the fields she feels confident in and in the park to listen to music and enjoy Journalistic Responsibility' and is currently working on her PhD simultaneously finishing her PhD. She the warm sun. thesis on 'Journalism and Media within Globalization'. Linnea has needs to have a base from where she worked as a (broadcast) journalist and as a moderator and project can hop around the world - to change manager for diverse participation projects in the field of political the world into a better place while enjoying life at same time. involvement of children and teenagers, media competence and historical awareness. While working for MEP Mr. Berlinguer, she “Back home, I'm working on a rediscovery of a 'forgotten' German politician- concentrated on copyright issues like ACTA and freedom of Peter Blachstein: A Jewish socialist journalist, who was in a concentration camp, speech in general. flew to several European countries and fought in the Spanish civil war before going back to Germany to become a MP and ambassador. He always fought for his ideals without becoming a party loyalist and the topics he wrote and talked about are still so relevant and up to date that it frightens me sometimes..”

Willem van Golstein Brouwers Dutch Summer Fellowship 2009 The Netherlands [email protected]

Marietje Schaake, ALDE Culture and Education; Delegation for relations with USA

“Willem gives off the impression of an intellectual person from the very first sight of him. I would characterize him as a young man with strong communication abilities and a keen interest in European politics. His unique curiosity about everything in this world is impressive. Such a person will definitely be successful in everything he does. “

BIO Willem grew up in a small village in the Netherlands. ASPIRATIONS Willem will be receiving INTERESTS Willem's other interests Curiosity for other cultures moved him to apply for an his MSc in International Relations in include music, traveling and reading international liberal arts and sciences program at the University May 2012. Having had the opportunity the newspaper. He also enjoys playing to do internships in public policy and College in Utrecht. After graduation, he joined Humanity in sports and meeting new people. politics, he hopes to find a position Action, an international human rights student network. In 2010, within a commercial and international Willem enrolled in a graduate program at the University of company. There, he will seek to Amsterdam to deepen his understanding of international approach his interests for international relations. He wrote his dissertation on international and domestic politics, security and human rights from threats as perceived by the Iranian regime, for which he did field a new perspective. work in Tehran. He will be graduating with honors in May 2012.

Before moving to Brussels, Willem was an intern at the Non- “A long time ago, a friend who had been moving from place to place for most of his life was Proliferation and Arms Export Control division at Security Policy asked a question about friendship. How was he able to make so many friends, knowing that Department of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Currently, he would have to leave them at some point? “It's easy”, he said, “you never really leave a he is a trainee in the office of Marietje Schaake MEP at the true friend, because a will see a true friend again someday.” European Parliament, where he focuses on Foreign Affairs.

Produced and edited by Tosin Agbabiaka & Alexandra Jastrzebska With the contribution of all of the programme’s fellows And the support of the Friedrich Naumann Stiftung