Delegation of Flanders to the USA

🌟Flanders is commited to the realization of the Einstein Telescope in the European Maas-Rijn region, as part of a broader international network of third generation gravitational wave detectors! It was an stimulating exchange on an exciting new frontier for transatlantic scientific cooperation! 🔭 Research Foundation Flanders - FWO Departement Kanselarij en Buitenlandse Zaken Flanders Chancellery and Foreign Office

🌍🌿 It’s a wrap! For 6 months I had the incredible opportunity to dive deeper into the intersection of #climate, #peace and #security. Working at the Climate, Peace and Security Unit within the UN Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) and the Climate Security Mechanism (#CSM)- a joint initiative by DPPA, DPO, UNDP and UN Environment Programme- has deepened my understanding of climate-related security risks, including their opportunities for peacebuilding. Here are a few of my standout moments of the past months: 👇 🔹 Assisting with the content and organisation of the recent climate, peace and security training for the United Nations Regional Office of Central Africa (UNOCA) and Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) 🔹 Coordinating with stakeholders in facilitating the launch of DPPA’s Climate, Peace and Security Dashboard 🔹 Monitoring and summarising key climate, peace and security-related developments during the UN General Assembly high-level week 🔹 Volunteering with the UN Department of Global Communications to assist at press conferences and the media center during the General Debate and high-level meetings of the General Assembly. 🔹 Attending an event on youth and climate, peace and security, hosted by UNDP in partnership with the CSM, Auswärtiges Amt (Federal Foreign Office) Germany, Ministero dell'Ambiente e della Sicurezza Energetica, Ministero degli Affari Esteri e della Cooperazione Internazionale, and adelphi. It’s worth keeping an eye on developments related to the recently established network to unite youth across the climate, peace and security fields led by Climate and Youth Activist, Nisreen Elsaim. A heartfelt shout out to my team Samuel Martell, Maha Skah, Japhet William Graham Eichel, Darragh Woods, Alexandra Fong and my CSM colleagues for their constant encouragement and support. This experience would have definitely not been the same without you! And of course, last but not least, a big thank you to the Delegation of Flanders to the USA for warmly welcoming me in New York and the FTP Flanders Trainee Programme for granting me a scholarship, making this opportunity feasible for me. If you are from Flanders and interested in an internship at a multilateral organisation (UN, OECD, European Commission, among others), then I highly recommend checking out more details about the scholarship here: https://lnkd.in/eMrpkqqW 

It was great to welcome Geert Noels and the Econopolis delegation yesterday at Flanders House during their U.S. study visit to explore the latest trends in the U.S. finance sector, economic outlooks, regulatory changes and election forecasts. As highlighted by our policy advisor Laurence Bielen, spurring prosperity and sustainable economic growth in Flanders remains a central priority in the new government coalition agreement. In ensuring these goals are met, the financial and public sector should join forces to tackle the challenges of a changing economic, geopolitical and technological environment. https://lnkd.in/efwe2anY A special thank you to Michael Green (Portfolio Manager & Chief Strategist, Simplify), Barry Ritholtz (Chairman & CIO, Ritholtz Wealth Management) and Daan Struyven (Co-Head of Global Commodities Research, Goldman Sachs) for their invaluable insights and enriching discussions. Flanders Investment & Trade - USA Flanders Chancellery and Foreign Office Departement Kanselarij en Buitenlandse Zaken

🌟 We are incredibly proud of our Fayat Ambassadors and their remarkable initiative! 🌟 Through the Fayat Scholarships, talented students are granted the opportunity to pursue their studies at some of the world's leading institutions. In doing so, they not only further their education but also become ambassadors for Flanders, enhancing our reputation as a top innovative region. Let’s celebrate their achievements and commitment to showcasing Flanders on the global stage! Serhat Yildirim Tijs Vangrunderbeek Olivia Dejonghe Lennert P. Charlotte Dierickx-Visschers #FayatScholarships #FlandersInnovation #FutureLeaders Harvard University Belgian Student Society Fayatbeurzen Flanders Chancellery and Foreign Office, Departement Kanselarij en Buitenlandse Zaken Consulate General of Belgium in New York Embassy of Belgium in the United States of America

Meet the team 💥 We are proud to introduce our team at the Delegation of Flanders in New York! There are a couple of new faces in the office that deserve a proper introduction. Please join us in welcoming them as they start their journey in the U.S! Read below and get to know the new team! Meet Paul Hegge, our new General Representative of Flanders to the USA since September. Previously, Paul has extensive experience in both the private and public sector. When he's not in the office, you might catch him scaling mountains in the great northern outdoors—an avid adventurer both at work and in life! 🧗 Meet Laurence Bielen, our new Policy Advisor at the Delegation of Flanders since August. Previously, Laurence worked in economic diplomacy at the Federal Public Service of Foreign Affairs in Brussels. In her free time Laurence enjoys exploring the cultural and culinary scene of the city and exploring the outdoors hiking/skiing or dog sitting the Golden Doodle of her sister. 🐶 Meet Hilde Platinck, our Office Manager at the Delegation of Flanders. The cornerstone of our team, Hilde has been with the Delegation the longest and ensures everything runs smoothly behind the scenes. Fun fact: she’s a huge Halloween fan, and her family takes themed costumes very seriously. Can’t wait to see what they come up with this year! 🎃 Meet Marie-Alix De Smedt, our newest Intern at the Delegation of Flanders. Marie previously studied social and economic sciences and is currently pursuing her second master’s degree in international relations and diplomacy. Marie loves to stay active, with skiing holidays topping her list of favorite getaways. She’s always up for the next adventure! ⛷️

🌎 Rotation of Flanders’ diplomats We are thrilled to announce that Paul Hegge has taken on the role of General Representative of Flanders to the USA in New York since September! He’s had a busy few weeks already, forging valuable connections and representing our region with enthusiasm and dedication. He attended the WOI memorial opening in Washington D.C. and hosted multiple side events at Flanders House in the margin of Summit for the Future, UNGA, and Climate Week. On top of that he had introduction meetings with numerous stakeholders. Check out some snapshots from his initial experiences below! Paul was previously active in the private sector, but re-entered the diplomatic career with this new function in New York where he will stay five years. For more updates on his work and diplomatic initiatives, be sure to follow the Government of Flanders and Flanders in the USA. https://lnkd.in/gKGgzSZk Flanders Chancellery and Foreign Office #flanders #diplomacy #internationalcooperation #globalisation

“Flanders leads the way in youth work, sharing its expertise on youth policies and activities globally. As a result, over a third of Flemish youth are reached by these initiatives,” stated the General Representative of Flanders. To place youth work on the international policy agenda, an inspiring UNGA side event was hosted with the Flemish Youth Council (Vlaamse Jeugdraad), Walloon Youth Forum (Forum des Jeunes BE) and the Permanent Representation of Belgium to the United Nations in New York. During this insightful session, speakers highlighted the crucial role of youth work in shaping sustainable development and empowering young people worldwide. The event featured a thought-provoking video interview with Professor Dr. Howard Williamson on linking youth work with policy. This was followed by a dynamic panel discussion with contributions from Jeetwan Tripathy from UNICEF, UN Youth Office’s Shihui Liu and youth delegates from Thailand, Ukraine, and Mexico. As we look ahead, we’re excited to see how these conversations will influence future policy and practice. Big thank you to the Belgian UN Youth Representatives Wouter Radeur and Sean Nart for hosting such a great event! Flanders Chancellery and Foreign Office #youthwork #UNGA #GlobalYouth #YouthEmpowerment #SustainableDevelopment #Flandershouse

🎉 Celebrating 600 Years of Excellence! 🎉 Yesterday, Flanders House had the honor of hosting a special event for KU Leuven, celebrating their remarkable 600th anniversary. The evening featured a panel discussion on the “Role of Universities for Truth & Science in Society,” where esteemed speakers, including Deputy Vice-Chancellor Prof. Peter Lievens and Professors Bieke Zaman and Gert-Jan Put, shared insights on KU Leuven’s enduring commitment to upholding truth and scientific integrity in today’s world. Paul Hegge, our General Representative at the Delegation of Flanders, opened the event with a powerful reminder: “In a world where AI often claims to hold the truth, universities must ensure that humans remain at the center of it.” This set the stage for an engaging discussion on the role of universities in a rapidly changing digital landscape. The discussions highlighted not only the university’s rich history but also its vision for the future as a leader in research and education. The KU Leuven International Scholarship Fund was also launched, aimed at supporting future generations of scholars with international ambitions. It was a fantastic opportunity for alumni and friends to connect, reflect, and celebrate the university’s legacy and contributions to society. A huge thank you to everyone who joined us and made this milestone celebration so memorable! #KULeuven #Anniversary #FlandersHouse #Networking

👩🏫 Tijdens de Week van het Nederlands (28/09-05/10) brengen we hulde aan onze taal. Ook hier in de VS wordt er Nederlands gesproken en aangeleerd. Wil je graag Nederlands leren? Klik dan op deze link: https://lnkd.in/enSH_Y5c Maak kans op een stripverhaal van Jommeke door ons een creatief filmpje door te sturen waarin een Nederlands spreekwoord wordt uitgelegd. Wat is jouw favoriete spreekwoord? Laat het ons weten in de comments! Bekijk ook zeker eens de website van Week van het Nederlands voor extra informatie over verschillende acties en evenementen deze week. #weekvanhetnederlands #wvhn #flandershousenyc 👩🏫 During Dutch Language Week (September 28 - October 5), we celebrate our language. Here in the US, Dutch is also spoken and taught. Would you like to learn Dutch? Click this link: https://lnkd.in/enSH_Y5c You can win a comic book of Jommeke by sending us a creative video explaining a Dutch proverb. What is your favorite proverb? Let us know in the comments! Be sure to check out the website of Week van het Nederlands for more information about various activities and events this week. #weekvanhetnederlands #wvhn #flandershousenyc

On 20 September, on the eve of the United Nations Summit of the Future, the Flanders Chancellery and Foreign Office, in collaboration with Regions4, organised the side event ‘Global Challenges, Regional Solutions - Regions leading on Future-proof policymaking’.  The inspiring event at Flanders House in New York demonstrated how regions - like Flanders - fulfil a crucial role in addressing global challenges.  Colleagues Hanne Bauters and Peter De Smedt and General Representative of Flanders Paul Hegge played prominent roles in the debate on future-proof policymaking.  Delegation of Flanders to the USA #SummitOfTheFuture #ShapingTheFuture #OurCommonFuture #Flanders #International