Faces of Clingendael: Sebastiaan Olislagers
Who are the hard-working people at the Clingendael Institute? We offer you a peek behind the scenes in our series Faces of Clingendael. Today with Senior Academy Fellow Sebastiaan Olislagers
"Contributing to people’s learning and development is the most amazing thing there is to me."
What is your role?
I work across two Clingendael Academy programmes: the Diplomacy Programme and the International Security and Capacity Building Programme. I provide training and capacity building for professionals in various fields of international affairs, with a primary focus on diplomats and security-sector professionals.
What motivates you to do this job?
The intersection between the worlds of diplomacy and security is particularly fascinating to me. What motivates me most is that, at the Academy, we help professionals from both domains better understand one another and gain insight into each other’s perspectives and concerns, ultimately enhancing their effectiveness and cooperation. Contributing to people’s learning and development is the most amazing thing there is to me.
What are your interests outside of work?
I like going to the beach and on walks. I also do sports multiple times a week, that really empties my mind. Other than that, seeing family and friends outside of work is really important to me. I became a proud uncle a year ago, so I have been spending a lot of time with my nephew.
What advice would you give to people aspiring to work in your field?
People that would like to work in this field should have a passion for education but also have a deep interest in an international dimension such as international law, politics, sustainability or international development. If you have that, you will fit in here. Broader advice is to do what makes you happy. Find a job that you go to every morning with a smile on your face. Explore what sparks your interest, and don’t hesitate to try out different things through internships.
How do you notice your job makes an impact?
I travel to Viet Nam regularly to work together with law enforcement officials on the implementation of the UN Convention Against Torture. It is one of my favourite programs because it contributes directly to strengthening the implementation of an important international treaty. In the context of our diplomatic trainings, I believe Clingendael Academy plays an important role for the Netherlands’ public diplomacy. When a Dutch diplomat abroad meets a colleague who followed a training at the Clingendael, it shapes a bond. They can talk about the park, the geese, and the trainers.
