Dev Diary #23: Introducing: the High School Director
Hello Atlantic Forum Community,
I am very happy and eager to introduce myself as the new coordinator for the equally new High School Program on NATO and multilateral negotiations.
My name is Jelle-Jochem Duits, but please feel free to call me JJ. I am a Dutch young professional with experience in community engagement, political analysis, public management and peacebuilding in conflict areas. After concluding my Master Public Management & Policy at the Catholic University of Leuven, I worked for four years in South Sudan for the United Nations Mission, first as Project Officer, later as Civil Affairs Officer.
There I developed a huge passion for working with marginalized groups and for working with youth. I am very eager to use my acquired skills and knowledge to make the High School Programme a success and to inspire students to take an interest in multilateral diplomacy and NATO. Before going to Africa, I had previous experience training students in Public Speaking, Negotiations and International Relations. In South Sudan I developed these skills further through organizing and conducting workshops for local officials, youths and women. For the Atlantic Forum I’ll be coordinating with the HSP trainers and with our school-partners, as well as training students myself.
Read more about the High School Program in Dev Diary #14!
In terms of the High School Program, our main objective is to implement a compelling and attractive program that will become one of the pillars of the Atlantic Forum. I am looking forward to be working with our newly minted trainers, trained at Clingendael last Frday, and those who will receive their training in February 2020. I am sure that with our combined effort we can provide an educational package with realistic simulations which will inform our students about NATO and prepare them for the future.
With JJ joining the team we also say good bye to Sante #SAD. Sante joined the team over summer to build the academy's framework and lay the foundation of the high school program. When he joined we agreed that he would only lay the foundation, but leave the execution to others as his career was developing in a positive direction. We thank him for the work he has done. Sante will remain a Patron and will keep on following the activities.